William Earl Obituary

EARL William Crawford Earl, M.D., of Harbor Springs, Michigan, died on June 10, 2006, at the age of 72, after a lengthy illness. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. in the Kable Chapel of the Kerns Religious Life Center on the campus of Capital University in Columbus. He was born October 1, 1933 in Columbus, Ohio, son of the late Robert G. and Eleanor (Crawford) Earl. He was a graduate of West High School, class of 1951, and a graduate of Capital University and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, class of 1959. He served an internship at Georgetown University Hospital, in Washington, D.C., and a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The Ohio State University Hospitals. He was Chief of PM&R at Children's Hospital for 25 years, and his teaching of the art and the science of medicine was manifested in the many medical students and residents who trained under him. He was a consummate clinician and a caring and committed physician to his patients and their families. He was a member of the Academy of Medicine of Columbus and Franklin County (now the Columbus Medical Association), the Ohio State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. He served on numerous committees and councils in those associations, and was elected President of the Academy of Medicine in 1974. Throughout his life he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and he never stopped learning. His interests were wide and diverse, and included history, astronomy, aviation, photography, literature, music, and bird-watching. He had a lifelong love of the outdoors, and indulged that love as often he could. But most of all, he loved people; to know him was to have a friend. He was generous with his time, his possessions, and his advice if you wanted it, a compassionate ear if you didn't. His store of jokes is legendary. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Sylvia (nee Henderson); a daughter, Nancy (Scott) Thompson of Harbor Springs, Michigan; a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Earl of Columbus; a son, William D. (Machell) Earl of Groveport, Ohio; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Charles R. Earl. Friends wishing to honor his memory are encouraged to consider the Capital University Development Fund, 1 College and Main, Columbus, Ohio 43209-2394.