Mr

"Patient Charles Nuttycombe walks down a hall at the Peninsula Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News on July 11, about 24 hours after having his right hip replaced. Physical therapist Todd Chopp and technician Sharron Walker help".

IMAGE BY STEVE EARLEY, THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

When failing hips give out, the surgeons step in - gently

By NANCY YOUNG, The Virginian-Pilot
© July 24, 2006

One week after a total hip replacement, Charles Nuttycombe was given the all-clear from his doctor.

"I could go to the mall this afternoon," the retired Newport News coach and teacher said with wonder in his voice.

Not that he wanted to, but the point is Nuttycombe, 76, could take his new right hip anywhere. Use a walker or a cane or nothing at all. No need for more physical therapy. No worries about dislocating his hip while crossing his legs or bending too much or rolling over in his sleep.

Best of all, no more constant, sleep-depriving pain from a hip joint that had lost its cartilage and had become bone on bone. It's a pain more people are experiencing as they're living longer or wearing their hips out sooner - and that has made hip replacement one of America's fastest-growing surgical procedures.

A week before, Nuttycombe was getting that hip fixed in an operating room filled with the noises of hammers, saws and drills. While it may not have sounded like it, he was having a "minimally invasive" procedure that's new to Hampton Roads.

Dr. Anthony Carter, Nuttycombe's surgeon, prefers to call it "a tissue-sparing technique." There's no way to take a damaged hip joint out and put in a replacement without invading the body, said Carter, who does the surgery at Mary Immaculate Hospital, a Bon Secours facility in Newport News.

Still, the procedure promises quicker, less complicated recoveries than is generally the case with other techniques, Carter said.

When operating on Nuttycombe earlier this month, Carter cut out the bone ball of the hip joint and prepared the femur and the socket for the implant, which includes a cup, metal ball and post that connects the joint to the leg. All of that would be done in a traditional hip replacement as well.

The difference was how the hip was approached: through one small incision - Nuttycombe's was about 5 to 6 inches - that allowed Carter to get to it from the front. The muscles are then spread apart along their grain, so the work is done without cutting any muscles or tendons, as they would be in a traditional hip replacement, Carter said.

The work is done on a special surgical table which has attachments that allow each leg to be manipulated into various angles while the feet are immobilized in what look a little like ski boots. At times, Nuttycombe's legs were at angles only a yoga master could achieve.

At a few points during the surgery, X-rays of the hip were taken. Carter said some see the radiation exposure as a downside, but the X-rays allow him to make sure the hip implant is exactly the right size and in the perfect position. Taking one after the surgery is " kind of too late," he said.

"Now there's no guessing," Carter said as he was about midway through Nuttycombe's surgery, which took just over an hour.

Several months ago, Nuttycombe felt the first sign of trouble in his back. In November it went out, as it had done before, but this time it didn't get better on its own. Tests showed the real problem might be his hip.

The pain was frustrating for a man used to walking several miles at a stretch and for whom athletics have always been a central part of life. Last year, Nuttycombe was inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

"I'm... I don't want to call it hyper," Nuttycombe said a couple of days before the surgery. "The thing I want to do more than anything else is to walk."

He was a little nervous. His wife of 55 years, Betsy, had had two knee replacements and "I saw the pain she went through."

Still, he forged ahead with the surgery as an increasing number of people have done. In 2004, the last year for which statistics are available, there were about 234,000 total hip replacements nationwide, up almost 40 percent from 168,000 five years earlier, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The surgery is still most common in people 65 and older, but it's growing even faster among baby boomers. In 2004, 83,000 people between ages 45 and 64 had hip replacements, 54 percent more than in 1999 for the same age group.

Lise Chandler White, 50, became part of that boomer trend this year. In January 2005, the Virginia Beach resident noticed the pain in her right hip that she would eventually learn was caused by avascular necrosis. In people with the condition, bones crumble because of a depleted blood supply to joints.

During the spring of 2005 she had a procedure done that relieved some of the pain, but it returned. By January she was debilitated.

"I tried a yoga class. Mistake," White said. "I couldn't do a minute on the treadmill." White eventually had to get a handicapped parking pass because the walk to her job in the Virginia Beach city manager's office was too much.

In February, Carter's office called and said it had an opening for surgery the next day. Could she come in?

"I said, 'Yes! Yes! Yes!' " White said. "I cried, I was so happy... It was a very good experience, if you can say that about a surgery."

Now, she is walking three miles several times a week, taking salsa dancing lessons, and trying out kayaking. "I got another 50 years," she said.

