|
|
|
Dr. Arthur Allen Clevenger
|
|
Dr. Arthur Allen Clevenger, age 88, passed away on the afternoon of November 10th, 2011, at Yakima Regional Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Dr. Clevenger, known by friends as Art, was born August 10th, 1923 in Lawrence, Kansas, to Louis Edgar and Berdena (Kinkead) Clevenger. After graduating from Salina High School, he enrolled in the Air Force. On his birthday in 1947, Art married Virginia Mae Monahan in Salina, Kansas. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in 1950, and practiced pharmacy in Arizona until he returned to school at the Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery, receiving his doctorate in 1958. Upon completion of his medical internship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Art, Virginia and their young daughter moved to Sunnyside, WA, in 1959, where he joined the practice of Dr. A.E. Borchardt. They, along with Dr. P.J. Swofford and Dr. G.A. Dierdorff, were founders of Sunnyside General Hospital. Throughout his 32 years as a primary care physician, Dr. Clevenger cared for and touched the lives of his many patients. During his career, he served on many state and local medical groups, including the State Osteopathic Licensing Board. He was a member of the Sunnyside Community Hospital Board of Trustees from 1988 to 2006. After retiring from private practice, he continued to work shifts in the emergency room, and was a director of the Mattawa Clinic.
Even with his busy practice Art always made time for his family. They enjoyed yearly stays at Cannon Beach, and many trips along the west coast, ranging from Alaska to Arizona. He was trainer, groom, and stable hand for their horse farm, Meadow Lark Morgans. Art was never at a loss for things to do. Among his passions were handball, falconry, bow hunting, hiking, cycling, canoeing, race walking, and finally golf, which he played until the last month of his life. He was not only a promoter of fitness, but a living example. A fixture of the Sunnyside community, he could often be seen running, walking, cycling, or driving his Subaru with “JOGGER” license plates around town. He completed Spokane Bloomsday Runs, mini-triathlons, and the River to Ridge Relay. He participated in competitive race walking well into his "masters" years, even traveling to Miami for a national competition. Indeed, Art never stopped pushing himself to extremes, both physically and mentally. He had an insatiable appetite for reading and learning, and never stopped seeking knowledge on a vast array of topics. He was also an active member of the Terrace Heights Presbyterian Church where he enjoyed lively discussions and camaraderie. No one can deny that Art truly lived every moment of his 88 years.
Art is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia Clevenger; his children Cindy Clevenger and her husband Bill Fincke of San Diego, CA; Lisa Clevenger and her husband Marty Sievertson of Bainbridge Island, WA; Hugh Clevenger of Bend, OR; and Christy Clevenger of Sunnyside, WA; his cherished grandchildren Arthur Dylan and Aidan Kinkead Sievertson of Seattle and Bainbridge Island, WA; and his faithful yellow lab, Abby.
A memorial service will be held at Terrace Heights Community Presbyterian Church on December 17th, 2011 at 2pm.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Art's memory is asked to give to the Pacific Northwest University of Health Science, 111 University Parkway, Yakima, WA. 98901. Online condolences may be made at www.valleyhillsfh.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Words can not express how sad I am at the loss of such a great person, father, boss, mentor, teacher, Dr, leader & friend. I worked with Dr Clevenger years ago. I will never forget how he helped alot of patients as well as my self through many difficult times. He will be deeply missed by many.
With Sincere Sympathy,
Sandy Standley (Myers)
|
|
|
|
Virginia (Giny);
Don;t know if you remember me, Kelley Roberts/Charvet. I knew you and Dr. Clevenger while I worked at S'side hospital in Human Resources also went to school with Lisa. I was sad to read about Art's passing. I so enjoyed my visits with him and working with you on auxilary events. Please know you and your family are in my prayers. Art was a very special man, he will live on in your lives with all your beautiful memories.
Blessings to you and your family,
Kelley Charvet
|
|
|
|
|
So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Brenda Rider-Ross
|
|
|
|
To Mrs. Clevenger, Cindy, Lisa, Hugh and Christie,
I have so many wonderful memories of Dr. Clevenger and my time spent with your family. Times spent at your home in Sunnyside, in Sunriver and many others where Dr. Clevenger took his time and made memories with us. He always treated us "friends" like just another one of his kids. He was a special man and loved you all very much! You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time! May God Bless and Keep you all!
Kelly (Bartley) Harrington
|
|
|
|
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Virginia Clevenger and family. I am so sorry for your loss and have all of you in my prayers.
Dr. Clevenger and you were two very special people in my life years ago. You were my second grade teacher and the BEST teacher in the world to me. May God Bless all of you.
Marcy (Mata) Vidaurri
|
|
|
|
|
On behalf of our father Clair Sterrett and Warren& Madelyn Fordycecwe would like to extend our sympathy in the passing of Dr. Clevenger. Our aunt Mary Smith was the Dr's nurse for many years and was always very fond of the Doctor and enjoyed her time working for him.
|
|
|
|
|
My deepest sympathy towards the loss of a great Man and Humanitarian. I was little aquainted with Mr. Clevenger, although i do remember him and His Wife. I went to Outlook Grade School and always remember the Clevenger from when they lived up on the hill in Sunnyside. My name is Jose Antonio Limon and would like to send my deepest regards to Mrs. Clevenger at this time of her loss. Thank You
|
|
|
|
|
My husband and I got married in 1959 and prior to that time Dr. Clevenger was my husband's family doctor. One of the most important time of our lives was when my husband, Mike, lost his arm in a farming accident. By the time his brother, Gary, got him to the hospital Mike had no blood pressure or heart beat. As God would have it, Dr. Clevenger just happened to be exiting the hospital to return to his office when Gary arrived. Due to Dr. Clevenger's fast acting and excellent care, Mike survived and Dr. Clevenger remained our doctor until we moved to Alaska in 1985. We will always be grateful to him for his wonderful sense and direct sense of humor. I also recall a time when I had to have surgery and it was my birthday! He came in to see me the morning after surgery and told me I could go home after I "pooed". Well, for some reason I just couldn't manage that. When the afternoon rolled around he came to see me again. He showed up with a box of chocolates and let me go home but I had to promise him I would call if I couldn't perform! So many memories. He was a wonderful physician and dear friend. Our hearts go our to the family as we know he will be missed greatly. We pray God will surround each of you with His peace. Lovingly, Mike and Mary Herndon
|
|
|
|
|
A colleague, and underclassman of my father, who liked him but loved to argue with him. One of the first physicians I met when I moved to Sunnyside as a teen. He will be missed.
|
|
|
|
|
He was a classmate and my best friend in med. school. We stayed in touch frequently since graduation. I am at a loss for words by his death. May God bless his family. Dr. Len Barrow, Ponce Inlet, Florida.
|
|
|
|
Dr. Clevenger has always been in our hearts. I am the second oldest child of ten to Marjorie Ann Wibberding. We moved to the Yakima Valley April 10, 1960. My mother had been told by California doctors that she had arthritis/bursitis in her arm. Dr. Clevenger diagnosed her with 'Breat Cancer', he told her she had perhaps only 3 months to live. She would not leave his office until he gave her at least 6 months. She agreed to experimental cancer meds and with his care and her strong will, he kept her in our lives for almost 3 more years. She remained active with us kids and on the farm through surgeries, chemo and radiation treatments. He was a VERY caring doctor and we love and admire him for giving us more quality time with our mother. Our ages were 2 to 17 and he did what he could for her, as well as for us. When my mother died, he took it real hard. You see, she was the first patient he had ever lost and he admired her strong will, caring nature!
and loving heart. The very same qualities that Dr. Clevenger possessed. His passing tugs at my heartstrings and I send my love and prayers for him and his family. . . . . Lindy (Wibberding) Hicks of Sacramento
|
|
|
|
To Virginia and the Family:
We feel so sorry for your loss, I know
Art will be missed greatly. I remember and have many wonderful memories on my stay with you, your friendly hospitality, being treated as on of your kids. I will always remember and be grateful.
Art will always stay in my memories.
With love,
Jana + Ivan and
Barbora, Klára
|
|
|
|
|
