Yesterday morning we got a call from a good friend saying that Dr. Blackburn had passed away. Dr.Blackburn is the Doctor that we bought our practice from. He went out for a bike ride at about 5:30 pm. He didn't return home. A search party was called, they found him around 5:00am the next morning. They figured he had a heart attack! The doctor figures he died pretty instantly, and probably didn't suffer long. He was found face down in the dirt off the road a little. His feet were still strapped into the peddle straps. He was a very healthy man. Only about 60 years old. He was just called, and visited with President Uchtdorf two weeks ago, He and his wife were called as Mission President. What an honor!
Dr.Blackburn came to our house and visited with us shortly after his mission call was extended. He was delighted, yet really having a hard time with the whole retirement thing. He worked very hard to build his practice to what it is today. He had some concerns, Brian has been changing all the medical files to the "new" and updated electronic medical records system, we've bought a few different types of new equipment. Which have pretty much paid for themselves already. He was happy for us yet concerned. He's not use to the "new way" ( technology) of doing things. He still paper trailed EVERYTHING. Brian learned one way, and he learned another. Both fine, just different.
Brian has allowed him to still come into the office for our first year, about 2 to 3 days a month. Dr.Blackburn had been working at the office a lot. He would go in about 5 to 6 days a month, and see around 40-45 patients a day. He also saw the patience at our the Moab office. The Moab office was in our contract with him for the first year. He saw ALL the nursing homes in town as well. He also went up to Provo a few times a week, and worked at a hospital. He was a very busy man! He was busier now, then ever before. Brian manages the office in Price, and Castle Dale.
We feel so bad for his family. He has a wonderful family, 8 or 9 children, ( can't remember) all who went on missions, and are highly educated. Brian and I went and visited the family yesterday. We took them a cooler full of drinks, and some snacks. Someone did this for us when we lost our baby, it was so nice. We didn't really need it but they insisted. They said, You not only had a birth, but a death as well." How thoughtful, Thanks! It was nice to visit with the family! Hard to see them is such a way, they seemed to appreciate us stopping by. His son Travis and his family just recently moved into our ward. We are really happy to have them.
We feel very grateful to Dr.Blackburn, and for the wonderful practice that he has built for us. We feel so bad that he was having such a hard time letting go of it, and I'm really glad that Brian was "SO" patient with everything. I'm feel so blessed that the hand of the Lord played such a big part in our decision to move to Price. EVERYTHING that has happened for the Blackburn's, as well for us has been amazing, the timing has been impeccable. Dr. Blackburn had all of his affairs in order. His mission was a little different then planed.
We've really been enjoying working on the practice. Brian's been working about 4 days a week with an average of 25 patients a day. He does his surgeries on Friday mornings. His work load has now about doubled. No more just 4 days a week. We're a little overwhelmed! Blessed, but overwhelmed!
Brian didn't sleep last night at all, he feels so bad for the family. Just when Dr.Blackburn was about to retire this happens. I'm just glad that Brian has no regrets, and has treated Dr.Blackburn well. We will be forever grateful for him, and are blessed to have known him.
Dr. Dennis Blackburn 2009
