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Kathleen Conway posted a condolence
Monday, April 25, 2016
I am aware that this note is very late; however, I just learned of Ben's death. We were skiing buddies in high school, and I married (for a time) a friend of Ben's from Alpena. I am so very sorry to hear of his death.
My father, who was one of the founding physicians of Burns Clinic, Petoskey, Michigan, had long talks with Ben about medicine. He encouraged him enthusiastically, because he told me, "I just know Ben is gong to be a great doctor." From these tributes, I see Dad was right.
Some of us lived up to our potential, and a few, like Ben, went beyond.
G
Glenn DeHond posted a condolence
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Dear Marty,
My most sincere condolences to you and all of your family. Ben was truly an "outside of the box" kind of guy in so many endeavors! May he rest in eternal peace and may you all be embraced by his memory. God Bless
P
Pam Myles posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Marty,
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know Ben and you.
I truly admired his kindness and insight. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
G
Geoff Whiting posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
I got to know Ben during our internship at Genesee Hospital 1978-79. What I remember best about Ben was what an original thinker he was. He was a great problem solver and I enjoyed the way he thought "outside the box". He was great to work with and had a wry sense of humor.
I am sorry to say we lost touch with each other shortly after his return to NY. I will always have great memories of him as a person. My sincere condolences to his family.
J
Joyce D'Imperio posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
It's hard to find the words to express what's in the heart. Ben and I started working at Thompson Hospital about the same time--he in the ED, myself as a pharmacist. In the 13 years that I worked there,I was witness to so many things that Ben did to advance the whole healthcare system. I was lucky enough to have Ben show me pharmacology in action for various Emergency situations, as well as care for my klutzy shoulder dislocation. He was so good at teaching and sharing his knowledge and skills. Most importantly, his friendship was genuine and his charisma shone through in everything he did.
My heart goes out to Ben's family during this time of loss. We will miss his smile, his jokes, his boyish charm and his innate ability to bring out the best in those of us fortunate enough to be called his friends.
M
Martin Neenan posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Tribute to Ben Lankheet M.D.
Ben Lankheet has made many contributions to the health and welfare of our regions residents and visitors. Ben was a medic during the Vietnam War that returned home to become a physician. Ben worked in the Emergency Room at F.F. Thompson Hospital and later on became Department Head. Ben worked closely with the volunteer ambulance services in Ontario County serving as their Medical Director.
I first met Ben as an Emergency Medical Technician on East Bloomfield-Holcomb Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Corp. Ben was looking for a way to expand the services provided by our Ambulance Corps. There were advancements in Airway Management and treatments for trauma victims that required special training and certification that were not available to Ontario County. Only metropolitan areas across the state were able to provide the training and coordination necessary to get state approval. Ben dared challenge this concept and asked why cant we do that?
Ben rationalized that if there was no single provider available to provide these services to everyone in Ontario County, he could gather EMTs from several of the various ambulance corps across the county. Ben managed to provide a training class and get certified several EMT II technicians scattered across the county that would provide the service on a mutual aid basis.
Ben then pushed the envelope further by approaching the East Bloomfield Lions Club to create a fund to start a fly car Critical Care Emergency Medical Technician service. The local Dentist Doctor Smith donated his old station wagon to be the first fly car. The concept was to have a centrally located vehicle that could carry the technician to anywhere in the county and meet up with the transporting ambulance to provide prehospital critical care. This would bring the emergency room to the patient. The technicians were able to be the emergency room doctors eyes and ears, as well as provide treatments that were only available inside the hospital.
Ben persuaded F.F. Thompson Hospital to sponsor this service and Ontario County Advanced Life Support (OCALS) was born. The first fly car (Medic 60) was the reconditioned station wagon donated by Doc Smith. It took countless hours of many people to make this happen. Ben was the Medical Director. Everett Ferguson was the first Chief Technician. Dick Garrett was the Instructor. Technicians from every volunteer ambulance service in the county took the training and went on to provide Advanced Life Support through OCALS, while still volunteering on their local ambulance service.
I am proud to say that I was one of the technicians and served as the first Chairman of the Board of Directors for OCALS. I want to thank Ben for his dedication and service. I believe that I speak for everyone involved in thanking our families for supporting us in this endeavor. There were many occasions where we would work at our paying jobs all day then spend the rest of the day in training, at meetings, or providing on call care- all without seeing our family.
Ben passed away at his home on January 3, 2015. He will be greatly missed.
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Pat Thorpe - EMT posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
I got to know Ben when he lived in East Bloomfield and was in charge of the Emergency Room at Thompson Hospital. I saw him go on to be Chief of Staff, and then go on to the county level.
Ben was a great teacher, a great mentor and a great friend.
Between his role as a medical director for numerous ambulance corps, his development and advancement of prehospital care through EMS, his implementation of OCALS, and with what he did after EMS rolled patients through the door at Thompson Hospital, there are a lot of people who are alive today because of Ben Lankheet.
I took many fast rides to Strong with Ben back in the days before there was Mercy Flight. There were times when there was a patient in bad shape, he would come from home, jump into the ambulance and take that ride to Strong with us.
What is most disheartening is that Ben was able to save the lives of many but couldn't do anything to save himself. I knew his situation wasn't good when he gave up his beloved Porsche.
So long my friend and thank you.
E
Edward Hanley posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
My sincere condolences to Ben's family. For a number of years, we had a great time at Bob's Lake in Canada. We were a group of "fishermen" dedicated to having a lot of fun. Ben's wonderful sense of humor and also respected his experience and expertise in his profession. The world could sure use more Ben Lankheets. Ed Hanley
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Donna Spink posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Marty and family,
My condolences for your loss. As a past member of OCALS we would never have been able to thank Ben enough for all the time, effort, funds, encouragement and praise that he gave each of us. He was instrumental in the shaping of ALS in Ontario County. I am sure he will be sadly missed by many. It was a pleasure to know him.
K
Kate Ott posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
I worked with Ben in Public Health just prior to his diagnosis with multiple myeloma. I wish it could have been longer. He was an amazing guy who loved life, family, and medicine (particularly public health). He gave me my first tour of the jail and guided me through my first PH presentation (on bird flu, of all things). He was a great teacher and I wish our paths had crossed for longer than they did. I've missed working with him. An amazingly generous guy. I am so sorry for you loss but am glad to have had the opportunity to know Ben, even for the short time I did.
W
Walt Lipski posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
First met Ben in Hinks School and we became fast friends during the Sputnik era...drawing rockets in class and even creating our very own hand sign language so that we could "talk" to one another in class. I am truly sad knowing that he has passed on to his maker...but his memories are always with me. Rest in peace, Ben.
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