Carl Armstrong

Dr. Carl L. Armstrong, retired Captain, United States Army, 81, passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2010. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan to Coy and Annie Armstrong. As the second oldest of ten children, he recognized that strength was derived from working together which guided his entire life. Dr. Armstrong was a perfectionist, skilled physician and trailblazer who lovingly dedicated his time and energy to helping others. He trained and mentored many local physicians. His calm demeanor, wit and charm touched thousands of lives. Dr. Armstrong was an assistant professor at The Medical College of Ohio (now UT-COM), a member of the Academy of Medicine's Investment Committee for many years and former President of the Toledo Ob-Gyn Society. During his 44 years of practice, Dr. Armstrong delivered thousands of babies, saw even more patients and performed countless surgeries. One of the highlights of his career was sharing a practice with his son, Anthony, who currently serves as Chief of Staff at Mercy St. Vincent's Medical Center. He attended Michigan State University for two and a half years after which he gained early admission to the Meharry Medical School (now Vanderbilt) in Nashville, TN. He received further medical training in Chicago, Illinois at Providence Hospital as a staff physician and while serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. When choosing his medical specialty of obstetrics/gynecology, Dr. Armstrong was influenced strongly by his close relationship with his Mother, Grandmother and six sisters. Because he enjoyed the companionship of women and wanted a specialty with predominantly positive outcomes, obstetrics and gynecology was an easy choice. He also practiced at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii and in Kansas City, Missouri before moving to Toledo to establish his practice and family. Dr. Armstrong enjoyed many activities, most of which were family oriented. He also enjoyed automobile racing with his brother and sons; flying his airplane with his spouse, relatives and friends; boating at the family cottage and attempting to fix, mostly successfully, anything that was broken. He is a member of the Third Baptist Church and the Alpha Phi Boule and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternities. Dr. Armstrong is survived by his wife of thirty eight years, Vernelis, his sons Karl, Dr. Anthony (Myung), Christian, Gregory and Michael; his brothers, Leonard (Doreitha) and Richard (Brenda); sisters, Hazel Cobb, Geraldine Smith, Barbara Campbell (Elmer), Valerie Irwin (Council) and Sharon Holmes, as well as his loving mother-in-law, Pearlean Kinsey. He will also be fondly remembered by his numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, special friends and former patients. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Doris, daughter, Pamela., sister, Charlene and brother, Phillip (Jessie). Family will receive friends from 3:00 PM- 8:00 PM Monday, March 1 at Dale-Riggs Funeral Home located at 572 Nebraska Avenue, Toledo, OH 43604 (419) 248-4254. Web: www.DaleFH.com. Services will begin at 11:00 AM , Tuesday, March 2nd at Third Baptist Church, 402 Pinewood Avenue, Toledo, OH 436404 with Reverend Kevin Bedford presiding. The visitation hour for family will begin at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Third Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, the Academy of Medicine Foundation, the Toledo Museum of Art, Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the American Cancer Society. The family wishes to acknowledge the dedicated and caring staff at Flower Hospital and Lake Park Rehabilitation Center, with special appreciation to Dr. Patrick Walsh of John Hopkins Medical Center, Dr. William Sloan, Dr. Timothy Kasunic, Dr. L. Bhandaru, Dr. Steven Rubin, Dr. Thomas McAlear, Dr. Robert Wenzke, Dr. Kevin Lodge and Dr. Houston Johnson.