This collection is open for research.
Donated by Debra Gregory as representative of the Richard DonTigny estate, 2023 April.
Richard DonTigny (1931-2023) was a physical therapist from Montana who practiced for much of his career in Havre. He was born in Havre, Montana on August 9, 1931 to Emil and Helen (Halverson) DonTigny. He graduated from Havre High School in 1949, attended Northern Montana College from 1949-1952 and received a BS in Applied Science from Montana State University in 1954. He received a certificate in physical therapy from the University of Iowa in 1958.
DonTigny served in the army in the 15th Medical Detachment to the 8th Engineer Battalion (C) in the 1st Calvary Division from 1954-1956. After completing his physical therapy certificate at the University of Iowa, he worked as a phyiscal therapist in Havre hospitals for nearly twenty years and was in private practice in Havre for ten years.
Much of DonTigny's research focused on disfunction of the sacaroiliac (SI) joint. He first published an article on the topic in titled "Evaluation, manipulation and management of the anterior dysfunction of the sacaroiliac joint" in
DonTigny married Josephine Faltrino in Havre on June 15, 1957. The couple had four children: Debbie, Julie, Laura, and Richard Jr. Richard DonTigny died in Bozeman on March 15, 2023 at the age of 91.
[Creator Name], [Date of Creation], [Brief Description of Object], Folder [#], Box [#], [Collection Name], [Collection #], Montana State University (MSU) Library, Bozeman, MT
This collection was processed 2024 August 14.
This collection contains correspondence and instructional tools related to Richard DonTigny's physical therapy career, in particular his research on lower back pain and the sacroiliac (SI) joint. Instructional materials include illustrations, slides and handout for two courses, "The DonTigny Dynamic Core Stabilization Program for Low Back and Pelvic Pain" workshop offered in 2009 and "Quick, Effective, SI Joint/Low Back Pain Assessment: The DonTigny Manual Manipulation Approach" offered through Great Seminars Online in 2013. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, which includes letters from other physical therapist requesting copies of his articles and discussing his research. The correspondence also includes letters from patients who benefitted from DonTigny's research and practice. Other items in the collection include therapy licenses for the state of Montana and a dossier documenting his career achievements and highlights. Among these materials is a 1964 letter from Dr. Janet Travell, who served as the physician to President John F. Kennedy.
The folder was originally titled "National Award." Folder contents contain a dossier of DonTigny's career inlcuding his CV, biography, bibliography, and a 1964 letter from presidential physician Dr. Janet Travell.