I have had the same pediatrician from the day I was born. Both of my younger siblings also saw him for primary care. In fact, most of my friends went to see him, as well. He served as a pediatrician for 46 years in my town and nearly everyone knew who he was. Last week, this beloved member of our community passed away and now the community is grieving.
It honestly just doesn't seem real. And it's harder to grasp because he isn't a person everyone sees everyday, but he was always there when we needed him. As I scroll through my Facebook newsfeed, I see friends sharing stories with other friends about the things he did to go above and beyond his job description. He would ensure that every patient felt comfortable and received the care they required. I can’t imagine there being a single soul in the entire town that had even the smallest amount of dislike toward this man. He always had a positive attitude, a smile, and the friendliest personality.
People like him seem immortal in many people’s eyes. They become such a familiar and integral part of our lives that it just doesn’t seem to be possible that there would come a time when they no longer are with us. Many knew that he had fallen ill, however, his passing still came as a shock to most. I myself was certainly not expecting to see his obituary when I scrolled through my social media platforms. I had known this man for literally my entire life. He may as well have been a close family friend. I recall sitting in his office for a physical as a young girl and having him tell me “Now don’t kiss too many boys,” or asking me how much of a pain in my butt my siblings were being lately.
In an interview with ECHN a few years ago, he emphasized how much he cared about all of his patients and that his ultimate goal was to “bring a child from infancy to adulthood and let them go out on their own.” He also said that he had no intentions of retiring because he claimed not to be working at a job, but rather enjoying his life. Pediatrics was really a passion of his and he continued doing it for as long as he could.
For those who knew this doctor, they know our town will not be the same without him. However, his great spirit will live on forever in the hearts of those he helped throughout his career. He made our town a better place. I never truly got to thank him for everything he has done for my family and me. He was such a kind, gentle man who made our town a better place and we all appreciate him greatly.
