William Kent Scupham, MD
June 24, 1921-January 11, 2014
"There are four things that make a good day. First, you get up. You help someone. You learn something. Then you have a little fun. And if you don't have fun... don't get up."
William Kent Scupham, 92, leaves behind a legacy of unwavering family love and loyalty, unassuming dedication to God and friends, and gentle healing of broken bodies and spirits. He and Mary Ellen (Kinison), his wife of almost 69 years, met in 1944 and built a life that has touched thousands of others.
Bill ... or Daddy or Dad... or Bop Bop... or Doctor... depending on how you know him... is survived by Mary; their six children and spouses, Janet Knight of Kokomo; Rick (Melanie) Scupham of West DesMoines, Iowa; Nancy (John) Hutchings of Elkhart; David (Jane) Scupham of Valparaiso; Andy (Heidi) Scupham of Union, Michigan; and Mary Kay (Peter) Steele of LaPorte; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother George Robert (Patricia) Scupham and his sisters Jean Ratko and Joanne Elghammer.
Born in Homewood, Illinois to Dr. George William Scupham and Estelle Kent, Bill graduated from Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, and went on to medical school and to receive his M.D. from Northwestern University School of Medicine. He met Mary, who was in nursing school, during this time. Bill did his internship at Cook County Hospital, Chicago. Shortly before Bill and Mary married, he joined the United States Navy and together they moved to Long Beach, California, where Bill served as Lieutenant Junior Grade on the U.S.S. Jason as medical doctor and chaplain.
Bill and Mary returned to Homewood in 1949 where Bill began medical practice in Chicago with his father. In 1953 the Scupham family moved to the neighboring suburb of Flossmoor where they lived until moving to La Porte in 1972.
Bill practiced at the LaPorte Clinic, I Street, and LaPorte Hospital until his retirement in 1986. He and Mary lovingly restored one of La Porte's historic homes and were active members in the First United Methodist Church of La Porte. Avid travelers, Bill and Mary roamed the world together both before and after Bill's retirement in 1986, learning about the arts, cultures and customs of other countries and bringing this newfound knowledge home to share with family and friends.
Bill also shared his love of Lake Michigan with his family, a love that began when he was a boy. Sailing, swimming, and the ecology of the lakefront were all passions he passed on to Mary and then to his children and grandchildren.
Time at home was often spent with Mary in the gardens surrounding their home where "supper" was always a time of family togetherness and content, Mary doing the cooking and Bill setting the table and helping with the dishes.
Music has played an important role in the Scupham family, in great part because of Bill's love and appreciation of it. He and Mary loved to dance. And while not a pianist in the strictest definition, Bill could definitely play the piano, playing his children to sleep on many evenings.
"So it is that he brings air and cheer into the sickroom, and often enough, though not so often as he wishes, brings healing." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 17, at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1225 Michigan Avenue, La Porte. Visitation with the family will begin at noon and there will be fellowship after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to the First United Methodist Church or to the National Alzheimer's Association.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.cutlerfuneral.com