Page 12 - SUSQUEHANNA TIMES
June 15, 1977
Dr. Newton E. Kendig — Memories from the Community
Portrait of a Humanitarian
It was so sudden, so hard to understand,
This passing of a kind and understanding man,
Many memories come flooding back through time,
of campaign trips, first his then mine,
Rides through Lancaster County and cups of coffee,
telephone calls and conversations between him and me,
All worthwhile, Victory- was his and then mine.
He would heed the call of the siren’s wail,
in the middle of the night or in driving rain,
But he couldn't do for himself what he did for others,
Heal the pain. :
He'd mumble and you couldn’t understand half of what he had to say,
But it didn’t matter, you felt better anyway.
He took time to laugh, play a joke, talk to a child, counsel a friend, or plant a rose,
How many times did he go beyond the call of duty?
No one knows.
He loved his town, his friends, his children, his wife,
But most of all he loved life.
He gave life, he saved life.
And what do I remember most?
The little things I guess,
he gave me the ultimate gift- himself.
I owe him much, a debt ! cannot repay, and
now too quickly he's gone away.
And now the story's at an end, but not for me,
I'll remember him, because you see,
He was my friend.
Jim Gingrich
Friends by Dick and Jean Gerberich
“A friend in need is a friend in deed,”’ and a true friend he was- Memories of
““Newt’’ go back many years. He and I grew up together- we reminisced many
Memories from his Nurse
To write about an employer is very easy for some people. But for me, it is almost
an impossibilty. I had the honor and good fortune to work next to Dr. Kendig for
11%2 years. During this time he taught me all the traits he possessed- compassion,
patience, understanding, respect and above all- love for all people. His role as a
physician took priority over all the things most of us hold dear- his family, his
health and his own well-being. He worked some days without any sleep, because
he’d been out of bed all night for a delivery and yet was still able to face all the
patients and their problems the next day. His patient’s trials and tribulations were
his, as well. If a patient of his died, he would say, ‘‘Another part of me is gone,
too.”” He crammed into his short 49 years what most of us don’t accomplish in 70 or
80 years. But, it took its toll eventually. His health had been bad for some time and
yet none of us knew how much he suffered. But he continued to think about all
those who depended on him and needed him. He lived life to its fullest and I am
sure enjoyed and loved every minute of it. The void left in my life as well as that of
his family, patients and friends will be hard to fill, however the memories of him
will sustain us. I am grateful God gave me the privilege of serving with him and for
him. To truly know him was to love him.
Mary E. Hoffmaster, R.N.
Friends
The Joe Germer Family
To a friend who gave his all to make our life a more beautiful place in which to
live: “‘It was hard to say good-bye to you..... Like reading a good book, we were
reluctant to finish the last page,
But the memories of you are written well within our lives.
They are the things that can’t be taken from us.
We have set aside a book for them on our private shelf.”
James W. Zarfoss family
Our memories of Doc,
Could fill a giant block,
Whenever needed always there,
The S h
usquehanna Times No matter how, when, or where.
is grateful to Jim and
Sandy Gingrich for prepar-
ing this memorial.
times about the days at Mount Joy High School. We went our separate ways after
graduation but our ‘‘roots’’ brought us back to Mount Joy. Our families have been
close personal friends over the years and our children have shared their young years
with each other. Looking back over these beautiful times we know that we will hold
He truly gave himself to others,
May he rest in peace among his brothers.
One of the best friends our family has ever had.
these memories in our hearts for years to come.
Ambulance Committee
by Bill Martin
6-5-3-1-4-3-6
“Dr. Kendig’s."”
‘Is Doc there? This is Bill from the ambulance.”
‘Hold a minute, I'll get him.”’
Soon the phone rattles and ‘‘You guys sure know when
to call.”
“1 was in the bathtub. You have your patients well
trained!’’ he jokes.
His voice is more serious now. ‘‘Okay. What do you
have?’
“*We have a possible coronary right outside of town on
the Manheim-Mount Joy Road---- You'll see us. Can you
come right out?”’
*Yes. Be right out.”
l'hree minutes later, Dr. Kendig is on the scene. We fill
him in on the details. He gives the patient something for
pain and nausea and says ‘move it!”
