Duke University School of Medicine - Aesculapian Yearbook (Durham, NC)

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ll lx lllllffl nmrr' IIHIPUVIIIIII In flume' nrlml .turf of putivul fIll.K' ll cli.ic'r1.w Illllll irlmt .wrt nf fli.wu.ic' tl lnllfvllf lmx. Ralph Arnold could be tersely critical and had no hesitancy in expressing disagreement when he deemed such necessary, but never was the criticism or disagreement colored with malevo- lence. Who can forget his inimitable be that as it may, l think that -and fortunately for many a patient he could rarely be veered from his de- cisions. As a surgeon he had few peers and it was a veritable joy to observe him painstakingly manip- ulate the ossicles with an infinitely delicate touch that belied the ruggedness of his large, powerful hands. Throughout each tedious surgical opera- tion he kept his assistants informed as to each step and maneuver in order that they would soon be able to duplicate his performance. Ralph Arnold died on July IO, 1960 in New --HSI I R York where he had registered in a post-graduate course devoted to perfecting new techniques for the treatment of deafness. lt is highly significant that he participated in more post-graduate sessions than any other staff member, for it epitomized his disdain for complacency and self-satisfaction. This attitude coupled with an unassailable in- tegrity brought him to the forefront in his field. Those of us who worked with him are con- stantly reminded of the benefits gained by virtue of this wonderful association. Whoever henceh forth comes to Duke-be he patient. student or doctor-is likewise indebted to him. for the Duke Medical Center is now and forever a better insti- tution because Ralph Arnold was here for some 24 years. 1 We lmve lvrultwz f'0llIl7lC'fC'l.Y with flu' idea llmt rwzzl- ing lvooks una' listcriirig In fl'C'fIH'l'.S' is un llCff'flIlllfl' training for doc'tor.s'. -VVILLIAM VVl,l.CH y P.XGlf

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Lift' ix .vlmrt.' url ix lung: a'.t'pe1'iel1t'e rliflifull. of Buffalo and was elected to the AOA honorary society. During his years of schooling he found it necessary to energetically pursue a strenuous extra-curricular schedule so as to cart a liveli- hood. Thus he was for years an iceman toting lOO lb. cakes of ice to a retinue of regular cus- tomers, and was for a time selling fruit and pro- duce. This type of total experience fathered his humanism and modesty, but also brought him face to face with the stark realities of life. lt is re- markable that he integrated so successfully the many diverse endeavors during his youth, but to know him made it easily understandable. The affiliation with Duke began in 1936 when he accepted a full time interneship on the then infant Student Health service. He brought to the area a vigor and zest which was to win for him the respect and admiration of patient, nurse and staff. Each student was so carefully followed that no true illness was neglected and every non- organic complaint was usually properly handled. Following this year of close association with the student-patient, he put in three years as a house officer in the E.E.N.T. service and was subse- quently certified by the American Board of Otalaryngology and the American Board of Ophthalmology. The war years saw him serve with the Duke unit in England, following which the armed serv- -Al1SC'Ul.APlUS ices dispatched him for duty in Japan. His col- leagues in both theaters of war were high in the praise of his magnificent efforts as a physician, friend and counsellor. He had some tense mo- ments with respect to Army directives and higher brass but was so sincere and dogged in his choice of action that reason usually prevailed. Dr. Arnold returned to Duke in 1946 after a four year stint in the Army. At this time he made a highly significant decision and married Monice. They had four children, one girl and three boys. He played his role of father with eminent success and the Arnold youngsters grew up in an environ- ment of freedom, understanding, discipline, hap- piness and respect. The proudness with which each one called him Daddy bespoke a complete story of the proper child-father relationship. A gifted teacher, Dr. Arnold gave untiringly of himself. Never was he too busy, too lazy, too tired or too important to assist a student, patient, nurse, resident or senior staff colleague. His un- canny ability to unravel a complicated clinical problem made him the ideal consultant and the prompt dispatch with which he made decisions as to modes of treatment placed heavy demands up- on his time. Also, the willingness with which he accepted the responsibility of examining and treat- ing friends, endeared him to the entire hospital family, professional and non-professional. Sonia patiwils, tlmugli C'0Il.S'l'i0llS rlzut rlieir C'0llllfff0lI is perilmzm 1'vr'oi'w' their health simply tlirrmgli their l'UlIft'HflIIl'llI iriili Ihr' g0oclm'.s'.v of 1110 lJlIj'.S'fCflll'l. mon l6 -HIPPOCRATIZS

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C'f1u11c'c' 11111-Y flll'lIl'.Y flu' mind Ilmt is prepared. -PASTEUR PAQ V V X wf .. 76 6 X I DR. BARNES WOODHALL, M.D. Dean, Duke Univer.s'ity School of Medicine maxi I8