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Arthur Wilson Obituary
In Loving Memory of Arthur Henry WILSON, MD December 7, 1918 ~ March 9, 2011 Arthur Henry Wilson of Normandy Park, WA, passed away Wednesday morning surrounded by his family. Art was a remarkable man. As a loving husband and dedicated father of four, he was generous, kind and loved to help others. In his active life he skied, played tennis, hunted, fished and loved carpentry. He shall be greatly missed by family, friends, and all those who knew him. Art was born on a farm in Josephine, North Dakota on December 7, 1918. He was the third son of English parents, Robert and Edith Wilson. During the Depression he and his family headed west to Washington State after seeing an advertisement for strawberries two inches in diameter. After finishing high school, Art worked for a man who introduced him to the then novel idea of nutrition. It was this interaction that first sparked Art's interest in medicine. In 1942, Art joined the U.S. Merchant Marines for the duration of the war. Following the war's conclusion, he enrolled at the University of Washington to study medicine and spent each summer building and selling homes to finance his education. Art met Frances Gholson Rickman when he was a junior medical student at the Seattle V.A. hospital. He then graduated in 1954 and married Frances in 1955 at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church. They were active members of their congregation for over fifty years where Art was an elder and deacon. Art had a wonderful life. He was married to Frances for fifty-six years and had four children. As an ophthalmologist, he had an eye clinic in Burien for forty years. He enjoyed his patients so much that he did not retire until he was eighty. He loved a good joke and made incorrigible puns. The way he lived set an inspiring example for his family. Art is survived by his beloved wife Frances, children Gregg (Bonnie), Laurie (Ashok), Robert (Susan), Heather (Remick), eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, brothers Jim and Lloyd, sisters Mabel and Florence and his beloved dog, Toby preceded him in death. A service to celebrate Arthur's life will take place March 19, 2011 at 2:00 at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, 15003 14th Ave. SW, Burien, WA 98166. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to Lake Burien Presbyterian Church or to your favorite charity.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Wilson
Sponsored by Frances Wilson.
Becky (Baker) Frame
March 21, 2011
I'll never forget standing in the yard at my grandparents' house in Sublimity, timid age 4, clinging to my dad's hand, neck craned, looking waaaaaaay up at tall Uncle Art's face. My daunting assignment? To tell him thank you.
I'd been born cross-eyed. Uncle Art fixed my eyes when I was a year and a half old. For free. For love. He's the reason I can see straight to type this message.
My dad started the conversation. "Art, Becky has something she'd like to say to you."
Uncle Art squatted down to my eye-level. No longer tall and intimidating. Gentle. A touch of humor playing around his own eyes.
Remembering my rehearsed line, I whispered softly, "Thank you for fixing my eyes..."
Uncle Art shook my hand gravely. "You're very welcome," he said, gazing intently. "You have beautiful eyes." As he held my gaze, I got the impression he was giving me a little follow-up exam, right there on the spot. "And it looks like you're doing just fine," he affirmed.
He patted my shoulder and stood, returning casually to his grownup conversation with my other uncles. All in a day's work for him, a lifetime of clear vision for me.
Thank you, Uncle Art, for fixing my eyes.
Gregg Wilson
March 21, 2011
My Father, Arthur Wilson, achieved the incredible, by coming off a Great Depression "Dust Bowl" farm in 1936 at age 18 with nothing but what he was wearing and a one room school education and beginning a 22 year struggle to become an eye surgeon. He was never helped financially by anyone. He worked through the Great Depession at all kinds of jobs and then served in the Merchant Marine during WW II. This was not a safe service. Almost 1,600 US Merchant Ships were sunk during the war. He paid his own way through college and medical school by building a house and selling it each summer. Once a doctor, he helped a countless number of relatives and friends over 50 years. He never failed at any task. I remain completely amazed at his incredible life and accomplishments.
