Obituary for Arthur D. Newkirk
Blue Hill
Arthur D. Newkirk, MD, 76, died February 9, 2023, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Husband, Father, Doctor, Geologist, Birder, Athlete (Tennis, Basketball and Soccer), Bridge Player and Board Game Enthusiast, Avid Reader, Dog-Lover, Pool Man, Fire Maker, Canoeist, Sailor, Humorist, Downhill Skier, Musician (Trombone, Piano & Banjo), Religious Ice Cream Eater, and the Kindest Man on Earth.
The year 1947 ushered in the transistor radio, the Truman Doctrine and Jackie Robinson. On January 13th, it also welcomed Art to the world in Schenectady, NY, the son of Research Chemist, Arthur E. and Mathematician, Katherine D. Newkirk.
As a child, he wore thick, black-rimmed glasses, his signature high socks, and everyone called him Artie. He graduated from Niskayuna High School in 1965 and Haverford College in 1969, where he received a B.S. in geology, played basketball and soccer (goalie) and, at 6’ 2”, competed in pole vaulting. Always up for a little fun, in the week between his final exams and graduation, he bought a ’57 Chevy with two other pals for $15 and managed to hose down the security guards with a water-filled fire extinguisher.
The following two years, Art served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Korea, teaching Earth Science laboratories at a teacher's college. Returning to the states with an exotic Fu Manchu moustache, he met his wife of 50 years, Joyce Earnshaw, at Tanager Lodge, a wilderness camp where he had spent years as a camper and counselor. Blown away by their shared love of the outdoors, getting up to mischief and instant attraction, Art followed Joyce to Syracuse, NY where he graduated from Upstate Medical School in 1977. He completed a 3-year Family Practice residency in Bangor, ME, and moved to beautiful Blue Hill, where he practiced for 31 years. In addition to his three decades of practice, he also taught the next generation of doctors at the Residency Program in Bangor.
As a doctor, he adamantly defended his right to time with his patients; he was a dedicated listener who treated the whole person. At home he was stubborn, principled, steady, jolly, and sensitive to the needs of everyone in the room.
He is greatly missed by his wife, Joyce, sister, Jean, son, Owen and wife, Nicole, daughter, Margot and husband, Bjorn, four grandsons, Leyton, Dexter, Tilemachos and Iasonas, and glommy-yet-lovable English Setter, Rush.
A celebration of Art's life will be arranged sometime in the coming months.
Gifts in Art's memory may be made to Downeast Chapter Audubon of Maine, P O Box 1212, Ellsworth 04605
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Arthur D. Newkirk, MD, 76, died February 9, 2023, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Husband, Father, Doctor, Geologist, Birder, Athlete (Tennis, Basketball and Soccer), Bridge Player and Board Game Enthusiast, Avid Reader, Dog-Lover, Pool Man, Fire Maker, Canoeist, Sailor, Humorist, Downhill Skier, Musician (Trombone, Piano & Banjo), Religious Ice Cream Eater, and the Kindest Man on Earth.
The year 1947 ushered in the transistor radio, the Truman Doctrine and Jackie Robinson. On January 13th, it also welcomed Art to the world in Schenectady, NY, the son of Research Chemist, Arthur E. and Mathematician, Katherine D. Newkirk.
As a child, he wore thick, black-rimmed glasses, his signature high socks, and everyone called him Artie. He graduated from Niskayuna High School in 1965 and Haverford College in 1969, where he received a B.S. in geology, played basketball and soccer (goalie) and, at 6’ 2”, competed in pole vaulting. Always up for a little fun, in the week between his final exams and graduation, he bought a ’57 Chevy with two other pals for $15 and managed to hose down the security guards with a water-filled fire extinguisher.
The following two years, Art served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Korea, teaching Earth Science laboratories at a teacher's college. Returning to the states with an exotic Fu Manchu moustache, he met his wife of 50 years, Joyce Earnshaw, at Tanager Lodge, a wilderness camp where he had spent years as a camper and counselor. Blown away by their shared love of the outdoors, getting up to mischief and instant attraction, Art followed Joyce to Syracuse, NY where he graduated from Upstate Medical School in 1977. He completed a 3-year Family Practice residency in Bangor, ME, and moved to beautiful Blue Hill, where he practiced for 31 years. In addition to his three decades of practice, he also taught the next generation of doctors at the Residency Program in Bangor.
As a doctor, he adamantly defended his right to time with his patients; he was a dedicated listener who treated the whole person. At home he was stubborn, principled, steady, jolly, and sensitive to the needs of everyone in the room.
He is greatly missed by his wife, Joyce, sister, Jean, son, Owen and wife, Nicole, daughter, Margot and husband, Bjorn, four grandsons, Leyton, Dexter, Tilemachos and Iasonas, and glommy-yet-lovable English Setter, Rush.
A celebration of Art's life will be arranged sometime in the coming months.
Gifts in Art's memory may be made to Downeast Chapter Audubon of Maine, P O Box 1212, Ellsworth 04605
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com