Though Nuttycombe and White attribute their outcomes to Carter and the procedure, there's more than one way to fix a hip, said Dr. Thomas S. Thornhill, a professor at Harvard Medical School.

Like Carter, Thornhill is leery of the term "minimally invasive" and said that too often it is used as a marketing pitch. A good surgeon, no matter what the approach, will seek to minimize the damage to tissues, he said.

"Regular hip replacement is done with a much smaller incision than was done 10 years ago," said Thornhill, who is chief of orthopedic surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Quicker and less painful recovery times often ascribed to minimally invasive procedures could also be the result of improvement in such things as rehabilitation techniques, pain management and anesthetic, Thornhill said.

It's important for patients to ask questions of their doctors, such as how experienced they are at doing the procedure recommended, he said.

While there may be less risk of hip dislocation early on with the procedure Carter does, Thornhill said, it's not clear yet that the technique yields a better outcome for patients in the long run.

What Carter likes about this procedure, which he has been doing since January, is that because the muscles aren't cut, there's less blood loss and less healing to do.

"They're off their walkers, they're off their canes much quicker," Carter said.

" 'Do anything you want. You're well.' That's what he told me," Nuttycombe said gleefully of his week-after checkup with Carter last Monday.

Nuttycombe was already plotting a strategy to build up his walking mileage.

"And then we're going to Acapulco, right?" his wife, Betsy, joked. "Or at least Buckroe."

Reach Nancy Young at (757) 446-2947 or nancy.young@pilotonline.com.

Courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 07/24/06
WOW! Thanks, Dave!

As for Coach Nuttycombe, I saw him several years ago when I was driving a school bus out of Menchville High School. He didn't look a day over 40, which was very disconcerting for me since I was over 50! I thanked him for being my hero and saving my life but I could tell he didn't remember so I let it go.

It happened back in 1963, when it was pouring rain outside and I was leaving school to catch a late bus home. The whole school was empty and so quiet you could hear echoes from deep in the school's sole. At the bottom of the stairs that lead to the front hall I saw barricades that went all the way down to the other end of the hallway. Strange. Must be doing some kind of work. I waited. Looked. Nothing. Stepping out, I began my walk down the corridors when out of the blue I was grabbed by the arm and swept into the alcove that held the doors to the auditorium! Next thing I know, I was looking up into the strong blue eyes of my savior, Coach Nuttycombe, while running past me at a very unsafe speed (!) was this ruffian who could have cost me my life!!!! had it not been for HIM. I didn't know they held track practice inside when it rained. I didn't know the Coach could be so cool when it came to a player getting endangered by a stupid girl. I know that track guy was very goal orientated. Oh well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

- Linda May Bond Crayton ('66) of VA - 07/25/06
The indoor track practices!!! WOWZERONI!!! I had quite forgotten them! I believe I had a close brush with them
once or twice myself, but I probably did it on purpose, knowing me...... Thanks, Linda May!

Hi Carol -- I knew about this when it happened, but like a doofus forgot to email the news to you for inclusion in the newsletter. So here it is, better late than never! Coach Nuttycombe received a well deserved honor in November 2005 when he was inducted into the National Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame!! He joined a glittering list of many coaches of national, olympic, and international reknown. He was nominated by Ron Garner, a 1975 (?) Ferguson HS graduate, who himself coached track & field at the college level for many years. Garner was at the ceremony, and said that Coach Nuttycombe was quite humbled and emotional. One of his sons, Eddie, (who may be an NNHS grad ??, but I think he was a Menchville grad) was the presenter. I have enclosed 4 photos of the ceremony, and you may see a brief bio on the following link on the Association's website: http://ustfccca.cstv.com/genrel/nuttycombe_charles00.html There is a chance there may be a video of the ceremony. I'll do some checking and see if there is, so you can put it on your NNHS website also.

- Ron Miller ('59) of NC - 02/25/07 WOWZERONI! Thanks, Ron!
I checked, but unfortunately, there's no known video of Coach Nuttycombe's Hall of Fame induction. One further note: his is indeed a singular honor -- he is the only high school coach in the Hall.
- Ron Miller ('59) of NC - 03/01/07 WOWZERONI-RINI! Thanks again, Ron!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – MILESTONE AWARD

The Peninsula Sports Club honors NNHS and Menchville HS Coach Charley Nuttycombe

Wednesday, August 1, 2007, 6:00 PM - Social; 6:30 PM - Dinner (BBQ, fried chicken & trimmings)

Knights of Columbus Hall – 100 Columbus Way (off Nettles Drive) Newport News, VA

Cost is $8 per person; RSVP no layer than Thursday, July 26, 2007 by calling 886-2745 (X100) or 592-8848.

