Arthur Tormet, M.D., 93

LEWES - Arthur Tormet, M.D., passed away at his home Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. He was 93.

Art was born Jan. 3, 1914, in Tallinn, Estonia.

He was an Estonian champion swimmer and went on to graduate from medical school in Tartus, Estonia.

He married Helen Pukits in 1940.

When the Germans overran Estonia in World War II, Art was assigned to an Estonian field hospital - similar to an army MASH unit.

At the end of World War II, with the collapse of the German army, Art and Helen fled from Estonia to Finland by motorboat in the middle of the night to avoid reprisals by the returning Russians.

They lived in Finland and Sweden for a short time and made their way to New York City in 1947, where Art interned at Mount Vernon Hospital from 1947 to July 1948.

In 1948, Art and Helen came to Lewes, where he began work as a doctor at Beebe Hospital.

One of his specialties was analyzing EKGs for the hospital.

He was medical director of Lewes Convalescent Center from 1992 to 1994.

Art was also on staff at the Harrison House in Georgetown in the early 1990s.

Art helped sponsor two other Estonian doctors, Dr. Ware and Dr. Wilberg who were also associated with Beebe Hospital.

He started his own private practice on Lewes Beach in 1959, where he was a family doctor and friend to many residents in the community, and went above and beyond with his generosity, kindness and concern.

Art retired from medical practice in 1997 when he was 83.

Art was a person who wanted to spend his entire life learning and had quite a book collection.

He was always interested in science and physics, even performing physics experiments in his basement.

He constructed his own reflecting telescope, down to grinding the main mirror.

Art had an interest in photography and built a darkroom in the basement for processing photographs.

He was a certified Ham radio operator and was active in that field for several years.

Art had a lifelong interest in electronics and computers.

He had an artistic side as well. He drew in pen and ink, liked classical music and could play the violin and piano.

Besides English and Estonia, Art could speak Russian and a little German, too.

After retirement, Art enjoyed researching and analyzing the stock market.

During Art"s life, he believed exercise and eating healthy was very important to live an extended life.

He jogged for many years, then walked and used his exercise bike until he was 91.

Art was a kind, gentle man who cared for so many people; we will all miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Leena; and his wife, Helen Tormet, who died in 1993.

He is survived by one son and his wife, Richard and Shirley Tormet of Seville, Ohio; one daughter, Ann Tormet of Athens, Ohio; and one grandson, Rich Tormet, also of Seville, Ohio; his longtime companion, Ann Dorman Hedley of Angola; Ann"s children, Gregg Hedley, Doug and Allison Hedley, all of Angola, Frank Thompson, Dolores Pierce and her daughter, Meredith of Millsboro.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in St. George"s Chapel on Del. 23 in Harbeson.

Friends may call from noon-1 p.m Saturday at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services on Long Neck Road in Millsboro.

Instead of flowers, contributions in Arthur"s name can be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Beebe Hospital Foundation, Cardiovascular Department, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.