Obituary of Philip Ridlon Kimball M.D.

Philip Ridlon Kimball was born on October 06, 1936 and died unexpectedly at his home in Belfast, Maine, December 23, 2022.

 

My love, you now know the great mystery that the rest of us ponder. With your passing a part of me died my dear Philip. 
 

There will always be a pain in my heart, a void in my mind, and an absence of words remembering our life together.  As your wife of 44 years however there are the memories we made, always embraced by your unselfish love. As a couple we encountered both happy and challenging situations whereby your experience and intelligence were a predictable guide. You never failed to ski ahead of me allowing time for me to catch up; you showed incredible patience teaching me sailing navigation; and for 20 plus years you accompanied me to my cancer care visits.

 

Obviously, your character was built by familial and educational influences.  You often said that you had a “perfect” childhood.  Growing up in the small northern Maine community of Fort Fairfield it is believable that you were provided a good life. Being the son of a general practitioner made you “the doc’s son.” The good of that was your introduction to medicine even as a young boy. When your father’s busy life kept him from teaching you some of Maine’s lifelong skills, he provided others through whom you learned to hunt, canoe, fish, tie flies and water ski.  Your skill in playing horseshoes came from your neighbor the Fire Warden, someone who was meaningful to you.  In addition, many of your school classmates beginning in grammar school developed into lifelong friends.  You recount to me many times your long friendship with Pete Huntress.

 

Your mother having been the eleventh and eldest sibling in her family, essentially raising her family, knew the meaning of responsibility influencing your character as a moral and respectful individual. I believe your kind nature and your ability to listen to others stems from your mother.

 

Upon your graduation from high school and acceptance to Bowdoin College, your father enrolled you in a PG year at Hebron Academy as a preparation. You often said that that one year was more difficult than being a college freshman.  It was at Bowdoin that you would meet Reid Appleby, your roommate, another lifelong friend. You followed one another to Tufts Medical School and then completed your orthopaedic residency at Rhode Island Hospital. Two years during the Vietnam war you were a naval officer stationed in California treating men returning with injuries, an experience you would value in private practice.

You often held this time as good fortune------healing and not wounding in a war that was seemingly endless. ospital

 

In the late 60’s you settled in Bangor and initially practiced with John Woodcock, MD.  Jack Adams, MD partnered with you for over 40 years. You often said that Jack was “the best business partner” and together you built a successful Kimball Adams practice. Your orthopaedic colleague Bob Gause had a stint with you and Jack at Orthopaedic Associates.  Bob introduced you to sailing; you crewed with him from St. George’s Bermuda, an experience you never stopped talking about!

Philip you cared for many patients in the Bangor community and outlying areas with rewarding outcomes and praise for your care; you touched many lives.  You served in leadership roles and held executive duties at EMMC, one being the hospital board president.  You were proud to say that you performed the first total joint replacement surgery in Bangor. You were a progressive thinker keeping up with new techniques and enjoyed interacting with physicians from areas in and out of the state to discuss new ideas and approaches to surgery.

 

Philip, I realize this summary of your 86 years of life is my perspective.  If you were to add to it there might be more specificity regarding your days practicing as an orthopaedic surgeon, sailing and skiing adventures, vacations in St. Lucia and our small quiet retirement in Belfast; but the above stands on its own.

 

Pa, our family will miss your love, guidance, and wit, especially Kellie, Kara, Ava Jo, Christian and Eliza.  Your devoted son-in-law Gabe Muro will miss you.

 

Additionally, you will be remembered by your children: Philip Jr., Debbie, Jennifer, Christopher, Herrick and grandchildren; your sister Carolyn Kimball and husband John McNamara; and sister-in-law Denise Bartoletti and husband Peter Healy.

 

Always,

Your Loving Wife Janet

 

 

Philip’s life will be celebrated in the spring of 2023.          

 

Philip can also be remembered with donations to the Belfast Free Library and Cancer Care of Maine.

 

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com

 

(Photo taken in May of 2022)