H. DURWOOD TYNDALL, M.D.
Nov. 19, 1925-June 26, 2011
Dr. H. Durwood Tyndall died June 26, 2011, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, N.C.
Born Nov. 19, 1925, in Wayne County, N.C., he was son of the late Viola and Hubert Tyndall.
Prior to college, Dr. Tyndall served as a sergeant in the United States Army during World War II, and later served as a captain in the National Guard.
He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and went on to graduate from the University of North Carolina's first four-year medical school class in 1954. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Kappa honorary medical fraternity.
After a medical internship in Allentown, Pa., he opened his practice in family medicine in Goldsboro, and practiced there for nearly 40 years. House calls were customary during the earlier years of his practice.
He was an early advocate for health coverage for all, irrespective of income, believing that health care is a right, not a privilege.
His proudest moment as a member of the North Carolina Medical Society was when he and fellow members successfully petitioned the General Assembly to pass the seat belt law protecting children, and he even had seat belts added to the back seat of his cars for his children.
He served as president of the Wayne County Medical Society and as treasurer of the University of North Carolina Medical Alumni Association. He enjoyed practicing medicine with his son-in-law, Dr. Howard Newell, for nine years prior to retirement.
Immediately after retirement from practice, Dr. Tyndall was a clinical instructor at East Carolina University Medical School.
He traveled to Belize as a medical missionary, and often served as doctor of the day for the North Carolina General Assembly and as a doctor on call on WRAL-TV.
A lifelong learner, he enjoyed teaching the J. Paul Edwards Sunday school class at St. Paul United Methodist Church, and playing bluegrass fiddle music for friends and family.
He was a certified master gardener, and frequently worked on his farms in Wayne and Lenoir counties.
He was a longtime member of Golden K Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Tyndall's two greatest joys in retirement were visits from his children and grandchildren and friends, and time at home with his beloved wife and best friend, Catherine. His life was devoted to his large and loving family.
Dr. Tyndall was a successful breeder of Arabian horses, and his family shared his love of horses. His horses won many awards, and one was designated as the National Champion Mare of Italy. He also enjoyed trail horseback riding trips with his family in the mountains of North Carolina, Colorado and Wyoming.
The family wants to thank his many physicians and healthcare workers, as well as friends and family, for their devoted and professional care.
Dr. Tyndall will be best remembered as a loving father and husband.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Catherine Hill Tyndall; their five children and their spouses, Hope Hancock and husband, Gerry, Faith (Sissy) Newell and husband, Howard, Catherine Hollowell and husband, Alan, Prudy Frederick and husband, Ron, and Durk Tyndall and wife, Kristin; and grandchildren, Katie Newell Leach and husband, Daniel, Hope Newell, Trey Newell, Mary Catherine Hollowell, Adron Hollowell, Betsy Frederick, Emmy Frederick, Olivia Tyndall and Isabeau Tyndall.
He is also survived by his sister, Doris Lancaster, and his brother, Carl Tyndall. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Betsy Owens and her husband, Jack Lawrence.
He was predeceased by his parents, Viola and Hubert Tyndall, and his sister, Gladys Garris.
A memorial service for Dr. Tyndall will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Goldsboro Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at 11 a.m., with visitation immediately following at the church.
To honor his wishes, his family has donated his body to the University of North Carolina Medical School.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Catherine and Durwood Tyndall Scholarship at Wayne Community College, 3000 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534; St. Paul United Methodist Church, 204 E. Chestnut St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530; or Kitty Askins Hospice Center at 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on June 27, 2011 1:49 PM