All (1956-1970) NNHS and (1970-1989) Menchville HS football and track team members
are encouraged to attend and make this a truly memorable night for Coach Nuttycombe.

- Steve Veazey ('60) of VA - 07/11/07
Thanks, Steve!

In addition to coaching, Coach Nuttycombe was also a teacher. Many of us (boys and girls) had him for Geography. I remember him as one of the most congenial teachers I ever had.

Many of us also had him for driver's training. I still think of him when I don't have my hands in the "ten and two" position on the steering wheel. And some of his lessons must have stuck, since I've only had 1 ticket in the 40+ years I've been driving. (Honest, Coach! It's not my fault! I don't know how it happened! I was passing a tractor-trailer, going up hill over a mountain - I didn't know my old car could go that fast!!!!!!).

Even though I am unable to attend the dinner, I send Coach my best wishes and thank him for all the lessons he taught that have helped me get through these last 40+ years.

- Shirley Eanes Matthews ('66) of VA - 07/12/07
Thanks, Shirley!

Sure wish I could attend the upcoming function to honor Coach Nuttycombe. I remember when he came to Newport News. He and Bitsy, and baby Chuck, driving his 1956 Chevrolet. He commuted on weekends until he could bring his wife and son to Newport News, VA and he stayed awake while driving by wiping a wet wash cloth on his face. He was one of the most patient swimming instructors that I had the pleasure of working with at the Municipal Pool, and during his long career as a teacher and coach, he greatly influenced many a young student in a very positive manner. He was fast as greased lightning when he appeared on the scene.

For a glimpse of the very young Coach, check out Our Old Stomping Grounds and click on World War II Memorial Municipal Pool.

- Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 07/13/07
And as a bonus, you'll find images of a very young Joe Madagan - a.k.a. "Adonis" - as well! Thanks, Joe!

Just a short note to have everyone take a look at this website. A tribute to two really great men. It makes it
even more enjoyable reading to have a Crabba write this.

http://hrvarsity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1759

A tribute to Charlie Nuttycombe

On Aug. 1, the Peninsula Sports Club will honor Charlie Nuttycombe, who coached track and football at both Newport News and Menchville high schools for more than 30 years.

Chris Nicholson, a 1965 Hampton HS graduate, wrote this tribute to Coach Nuttycombe:

Coach Nuttycombe – A Teacher of Values
Tribute by a ’65 Crabber

How do you teach teenagers values when they are rarely paying attention? Sports is an ideal venue to accomplish this because at least the kids must pay attention in order to acquire the requisite skills and make the teams. Coaches, just like teachers, come in all sizes and abilities to influence.

Typhoon Coaches Charlie Nuttycombe and Julie Conn had a major influence on me when they showed that they were concerned about my athletic development in spite of the fact that I was a Crabber. The effect was minor at that time. But as the years passed, I found I was drawing on their unselfish interest in me and using that to modify the way I interacted with colleagues. It is amazing how small but genuine expressions of interest and concern by coaches, teachers, and mentors can have long lasting positive effects on the recipients. Through these actions, many times, are transmitted the essential knowledge of how to interact with others.

Thank you Coach Nuttycombe for being an inspiration to all those you touched.

The rivalry was intense between the Typhoons and the Crabbers in the early 1960’s as it always had been. As a Crabber high jumper at a meet at Newport News High in either 1963 or 1964, I was amazed when coach Julie Conn and later coach Charlie Nuttycombe spoke to me and offered some suggestions to improve my jumping technique.

Their words were genuine and they amazingly seemed to be trying to help me; I was confused at their interest because this was a competition between two schools who hated each other, or so it seemed to me at the time. They repeated this several more times before I graduated. Why would they be interested in improving the performance of a rival competitor? (My brother-in-law Lou Tyree had played football for Julie Conn at NNHS and was a decorated WW II and Korean War veteran. Later I learned he had called coach Conn and told him about me.)

The significance of that was lost on me for a number of years but as I matured, the testosterone influence diminished, and I was faced with other challenges, I realized that two of the most important things in life were treating people right and effective teamwork. Several times during my professional career when I questioned some aspect of my performance, I drew on the lessons learned years before from the two coaches whose efforts to help me might have had a negative impact on the “final score” but they were trying to build my confidence.

They were more interested in the development of a young man than they were in the “final score” of the track meet. The more we all focus on the development of young people, like Coach Nuttycombe always did, the better off the community, the state, the nation, and world will be. Thank you Coaches Nuttycombe and Conn for collectively having been one of several inspirations in my life.

