Dr. Arnold Michals

otherwise known as "Mike", "Bud", "Doc", "Arnie", and "Pa" to those who loved him, died Monday, December 17, 2007. His 89 years of life concluded after an illness that slowly took away his expressive language and motor skills but fortunately did not prevent him from often sharing his wonderful smile.Dr. Michals' life focused around the following main areas: love of God, his family, the practice of medicine, reading and tending to his orange grove.He celebrated his faith at the Loma Linda University Church of Seventh-Day Adventist while a resident in the Loma Linda and Redlands, California area for most of his life.Born in North Dakota on March 17, 1918 to Katherine and N.J. Michals, he spent his early years in Loma Linda while his father attended medical school. He returned to the area to study medicine himself several years later. It was there because of alphabetical seating arrangements he met his dearest friend for life, Dr. Arthur Miller, who helped to shape the rest of his medical career.Dr. Michals' surgical residency took him to Akron, Ohio where he developed his expertise in surgery. It was at Akron General Hospital where he also met his wife, Flaudia with whom he shared more than 50 years of marriage before her death in 1996.Leaving his new bride in 1944, he sailed to Europe via the Queen Mary to serve in the Army. The early love story of these newlyweds was recorded during this time due to the daily letters that were written to one another. Travels and memories were captured in many photos and stories shared.Thoracic Surgery was his focus after the return from the War. Training was provided at Detroit General in Michigan. At the invitation of his best friend, he began his practice of surgery at the Loma Linda Sanitarium, the precursor of what is now known as Loma Linda University Medical Center between the years of 1955- 1963. Moving to San Bernardino County Hospital, he continued to practice his faith and serve the needs of patients and families requiring medical care. He helped to insure student residents from Loma Linda University Medical School and UCLA would receive the best possible training. He retired in 1994 from active surgery. His reputation as a surgeon was always balanced with a caring personality. A comment by a fellow surgeon described him perfectly: "He was the kindest man you would ever know."Throughout his career his wife always used to tease that he was a surgeon to support his avocation as a farmer. He tended to his orange grove with great care insuring that fallen leaves were cleared and that oranges were picked at the best possible flavor. For more than 30 years he and his family would pick and sell his oranges in front of their home. Each orange was carefully inspected and wiped clean before boxing.Activities of his children were always great sources of pride. Piano recital attendance, supporting events cheered, musical events photographed and academic successes celebrated were guarantees that his children could count on. He usually had a magazine tucked away in a pocket in case the program didn't start on time. Snatching his reading material away often became a source of fun for the family.In his final years, he made it easier on his family and moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he could benefit from some additional assistance. Trading oranges for apples, he came to love his new setting and made many new friends. Drives around the island always included trying to see Mt. Rainer from various locations.He is survived by his son Jerry Michals and his partner Cindy Partridge; two daughters and their husbands Kathy and Donald Engen and Joanne and Rodney Wright. His granddaughter Michelle will also have a wonderful memory of him clearly saying he loved her when other speech was not intelligible. A brother Herbert Michals and his family will also share this loss.His family was blessed with three bonus years because of the assistance provided by the staff of Island Health and Rehabilitation on Bainbridge Island and would like to acknowledge their help. Special thanks are given to Gib Ferguson for his daily ministry of care and the recording of fun anecdotes in "Doc's" life. He insured that the quality of care Dr. Michals gave to so many was returned. For his kindness to "Dad", the family will always be grateful.Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.