Gregg Wilson
March 21, 2011
My Father, Arthur Wilson, achieved the incredible, by coming off a Great Depression "Dust Bowl" farm in 1936 at age 18 with nothing but what he was wearing and a one room school education and beginning a 22 year struggle to become an eye surgeon. He was never helped financially by anyone. He worked through the Great Depession at all kinds of jobs and then served in the Merchant Marine during WW II. This was not a safe service. Almost 1,600 US Merchant Ships were sunk during the war. He paid his own way through college and medical school by building a house and selling it each summer. Once a doctor, he helped a countless number of relatives and friends over 50 years. He never failed at any task. I remain completely amazed at his incredible life and accomplishments.
Patrick McClean
March 19, 2011
I had the opportunity to know and work with Art Wilson. He was truely a leader in our local medical community, and was always ready to help and to share. Art loved to hunt and spent many years bird hunting in eastern Washington at a local club run by Burien physicians. I am very lucky to have known and worked with Doctor Wilson. He was a blessing to all who knew him.
March 18, 2011
Knowing Art was a joy, he had a special way of making people feel important! He was a very kind and loving man! I feel honored to have known him and shared in his life and family! I love you Art, thank you for the love you shared with us! I know your family will have you in their hearts forever!
God bless you all during this time of loss,
Karol Petersen
Beth Stringer
March 17, 2011
My Uncle Art in my mind is the best uncle ever. I love how he inspired all of his family to kindness by showing so much. He took my parents Marie & Jim on a cruise. He was always faithful to visit my father when he was in adult family homes being cared for and made sure my father was comfortable.. What a true example of God's love for us - always reaching out to show my family love and acts kindness. He was so good to give my family (mom, dad, 5 children, plus grandchildren eye exams, even providing glasses or contacts in times of hardship.. What a wonderful man with such a giving heart. God Bless and give comfort, strength and sustaining grace to all the family at this time of sorrow.(Isaiah 53:4 & 2 Cor.1:4). We love you.
Niece Beth & family, Jim, Joy & Joe
Marilyn Wilson
March 17, 2011
Uncle Art was a special uncle to my sisters, brother and me. I will miss him greatly and am sadden by his loss. He was a very loving and giving man and special to be around.
Our family will cherish the memories of family gatherings we shared together. My love and prayers go out to his family. Niece Marilyn
Judy Lowry Botts
March 14, 2011
Uncle Art was a very special member of our family. He tried hard to keep us connected as a family, and he and Aunt Fran hosted many memorable gatherings at their home. He was especially devoted to visiting my mother as often as he could during the several years that she was in a care home. He will be remembered for his kindness. Niece Judy
March 14, 2011
Dr Wilson was an important part of the medcal community at Highline Medical Center for many years. He was a personal friend and will be missed by all who knew him.--Paul Tucker
Debbie Bosch-Gravel
March 14, 2011
I was fortunate enough to have been Dr. Wilsons nurse for 16 years. There was never a day that I woke up and did not want to go to work. He was the nicest, kindest man to work for. He is the only doctor I know who would perform cataract surgery, drive the patient home and later stop by and make dinner for them if they had no one to help care for them at home.The years we worked together, and the patients that we saw, will always be warmly remembered.
March 13, 2011
We did not have the pleasure of know Art but we are grateful to have his son Bob as the doctor in our community. He too gives endless hours to his patients. We know there is little one can say at this time but know we are thinking about you.
Marion & John Wyss
Lois Hamilton
March 13, 2011
This wonderful Dr. performed 2 surgeries on my young son, years ago. A few years later when my son was in the hospital with burns, I had been with my son most of the night and when I returned to be with him I found him in the arms of Dr. Wilson. Rocking him and comforting him. My son wasn't even a patient of Dr. Wilson at that time, but this loving caring man has been in my heart for years. I am so sadden for your loss. How blessed you all have been to have such a wonderful man in your lives.
God Bless you all at your time of loss.
Lois Hamilton
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