Arthur Henry Wilson
December 7, 1918 - March 9, 2011
Obituary
In Loving Memory of Arthur Henry WILSON, MD
December 7, 1918 ~ March 9, 2011 Arthur Henry Wilson of Normandy Park, WA, passed away Wednesday morning surrounded by his family.
Art was a remarkable man. As a loving husband and dedicated father of four, he was generous, kind and loved to help others. In his active life he skied, played tennis, hunted, fished and loved carpentry. He shall be greatly missed by family, friends, and all those who knew him.
Art was born on a farm in Josephine, North Dakota on December 7, 1918. He was the third son of English parents, Robert and Edith Wilson. During the Depression he and his family headed west to Washington State after seeing an advertisement for strawberries two inches in diameter. After finishing high school, Art worked for a man who introduced him to the then novel idea of nutrition. It was this interaction that first sparked Art’s interest in medicine. In 1942, Art joined the U.S. Merchant Marines for the duration of the war. Following the war’s conclusion, he enrolled at the University of Washington to study medicine and spent each summer building and selling homes to finance his education. Art met Frances Gholson Rickman when he was a junior medical student at the Seattle V.A. hospital. He then graduated in 1954 and married Frances in 1955 at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church. They were active members of their congregation for over fifty years where Art was an elder and deacon.
Art had a wonderful life. He was married to Frances for fifty-six years and had four children. As an ophthalmologist, he had an eye clinic in Burien for forty years. He enjoyed his patients so much that he did not retire until he was eighty. He loved a good joke and made incorrigible puns. The way he lived set an inspiring example for his family.
Art is survived by his beloved wife Frances, children Gregg Bonnie, Laurie Ashok, Robert Susan, Heather Remick, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, brothers Jim and Lloyd, sisters Mabel and Florence and his beloved dog, Toby preceded him in death.
A service to celebrate Arthur’s life will take place March 19, 2011 at 2:00 at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, 15003 14th Ave. SW, Burien, WA 98166.
In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to Lake Burien Presbyterian Church or to your favorite charity