Richard Q. Penick

Family-Placed Obituary

Dr. RICHARD Q. PENICK Dr. Richard Q. Penick, 89, of Jensen Beach, FL, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on July 16, 2010 with family at his side. Dr. Penick was born in 1921 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. Dr. Penick established the area's first ambulance service, the Jensen Beach Samaritans, which provided free ambulance service to residents for over 15 years. He spearheaded one of the first successful polio vaccination programs in Florida. He started the Festival of the Arts ("Causeway Arts Fair"). He served as president of the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce and Jensen Beach Kiwanis Club; chief of staff and board member at Martin Memorial Hospital (where he was on staff for nearly 30 years); president of the Martin County Medical Society and Tri-County Medical Society; president of the American Heart Association, Palm Beach-Martin County Chapter (receiving the Distinguished Service Award for 23 years of continuous service and leadership); and an advisory board member for Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan. 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. 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. At the same time, he was a man of great conscience and discipline, and was deeply religious. He visited patients and friends at the hospital, nursing home, or their homes - wherever and whenever he was needed. They often stopped by his home as well when they had a minor injury or health concern, or to deliver a gift of freshly caught fish, hand-picked fruit or baked goods. Dr. Penick pursued a variety of personal interests including art, science, genealogy, woodworking, welding, architecture, landscaping, electronics, and home repairs. He loved music, had a large collection of albums, a beautiful tenor singing voice, and tried his hand at the organ, the dulcimer and the banjo. He also loved sports, both as a spectator and a participant. Short in stature due to an early childhood injury for which he underwent spinal fusion surgery at the tender age of 3 - and stayed in the hospital, bedridden and immobilized, until he was 7 - Dr. Penick was nonetheless a determined athlete. 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; supported local school football, basketball and wrestling teams; and in his retirement, competed in the Senior Olympics for many years, winning numerous medals in everything from badminton to swimming. He was also an avid walker and instrumental in creating a fitness trail at Langford Park in Jensen Beach. Dr. Penick was fond of collecting "junk", and had a basement filled with hats, tools, sporting goods, paintings, costumes and souvenirs of his travels (another love) - most purchased at thrift shops or yard sales. He was eager to share these items with anyone who found a use for them, including his children and their friends who in their youth had great fun exploring the basement for treasures. He also loved holidays, especially Christmas, when he decorated his home and nearby office building with lights and plastic Santas, and filled the neighborhood with seasonal music from outdoor speakers. He wore one red and one green sock to show his holiday spirit, and on other occasions was fond of donning bolo ties, colorful shirts and buttons (such as "kiss me it's my birthday"). After their retirement 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 and son-in-law Harold Holcombe of Swannanoa, N.C.; daughter Kayleen Penick Cavanaugh and son-in-law Kim Cavanaugh of West Palm Beach, FL; grandson Christopher Holcombe and his wife, Jenna, of Wilmington, N.C.; granddaughters Olivia Rebekah Holcombe, Anna Lillian Holcombe and Kathryn Deanna Cavanaugh; great-granddaughter Ashtyn Starr Holcombe; and many beloved nieces, nephews, their spouses and children. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, September 26 at 3:30 PM, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2221 NE Savannah Road, Jensen Beach, FL, 34957. Immediately following will be a Celebration of Life party at Indian Riverside Park clubhouse, on Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach. Everyone is welcome. Please contact daughter Kayleen at: Kayleen.cavanaugh@gmail.com for further information. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to the National Alzheimer's Society or the charity of your choice. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries