Dr. Richard Q. Penick

DR. RICHARD Q. PENICK Dr. Richard Q. Penick, 89, of Jensen Beach, passed away on July 16, 2010. Dr. Penick was born in Altoona, Pa. to Rev. Ray Emmett Penick and Esther Groff Penick. He was a graduate of Clearfield High School in Clearfield, Pa.; Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Va.; and the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, where he earned his M.D. in 1948. He held an honorary doctorate from Shenandoah College in Winchester, Va. Dr. Penick met his wife of 61 years, Thelma ("Tellie") Deane Penick, during his medical residency in Richmond, where they married, relocated briefly to Norfolk, Va., and then to Staten Island, N.Y., where he served with the Public Health Service and where their first child, Terry Dean, was born. They subsequently returned to Harrisonburg, Virginia, where daughters Jacque Lynn and Kayleen Sue were born. The family moved to Florida in 1956. One of the first physicians in Jensen Beach, Dr. Penick, together with Tellie, a registered nurse, built a solid family practice that lasted 30 years. He served hundred of patients while promoting community development in this small town by participating in a variety of church, school and civic activities and serving on numerous boards. Among these were Martin Memorial Hospital (on staff for nearly 30 years, former chief of staff); the American Heart Association (23 years, former president, distinguished service award); the Martin County and Tri-County Medical Societies, the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, and Fidelity Federal Savings Bank. He established the area's first ambulance service, the Jensen Beach Samaritans; spearheaded one of the first successful polio vaccination programs in Florida; and started the Festival of the Arts ("Causeway Arts Fair"). Dr. Penick, our own "Patch Adams", brought both the science and art of medicine to his practice. He was known for his caring bedside manner, his medical expertise, and perhaps most of all, his sense of humor - which he possessed to the very end, despite multiple physical and mental challenges. Dr. Penick pursued a variety of personal interests, had a beautiful tenor singing voice and loved sports. He was a champion wrestler in high school and college; pitched in softball leagues and/or played competitive tennis weekly during most of his adulthood; and competed in the Senior Olympics in his later years. He loved the limelight, and could often be spotted singing in church, emceeing at a community "variety show", driving one of his antique cars in a parade, or putting on a silly skit with his buddies for a charitable cause. After retiring in 1986, Dick and Tellie built a summer cabin in North Carolina and a smaller Florida home on Lake Repose, across from their former office. They were able to enjoy many happy seasons with their children and grandchildren in both locales, and remained in their Florida home until April 2010. Dr. Penick is preceded in death by brothers Ralph Woodrow Penick and Groff Landis Penick; and sisters Helen P. Johnson, Constance P. Ford and Thora P. Forrester. He is survived by his devoted wife, Thelma; brothers John ("Jack") Ray Penick of Charlotte, N.C., and Frank Wayne Penick of Louisville, Ky.; son Terry Dean Penick of Weaversville, N.C.; daughter Jacque Penick-Holcombe of Swannanoa, N.C.; daughter Kayleen Penick Cavanaugh of West Palm Beach, Fla.; grandson Christopher Holcombe; granddaughters Olivia Rebekah Holcombe, Anna Lillian Holcombe and Kathryn Deanna Cavanaugh; great-granddaughter Ashtyn Star Holcombe; and many beloved nieces, nephews, their spouses and children. A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 26th at 3:30 pm, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2221 NE Savannah Road, Jensen Beach, Florida, 34957. Immediately following will be a celebration of life party at the Indian Riverside Park clubhouse. Everyone is welcome. For further information please contact daughter Kayleen at: Kayleen.cavanaugh@gmail.com . In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the National Alzheimer's Society or the charity of your choice. Paid Obituary