Dr. Roy Corbin, father, friend, and podiatrist extraordinaire passed away April 10, 2014 listed below are condolences from friends and colleagues
I need to honor my dear friend Dr. Roy Corbin who passed away April 10, 2014 in Bangor, Maine Roy was a great podiatrist, but would want you to know how much he loved his two boys more than anything else in the universe. Roy was kind, soft spoken, easy to laugh, generous, and always taking care of you. I met Roy when we both served on the Board of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine together 1987 to 1993. He loved his University of Maine that he showed me so proudly. A New Yorker by birth, but a true native of Maine by desire. He was a gifted dedicated Podiatrist that would do anything for his patients and staff. His staff was his family. He spoke of them (when I used to make his orthotics) with love. Few people have touched me as much as Roy. He was gentle and humble, and quietly went along his business with great passion. Thank you Roy, I am only one of thousands who did not get a chance to tell you enough what you meant to us. Roy and I always joked how could any professional board have him and I as back to back presidents!! What a loss! His spirit was incredible, an open book, a gentle giant. My great sorrow for your family and friends. You will be sorely missed. We all loved you. ---- Rich Blake, DPM San Francisco, California Everyone says the good people die early. The reason for this is we hang out with good people. I was on the board with Roy and he was special. He was a hard worker very competent but above all he was genuine. When Roy walked into the room everyone smiled because he was funny and fun to be with. My wishes to his family. ---- Gary Gordon, DPM Glenside, Pennsylvania I had the privilege of serving with Roy on the AAPSM board. He was a gem. He added so much to every meeting. In recent years, I would see him several times a year at Region 1, APMA meetings and other places. We recently shared some quality time at the APMA National. I am sure some of you know, he was a talented performed. One night, while at an AAPSM meeting, he entertained us all with song, comedy and stories. He was a special man. My condolences to his family. ----Lloyd Smith, DPM- Newton Centre, Massachusetts Roy Corbin was one of the nicest of nice guys. When I had my cancer back in the 1990's he was one of the first on the phone and then sent me live lobsters from Main, for dinner for me and my family. He often brought his boys with him to the meetings for fun and travel. We have had too many good men pass away from cancer before their time. They were truly what made this academy great and of value both for their friendship and knowledge. May God bless him, ----Michael Lowe, DPM Salt Lake City, Utah Along with Roy's clinical acumen, he touched us all in in so many additional personal ways - his kindness, gentleness, generosity, humor, and support. There is a special pair of mukluks waiting for him. God bless you and your family, Roy, and thank you. ----Phyllis Ragley, DPM Lawrence, Kansas When I heard the sad news of Roy's passing I was overcome with grief and could not write these words until today. I feel as if I and our Academy have lost more than just a
colleague and friend. Roy was my surgical resident as a junior at NYCPM. That's where I got to know and befriended Roy. As so many have stated Roy reached out and became everyone's friend. I remember vividly going up with Jennifer to Bar Harbor Maine and spending time with Roy at his home at his office. We played with Garrett and Brandon and after going up to his lake cabin; I thought Roy has found a new home. He loved Bangor, the ice fishing, the skiing, the people and his patients. He adopted Maine as his home, and with it, were all his down Eastern lobstermen jokes. I loved them. Roy could make you laugh so easily. It was there that I saw Roy raise Garrett and Brandon. He loved them and was so proud of them. He would bring them to meetings so he could share his family with us. Roy also contributed so much the field of podiatry in Maine. He often shared with us his work with the teams and with Special Olympics. Then I remember our days on the board together. Mark Julsrud said it best when he referred to Roy as Roy Boy. He was truly a young spirit, and wanted to share laughter and camaraderie with all his friends. We were his family as well. He was truly a good soul. Friday night I said Kaddish (memorial prayers) for Roy, and will continue to say them for the 30 day period. He would have liked that. As an Academy, we have lost a brother and friend. May God grant him eternal peace. Our deepest sympathies to Garrett, Brandon, Susan and his family. ----Jeff Ross, DPM Houston, Texas We are trying to come to terms with the enormity of the loss. I am sure we are not alone. Roy was one of the kindest, most empathetic, selfless and dedicated people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. As President of the AAPSM (1986) it was my honor to get Roy more deeply involved with the Academy. During those early "brochure writing days", I asked Roy to write brochures for Special-Needs Athletes. Like everything else Roy did, they were top notch. We have been friends for over 30 years. We will miss our annual Sugarloaf weekend skiing with Roy, Garrett, and Brandon. The Corbin boys taught our son, Owen, how to snow- board at