Timothy Aiken

Dr. Timothy B. Aiken

On April 10, 2015, Timothy B. Aiken, M.D. passed away after a short battle with cancer with his loving family by his side.

Timothy B. Aiken was born in Mt. Kisco, New York on June 23, 1940.  He was the first child and first son of William Appleton Aiken and Phyllis (Gallatin) Aiken.

Timothy graduated from the Groton School in 1959, where he competed in crew and wrestling.  He received his undergraduate degree at Yale University.  During this time, he was an active member of the Yale Mountaineering Club.  He also served in the U.S. Navy with an honorable discharge in 1961.  He obtained his Docteur en Médecine at Université libre de Bruxelles, in Brussels, Belgium in 1976.  He completed a rotating medical internship at Moncton Hospital in New Brunswick, Canada and a partial internship at Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C.  He fulfilled his residencies at Doctors Hospital in Washington, D.C. and Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan where he was one of the first ophthalmological residents and also where he met his wife, Sandee. 

In 1981, Dr. Aiken came to Port Huron, Michigan at the request of the late Joseph L. Sanderson, M.D. to fulfill a need for a compassionate skilled ophthalmologist willing to care for all patients.  He began his practice in 1982, with one employee and a single exam room. Thirty-three years later, Blue Water Eye Care had grown to 14 employees with a 4,000+ sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility in Port Huron and a satellite office in Lexington, Michigan.  Along with providing excellent patient care, he was continually active in the medical community as the past President and member of the executive committee of the St. Clair Co. Medical Society, Chief of Surgery at Mercy Hospital 1995-1996, and serving on the board of the Mercy Hospital Medical Staff Executive Committee.  He was a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, and Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.  He was one of the founding members of the SCCMS Journal Club and a member of the Mercy Hospital Tumor Board. He was board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and licensed to practice medicine in Michigan and Maryland. Dr. Aiken was on staff at both Mercy Hospital and Port Huron Hospital.

He was involved in many clubs and organizations throughout the community such as: board member of Blue Water Sportsman's Association, choir member of Grace Episcopal Church, and a member of Port Huron Lions Club, Port Huron Yacht Club, Formal Dance Club, Port Huron Museum, and Ft. Gratiot Hospital Committee.  He donated his time to the People's Clinic as well as providing free physicals for local high school athletes.  Other community efforts included sponsorships of many local youth and adult ice hockey teams, in addition to supporting wildlife preservation and animal welfare organizations. Timothy enjoyed bird hunting with his dogs, sailing Lil' Singva, riding English motorcycles, walking on the beach with his wife, traveling with his daughter, and racecar driving with his son.

Timothy was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis; his father, William; and his brother, David Aiken.

Timothy is survived by his wife, Sandee; his daughter, Margaret; his son, Richard; his sister, Penelope Emery and his two nieces, Alison Emery-Brady and Wendy Emery.

Visitation will take place at Smith Family Funeral Home - North, 1525 Hancock St., Saturday, April 18th, 2015 from 2-4pm, and 6-8pm. His memorial service will take place at 12 noon Sunday, April 19th, 2015 at Smith Family Funeral Home - North.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the St. Clair County Humane Society, Peoples' Clinic Port Huron, Michigan, or the Committee for the Fort Gratiot Hospital via Port Huron Museum. www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com.