Theophil Sobol M.D.

KEESEVILLE — On April 5, 2009, one of the last of the North Country's "country doctors" passed away. Dr. Theophil Sobol died peacefully at the home of his daughter, Astrid Duross, in Johnstown, N.Y., surrounded by his wife of 69 years, Irene Sobol, Astrid and her family and his cat, Petrush (Peter).

Dr. Sobol was born in western Poland in 1918. He and Irene met while in secondary school and were married in 1943. He began his medical school education in Lviv University and completed it in Graz, Austria, in 1944. While in Austria, the Sobols' daughters Marta and Christina were born.

After World War II, the Sobol family immigrated to Australia where Dr. Sobol learned English and was hired by the Australian Public Health Service to work as a doctor in Papua, New Guinea, then a United Nations Protectorate of Australia. He worked in New Guinea from 1950 to 1956, building a hospital, training a staff and attending to all the medical needs of the native population in remote parts of New Guinea. Another daughter, Astrid, was born in New Guinea.

In 1956, the Sobol family immigrated to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, N.Y., where Dr. Sobol took courses at NYU's medical school and obtained his New York license.

In 1960, the Sobols moved to Keeseville, N.Y. Dr. Sobol loved the Adirondacks. The mountains reminded him of his homeland and he longed to resume skiing. He established his solo practice in an office attached to his home on Pleasant Street in Keeseville and he worked there until his retirement at age 72 in 1991. He served all age groups and he did virtually everything that did not necessitate hospitalization. He took his own X-rays and developed them; set broken bones; delivered babies; sutured wounds that today would require a plastic surgeon; and treated every illness that his patients contracted. Dr. Sobol enjoyed working at CVPH Medical Center and valued his friendships with medical colleagues. Family members estimate that in 31 years of practice, he may have been away from Keeseville and his practice for no more than 60 days.

Dr. Sobol was an avid skier. He skied at Whiteface until he was 85. He was a longtime member of the AuSable Forks golf course where he played until his mid-80s, always refusing to use a golf cart. He was meticulous about caring for his yard and did so without help until late in life.

Dr. Sobol is survived by his wife, Irene Sobol; his daughter, Marta Clute and son-in-law James Clute; his daughter, Christina Gray of Boulder, Colo.; his daughter, Astrid Duross and son-in-law Daniel Duross of Johnstown, N.Y.; and his grandchildren, Sean Clute and his companion Pauline Jennings; Lara (Clute) Law and her husband Yu Kay; Damian Duross, Cian Duross, Asher Duross and Darcy Duross. Dr. Sobol also enjoyed visits and conversations about their homeland, Ukraine, with his nieces and nephews: Tania Darmochwal, Mykola and Zoriana Darmochwal and Slava and Christina Sobol.

There will be no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial in his memory will be celebrated at the Immaculate Conception Church in Keeseville, N.Y., at 11 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2009, with Monsignor Leeward J. Poissant, pastor, celebrating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Those wishing to make gifts in his memory can do so by sending a donation to the CVPH Foundation, 75 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901, or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 124 Clinton St., Keeseville. To light an online candle and offer condolences in the memory of Theophil Sobol, please visit www.hamiltonfuneralhome.com.