Chris R. Nicholson
HHS - 1965
Va Tech – 1970
Retired after 31 years of federal service - 2003
__________________
HRvarsity administrator / lburke@dailypress.com

- Jerry Blanchard ('62) of VA - 07/16/07
Thanks, Jerry!

Webdoll, Carol,

Wanted to send a note through you wishing a successful Saturday night gala to Steve Veazey (’60) and our own Horace Underwood (’61), president of the Peninsula Sports Club, which is honoring Coach Charley Nuttycombe. He and Mrs. Frances Nettles were sponsors for our class (’61). Charley was part of a tradition of great coaches at NNHS who nurtured a host of talented young men, helping turn them into men of character. Steve and Horace bespeak that legacy.

I wish I could be there (still recovering from open heart surgery) to thank Coach for his great patience with me as both a student and budding sports writer. Both he and Coach Julie Conn advised me to give up any desire to be an athlete and concentrate on the bi-weekly “Beacon.” The late Jerry Zoumplis and I were co-sports editors in ’61.

Also, I applaud Steve for doing the job of PSC secretary. Once upon a time, 1965-67, Daily Press Sports Editor Charlie Karmosky, Sr., deemed that as part of my editorial training I would be secretary of the PSC. Coach Nuttycombe was young for such a respected coach and I was a fledgling sports writer at the Daily Press. A few years earlier I sat in the third row of the geography classes he taught. I don’t remember the classroom number (101?), but our senior government class with Miss Frances Maguire and Charley’s geography course were both taught there near the front entrance on the first floor, across the wall from the gymnasium.

Charlie had a great technique. He gave us 25 salient questions (I think it was 25) on Monday morning to be answered during the week, all of which were on the Friday test, and comprised the final grading period exams and semester exam. Some of us still enjoyed the classroom talk of football and track, forgetting what our real purpose was. His forte was in Saunders Stadium with its cinder track, sawdust high jump and pole vault pits (early Spring was tough), and the southeast concrete wall preventing shot put throws from exceeding (gasp) 50 feet.

I know Saturday will be a success, a real homecoming, and I send fondest regards to Coach Nuttycombe and the PSC for recognizing such a wonderful man. Surely Randoph Macon has him in its hall of fame. I also send my best to Steve (and sister Brenda [’62]) and President Horace.

- Norm Covert ('61) of MD - 07/23/07
Thanks, Norm!




- Edna Whitcomb Harrison ('65) of VA - 08/02/07 Thanks, Edna!


6:28 PM - Glen Davenport ('63) of VA, Sammy Vreeland, and Coach Nuttycombe of VA	8:13 PM - Coach Harlan Hott of VA	8:13 PM - Angie Ray Smith ('64) of VA and Coach Nuttycombe of VA	8:14 PM - The Nuttycombes
Saturday, August 1, 2007
The Peninsula Sports Club honored Coach Charlie Nuttycombe on August 1st. Coach Harlan Hott was in attendance, as well as members of Coach Nuttycombe's family and many friends. I threatened to wear my cheerleading uniform...but Glen (Davenport - '63 - of VA) embarrasses easily! It was so good to see Coach Nuttycombe in such good health, and as sharp as a tack! The picture of me with him was an attempt to get his comments on the page in my senior annual...beside the ones he made in 1964!!! It was SO busy, and so many people wanted to speak to him...it didn't happen. Mrs. Nuttycombe wanted them to scoot out of the Knights of Columbus Hall to catch, if possible, a baseball game in which their grandson was playing. It was a real surprise for Coach. He thought he was 'speaking'... and had no idea he was receiving an honor for his dedication to the youth of NNHS and Menchville, and his excellence of character. Aren't we fortunate that we had such role models?!? I appreciate NNHS and the education and support we received there...more every day! - Angie Ray Smith ('64) of VA - 09/01/07 (but not posted until 09/11/07) Thanks, Angie!

I have a "small world story" that touches Charlie Nuttycombe, whom I greatly admire and respect. While searching for Marines who served at Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard I located a Marine Veteran who is now a retired Judge in the Commonwealth of Virginia. You see, not all Marines are Neanderthals as some would have you believe.

Now, Joe, who would say such a horrible thing?!? Certainly not I!
I've been madly in love with the entire Corps since I was two years and four months old!

The Judge was a delight to speak with by phone and will be attending the Reunion in Portsmouth, Virginia next month. He began recalling his high school days in Richmond, Virginia and mentioned Charlie Nuttycombe as being one of the fastest human beings on the face of the earth. He recalled Charlie going off to Virginia Military Institute and later transferring to Randolph-Macon College. The Judge went to Hampden-Sydney College and later the University of Virginia Law School.

