Obituary of John Tuttle Clymer MD

John T. Clymer, M.D. John Tuttle Clymer, 88, was born June 27, 1925, in Chicago to Irvin Lloyd and Edith Tuttle Clymer, and died peacefully at home in Tucson on March 19, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eloise; children: Diane (Bill Perry) of Boulder, CO, Brian (Patty) of Tucson, Julia (Tom Zandler) of Phoenix, Owen of Chandler, and Laura of Tucson; grandchildren: Alexandra (Jon Burns), Marissa (Jon Saints), Samantha (Ben Krause), Andrew Perry, Emily Clymer, Marie Clymer, John Zandler, and William Zandler; three great-grandsons; four nieces and three nephews. Preceded by sisters, Hazel Elizabeth "Betty" King and Mary Ellen "Jane" Merena, and two nephews. He studied at Northwestern Univ. as an undergraduate (1943, 1946-48); served in the U.S. Navy, (1943-46); married Eloise Reese (1947); graduated from Univ. of Michigan with MD degree (1952). He interned at Henry Ford Hospital (MI) and took a general practice residency at Maricopa County General Hospital in Phoenix (1953-54). He spent 11 years in general practice in Phoenix before pursuing specialty training in psychiatry at Ypsilanti (MI) State Hospital (1965-68). In 1968, he and his family returned to Arizona, settling in Tucson. After a year as a staff psychiatrist at So. Az. Mental Health Center, Dr. Clymer began private practice in adult psychiatry. He was on staff at St. Mary's, Sonora Desert and Northwest hospitals. He closed his private practice in 1993 but continued adult psychiatry at outpatient mental health care facilities in Tucson and Phoenix. In 1997, he joined the staff at the VA Hospital in Tucson and worked as a compensation and pension examiner until his retirement at age 85 in 2010. He believed it was an honor and privilege to serve his fellow veterans. He was an active member of the Pima County Medical Society, serving as president in 1987. In 2013, he received PCMS' Lifetime Achievement Award. He was president of the Arizona Medical Association in 1980-81. He also belonged to the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association and the Arizona Psychiatric Society. He enjoyed bicycling, crosswords, classical music, writing letters to the editor, studying theology, and observing his children at work in their chosen professions. He was a faithful member of the Casas Adobes Congregational Church, UCC. He was quick with a smile or a hearty laugh; and when asked how he was, he'd often say, "Peachy keen-o." His encouraging and affirming nature touched many others beyond his family. Visitation: Wednesday, March 26, 6-8 pm, Adair Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave. Funeral service: Thursday, March 27, 11 am, Casas Adobes Congregational Church, UCC, 6801 N. Oracle Rd. Reception to follow. Burial: Monday, March 31, 1 pm, National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Cave Creek. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations suggested to: Interfaith Community Services, 2820 W. Ina Rd., Tucson 85741 or BorderLinks, 620 S. 6th Ave., Tucson 85701.