Dr. Kendig was always willing and ready to come help
the aml ulance crew stabilize a patient before
transporting to the hospital. He was very active in
ambulance work and always supported the service. In
the last vear, Dr. Kendig, along with Dr. Newman,
helped set up the first coronary care ambulance in
Mount Joo Through him equipment, procedures and
crew coo: ration for coronary care was achieved. He
owned 2 « ners on which he monitored the ambulance
and fire « in the area. Sometimes he'd be on the
scene of ai dent two or three minutes after receiving
the call. By the time we arrived S minutes later, he
would have the situation surveyed and say jokingly,
“What's the matter, can’t you run that thing any
faster?’” Doc didn’t beat around the bush. If he didn’t
like something on a call he'd let you know, either on the
scene or back in the firehouse. He was always full of
compliments when a job was well done. Above all, he
had a positive attitude and could always brighten a
serious situation with his good sense of humor. Needless
to say, the ambulance service and community, as a
whole, will miss the tireless” services of their dedicated
doctor and friend, Newton E. Kendig.
Testimonial by Rev. W. Richard Kohler
Dr. Kendig epitomized for me Jesus’ concept of
self-giving love. He did not talk about faith, he lived it
out each day by doing good in countless ways. He never
spared himself or refused his service to anyone,
anywhere, at any time. Dr. Kendig lived in deeds, not
years. Our community will miss him and will forever be
indebted to him.
Newton Kendig
From the Children
Roxann Lee Shoop, age 8
Even though I didn’t like to go see Dr. Kendig when 1
was sick, because of the shots he gave me, I still loved
him very much. I even told him so in the notes and
Valentines I gave him, and he would pat me on the
back, and say I love you too Roxy. I will miss him very
much.
Shawn Newton Maxwell
I am very happy that I was named after Dr. Kendig.
He was a great friend and doctor, always there when he
was needed.
Angie Calaman, age 8
Dr. Kendig to me was a great doctor. He helped me
whenever I needed him. Last year one night 1 was very
sick and he got out of bed at 12:30 a.m. to help me. He
was a kind and good man and I never left his office
without a hug and a kiss from him. The night he passed
away, I got down on my knees and prayed that he would
go to Heaven, because I loved him. My whole family
loved him and I am going to miss him. I'm sorry he’s
gone.
Jerry Sheetz
“I loved that man.”’
Police Department
Bruce Kline, Chief of Police
He was always there when needed! His service to the
Police Department will be missed.
Mount Joy Fire Department
Frank Good
Looking back over the years we could always count on
Dr. Kendig to take care of the men on large fire scenes.
I. can even recall on an occasion of the Grey Iron fire
several years ago where Dr. Kendig was right up with
us on the lines inside the building. Dr. Kendig will
always have a place in the hearts of the Friendship Fire
Co. #1
Midget Football — by Gary Maxwell
Dr. Kendig was one of the first in Midget Football.
He served as team doctor for many years. | may now tell
you what he did for the Donegal Braves and I think for a
few other teams and players in our league. Doc would
not charge a player for a physical exam to play. If a
player was injured he would collect insurance money. At
the end of the season, the money would be returned to
the team. The Red Rose Midget Football League was
formed in 1961, same year as the Donegal Braves. Doc
was there also. He was one of the 3 oldest members;
Doc Kendig, Leon Heller and myself. He was a great
doctor, father, citizen and, above all, a Sportsman.
Patients....
Ruth Madara
After twenty as a doctor and friend to my family,
there will never be another person, as dedicated to
helping others as Dr. Kendig was. Our memories of him
will last forever.
Larry Coover family
He was a family doctor, he was always there when
you needed him. It will be impossible to replace him.
You can’t name all the little things, but these are the
things that counted.
Ken Roth
Dr. Kendig was not only my doctor and business
partner but also a good friend and a great inspiration in
my life. :
HIS LEGACY IS A SIMPLE, BUT POWERFUL ONE,
THE ONLY THING THAT GIVES
ETERNAL HOPE OR PEACE,
“LOVE YOUR FELLOW MAN”
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