Gone Too Soon

We had just moved from Sunbury to Silver Springs, in Lancaster County, in August of 1963 when Craig became very ill. He was just four months old. We didn't have a doctor here yet and somebody recommended Dr. Richard Bryson in Landisville. We got an appointment and as soon as Dr. Bryson saw Craig, he sent us to the hospital and contacted a surgeon to meet us there. Within a few hours, Craig was on the operating table with a condition called intussusception a condition in which a part of the intestine has invaginated into another section of intestine. Thankfully it was caught in time and the surgeon was able to repair the intestine and save Craig's life. This condition is very rare, especially in a young baby and most doctors never have such a case. Dr. Bryson had only ever seen one such case before, in his own daughter. We thank God for the miracle of sending us to him. We loved Dr. Bryson who was a caring old-time doctor and we went to him for many years until he retired. A young doctor took over his practice but a few years later he left the practice. However, before he left, he picked out doctors for each of his patients. He suggested that we see Dr. Robert Stengel, another young doctor who practiced alone in Lancaster. We actually interviewed Dr. Stengel and then decided to make him our family doctor. And for many years he took care of us. Then one Monday, after we returned from a weekend at Pinebrook, Dianne called for an appointment. The nurses tearfully told us that on Friday Dr. Stengel closed his practice very suddenly. He had been running a fever and took blood tests of himself and when the results came back on Friday, he realized that he had a very aggressive form of leukemia. He knew that he needed immediate treatment. So while he began years of treatment, we switched to Oyster Point Family Practice where we have appreciated the work of the group of doctors there. Then, a few years ago, we were surprised when Dr. Stengel was added to their staff. He was in remission and came back to work. To support him and raise funds for cancer research, the employees there formed "Bob's Squad". Regularly they had fund raisers and participated in cancer walks. Everybody loved Dr. Stengel, a kind doctor with a compassionate heart. Several times during the past few years he would have to take a leave of absence to return for more treatment as the cancer would return. A few months ago I had a minor issue that I needed to have treated before we left for a week at Pinebrook. I was able to get the last Saturday appointment, and the doctor on duty was Dr. Stengel. When I asked how he was, he told me that this was his last day and that he had to return for more treatment. He was happy that he was able to secure one of the best specialists in the field to take over his case. I felt so bad. Here I was, his last patient, with just a minor issue, while he was facing a return to battle this terrible disease. We hadn't heard anything recently about him, so when I was at Oyster Point last Thursday, during my treatment, I asked how he was doing. I was confidentially told that they had just received word that he had passed away that morning. At 51 years of age, with three children, he had lost his final battle. Monday the practice closed because of his funeral. He will be missed by many. Even though he was no longer our regular doctor, he always said "hi" to us when we saw him at Oyster Point. We will miss his cheerful smile and laugh. Another good guy gone just too soon.