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February 8, 2012

Letter: Late physician was dear family friend

To the editor:

With the death of Joseph R. Petranek, M.D., also known as "Dr. Bob," our family has lost a man who was almost a family member.

Back in the 1950s Dr. Bob interned at Salem Hospital under the guidance of our father, Dr. Henry Stebbins.

Bob was an important part of our growing up in Marblehead.

He spent much of his free time with us, sailing, hauling and launching boats, discussing medical matters at the dinner table, and acting as an attentive, kind and sympathetic courtesy "uncle" to the four of us kids. We could bring our concerns to him, being sure that we would be heard.

We anxiously followed the progress of his courtship of his wife, Jacquie, whom we all liked very much, and were worried for her climbing up slippery dock ladders in the Bay of Fundy when they cruised Down East.

We were all saddened when the marriage ended.

We continued to see him as he practiced medicine in Essex County, only losing touch as we ourselves married and moved away.

But when we came home to visit, we knew where to find him.

Now, even though he is no longer here, we shall still carry him with us in our fond memories. Goodbye, Dr. Bob, and thank you!

Anne Stebbins Funderburk

For the children of Dr. Henry D. Stebbins

Seal Harbor, Maine

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