Then he said he did not really understand why Charlie stayed at Newport News, when he was surely in high demand by other schools. I told the good Judge that he just did not understand how the TYPHOON held their coaches and teachers in such high esteem, and especially when Julie Conn and J.C. Range had such influence on his career. He admitted the TYPHOON were very special and often State Champions in almost every sport. I directed the Judge to your website, so he might get a glimpse of the photo images of Coach Nuttycombe, so I hope he visited your outstanding website. Charlie, should you read this: "I Certify, Sir."

- Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 04/23/08
WOWZERS! Thanks, Joe!

"Hmmmm ............ Nuttycombe ........... Nuttycombe ........
......................... Honeycomb?"

- Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 05/23/04

Honeycomb

As Performed By:
Jimmie F. Rodgers

Well it's a darn good life and it's kinda funny
How the Lord made the bee and the bee made the honey
And the honeybee lookin' for a home
And they called it honeycomb
And they roamed the world and they gathered all
Of the honeycomb into one sweet ball
And the honeycomb from a million trips
Made my baby's lips

Oh, Honeycomb, won't you be my baby
Well, Honeycomb, be my own
Got a hank o' hair and a piece o' bone
And made a walkin' talkin' Honeycomb
Well, Honeycomb, won't you be my baby
Well, Honeycomb, be my own
What a darn good life
When you got a wife like Honeycomb

And the Lord said now that I made a bee
I'm gonna look all around for a green, green tree
And He made a little tree and I guess you heard
Oh, then well he made a little bird
And they waited all around till the end of Spring
Gettin' every note that the birdie'd sing
And they put 'em all into one sweet tone
For my Honeycomb
Oh, Honeycomb, won't you be my baby
Well, Honeycomb, be my own
Got a hank o' hair and a piece o' bone
And made a walkin' talkin' Honeycomb
Well, Honeycomb, won't you be my baby
Well, Honeycomb, be my own
What a darn good life
When you got a wife like Honeycomb

And the Lord says now that I made a bird
I'm gonna look all round for a little ol' word
That sounds about sweet like turtledove
And I guess I'm gonna call it love
And He roamed the world lookin' everywhere
Gettin' love from here, love from there
And He put it all in a little ol' part
Of my baby's heart

Oh, Honeycomb, won't you be my baby
Well, Honeycomb, be my own
Got a hank o' hair and a piece o' bone
And made a walkin' talkin' Honeycomb
Well, Honeycomb, won't you be my baby
Well, Honeycomb, be my own
What a darn good life
When you got a wife like Honeycomb

"Honeycomb" lyrics and midi (sequenced by Sal Grippaldi) courtesy of http://www.smickandsmodoo.com/aaa/1957/honeycomb.htm,
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 05/23/04
Thanks, Dave!

Back to Teachers

Return to NNHS Class of 1965


1956	*1957 Anchor, p. 13*	*1959 Anchor, p. 71*	*1959 Anchor, p. 123*
"WELCOME, COACH - Charlie Nuttycombe (center), the great Randolph-Macon athlete from Richmond, poses at City swimming pool with a couple of Newport News High School youngsters he'll coach in September. John Mitchell ('57), (left) and Joe Madagan ('57), life guards at the pool, greet the former track and baseball star who will join Typhoon staff in the Fall. Nuttycombe is now chief life guard at City Rec pool."		FOOTBALL COACHES 1st Row: Center and line coach, John Palmer; head coach, J. C. Range; back coach, Charlie Nuttycombe; 2nd Row: Line coach, Bill Helms; end coach, Charles Driesell; back and J. V. coach, Jack Powers."	"'Are you sure it's time,' exclaims Mr. Nuttycombe in amazement as he tries to eat his lunch and listen at the same time."
Courtesy of Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 06/01/04 WOW! Thanks, Joe!	05/16/04	05/16/04	06/08/04

*1964 Anchor, p. 49*	*1965 Anchor, p. 10*	Saturday, October 22, 2005
	"Riding high in the (homecoming) parade were three of the school's well-known coaches, Mr. (C. C.) Duff, Mr. (Charlie) Nuttycombe, and Mr. (Johnny) Palmer." (Car driven by Ken Taylor - '65)	Class of 1965 45-Year Reunion: Jimmy Parker ('62) of VA; _____ _____ of __; Charlie and Betsy Nuttycombe of VA; Jim Loving of VA
05/16/04	05/16/04	07/24/06