Sugarloaf. Roy and I developed a special bond over these many years. We often compared notes in regards to being single parents raising two boys. It is with great sorrow that Lenore, Owen and I mark the passing of a truly wonderful man. Garrett and Brandon we will miss dad. Susan, our heart goes out to you. You made Roy's life complete. We will remember all the good times we shared with "Uncle Roy". ----Lenore, Jeff and Owen Yale Marco Island, Florida Roy was one of the most beloved gentlemen you could ever meet. His great sense of humor and his unconditional kindness will never be forgotten. He was a true inspiration and a wonderful friend and those of us fortunate enough to know him will remember him always. ----- ----Mark Julsrud, DPM Rochester, Minnesota Roy Corbin was on the board of AAPSM when I attended my first Academy stand-alone meeting in the late 1980's. Roy noticed I was a newcomer and took me aside to tell me about his enthusiasm for being a board member and serving the Academy. He was truly an inspiration for me to get further involved and later becoming a board member myself. Two years ago, Roy called me to recommend a young podiatrist who had served as an athletic trainer at the University of Maine and who subsequently went on to podiatry school under Roy's mentoring. Based upon Roy's passionate recommendation, I hired Jeremy Cook D.P.M. as an
associate in my practice. Thanks to Roy's influence, Jeremy possesses the highest level of integrity and personal values that I have seen in our profession. This young man will carry forward this gift provided by one of the great leaders of our Academy. Thank you, Roy for all that you have done for me and our profession! ----Doug Richie, DPM Seal Beach, California Roy Corbin was a quiet yet dedicated man to his family, profession and friends. The past year, Roy served as the Fit Feet Clinical Director for Maine Special Olympics. At his stage in life, most people would have had the position, "I've done my part, time for someone else to get involved". Instead Roy said, "How can I help and what do I need to do?". He always had a smile on his face and greatly supported the board of AAPSM. I am thankful that I got to know Roy and like all of us will miss him greatly. ----Pat Nunan, DPM Cincinnati, Ohio Roy was a sincere friend to all of us who were privileged to know him, sincere in his guidance of our Academy, and surely a sincere, caring doctor with his patients. As so many of the AAPSM Past Presidents have written, Roy brought a smile into every encounter, and we miss him. He was a good man. I know he was a loving partner and father, and our prayers are for his family during this difficult time. Thank you, Roy, for all you have done to make us who we are today. -- ----Harry Hlavac, DPM Larkspur, California It has all been said: Roy was wonderful man who touched many lives. A class-act who left an ever-lasting impression. He provided me with so much advice and encouragement when I was president. It is hard to believe that he is gone. His son Brandon came to a Heat game with me years ago and the invitation is always there for his family. ----Jim Losito, DPM Miami Shores, Florida Sadly I never had the pleasure of being in Roy's presence. I do know that his leadership brought the Academy to where it is now. I am grateful for his leadership and am saddened I didn't have him as a friend. My thoughts and prayers to Roy's family and friends. ----David Davidson, DPM Amherst, New York I am greatly saddened by Roy's passing. He was one of the 'Great Ones'.----Steve Subotnick, DPM San Leandro, California I am stunned. What a loss to our small but passionate group of DPM s in the AAPSM. Most of all, what a loss to Roy s family whom I sadly must say I never had the pleasure of meeting. I was fortunate, along with Rich, Lloyd, Gary, etc. to serve on the AAPSM Board with Roy. Roy was soft spoken, level headed, and always passionate about our profession. I was just telling my Fellow literally last week about an anecdote involving Roy during our AAPSM days. Roy always made me laugh, always had a timely joke to tell which was often much needed during a few passionate but sometimes contentious Board meetings. I ll never forget you, my friend and look forward to hearing more of your jokes when it s my turn to leave this world.----michael Heaslet, DPM Irvine, California
I had the opportunity to train Roy to become a Clinical Director for Special Olympics several years ago. Although he had many more years experience than any of us at the event he remained humble and willing to take on any task. He reminded me that we learn from everyone we come in contact with. He was a patient, intelligent clinician who had a gift for communication. His gentle demeanor served him well with our athletes as with all of his patients. I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with Roy and will honor him by emulating his abilities. Rest in peace my friend. ----Robert M. Conenello, DPM Orangeburg, New York My thoughts and prayers for Roy and his family. He was good man and I will miss him.----bill Van Pelt, DPM Canyon Lake, Texas AAPSM Past President Dr. Rich Blake and his wife Patty have made it so Roy's guest book will stay on line permanently. Dr. Blake along with the AAPSM welcome members to express their condolences to the family. Please click for additional information along with viewing/signing the guestbook.