Bertram “Buddy” Carlos Finch III, M.D., 78, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Justine Blow Finch, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
His Memorial Service will be held Thursday, March 30, 2023, in First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting Street, Charleston, at 2:00 in the afternoon. The family will receive friends after the service in Molly Weir Fellowship Hall. Interment will be private.
The oldest of five children, Buddy was born January 17, 1945. He was the son of the late Bertram Carlos Finch, Jr. and the late Dorothy Falls Finch. Buddy was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, while his father was interned as a POW during World War II. After his father returned to the United States, the family moved to Charlotte, where Buddy spent his formative years. In 1963, he graduated from Myers Park High School where he played football and was a member of the Student Council, Hi-Y, Key Club, and National Honor Society.
Buddy attended Davidson College after high school and graduated in 1967 with a BS in PreMed. He entered the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and earned an MD degree in 1971. Although Buddy was attracted to several medical specialties, he embraced Obstetrics and Gynecology. One week after earning his medical degree from UNC, Buddy married Justine Blow from Smithfield, North Carolina. They moved to Charleston, where Buddy continued his training with a one-year general medical internship and a four-year OB-GYN residency under the leadership of Dr. Lawrence Hester at the Medical University of South Carolina. During residency, many enduring bonds were formed with other doctors who were experiencing the same grueling hours and challenges. Throughout his life, Buddy cherished friendships and camaraderie with these fellow physicians.
After residency, Buddy’s deferred military service was activated by the United States Army Medical Corps. He served two years as a Major in Wurzburg, Germany. After deciding to make Charleston their permanent home, Buddy and Justine returned from Germany in 1978 with two daughters, Kathryn Leigh Finch and Justine Lindsay Finch.
Buddy joined Dr. Fraser Wilson and Dr. Watson Finger in their private OB-GYN practice. He later joined Dr. Edward Huggins and practiced with Dr. James Townsend, Dr. Granger Osborne, and others during his 36 years as a dedicated Obstetrics and Gynecology physician in the Charleston community.
Buddy Finch was honest, kind, and trustworthy with a quick wit and a warm smile. Foremost, he was a family man, always prioritizing his experiences with his daughters and wife over other events or obligations. He was an active member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and an Elder. Buddy enjoyed exploring the waterways and surrounding islands near Charleston while sailing and motorboating. He also was privileged to join a group that spent multiple years of fellowship and fly fishing in Alaska. Buddy’s favorite vacations were bareboating with his family in tropical destinations.
For the last 14 years, he was proud of his new name, Pop, as he became a grandfather to two boys and two girls. He loved to visit them in Charlotte and California. Buddy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Justine; two daughters: Kathryn Finch Mileham, M.D. (Dunn) of Charlotte, NC and Justine Lindsay Trout (Carter) of San Mateo, CA; four grandchildren: Wells and Cooper Mileham and Ella and Charlotte Trout; one sister, Melinda Finch Adkins (Chuck) of Charlotte, NC; two brothers: David Ralls Finch (Eddie Lynn) of Charlotte, NC and William Douglas Finch (Cathy) of Pensacola, FL; brother-in-law, Gordon Lowry Blow (Wanda) of Smithfield, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Susan Finch Caskey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.