Charles Arkin

Charles Richard Arkin, MD of Memphis, TN, went to be with the Lord on 19 October 2024 at the age of 85. Visitation will be October 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN 38119. A funeral Mass will be held October 25, 2024 at 2 p.m. at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8151 Chimneyrock Blvd., Cordova, TN 38016. Born outside of Chicago, Charles lived there until the age of nine, after which he moved to central Tennessee, then Orlando, FL, West Palm, FL, and finally settling in Memphis where he was a member of the first graduating class of White Station High School in 1957. Charles attended Memphis State University where he received a degree in Chemistry and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. In March 1961, he entered medical school at the University of Tennessee at Memphis where he earned his MD in June 1964. After an Internship at Baptist Hospital, Charles did a Residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Rheumatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Returning to Memphis in July 1969, Charles began what would become 55 years of rheumatology private practice. Charles continued to strive professionally, earning board certifications in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and then becoming a Fellow in both the American College of Internal Medicine and the American College of Rheumatology. Charles was a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Tennessee and authored several journal articles. Dr. Arkin had a reputation for taking the time to listen to his patients and making sure their needs were met. Charles and his wife, Carole, were married in 1966 and had two children. For many years he was an ardent fan of and team physician for the University of Memphis basketball team. He equally loved being a part of the choir at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church and was a founding member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Charles and Carole enjoyed traveling to many destinations over the years including western Europe, Poland, Israel, China, Russia, Japan, and several Caribbean islands. Charles and family were avid water enthusiasts with regular weekends and holidays spent boating and relaxing at Pickwick Lake. Dr. Arkin was predeceased by his brother, Eli "Arch" Arkin. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Carole Arkin; his daughter Sharon Trice (Mark) of Cordova, TN; his son Richard Arkin (Laura) of Orlando, FL; his four grandchildren Clayton Trice (Breanne); Camille Trice; Brenna and Ashlyn Williams and one great grandchild Clayton William Trice. Charles will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Francis Catholic Church in memory of Dr. Charles R. Arkin, honoring his life and supporting the community he held dear.