Elgin P. Kitner

Elgin P. Kintner, age 90, died Sunday morning May 25, 2008 at his home at Shannondale Retirement Community after a brief illness. He leaves his wife of 66 years, Ethel Pritchett Kintner, daughter Beccie King of Friendsville TN, son Richard Kintner ofMaryville TN, daughter Johanna Bryant of Knoxville TN, and Daughter Ella Brown of Van Wert OH. He has four grand children: Kevin King of Durham NC, Brad King of Franklin TN, Micah Brown of Cincinnati OH and Caleb Brown of Van Wert OH. He has four great grand children. Elgin was born in N. Manchester, Indiana, graduated from Manchester College, N. Manchester IN, and from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1943. He served in the US Public Health Service in Detroit MI, finished a residency in Pathology at the V A Hospital, Louisville KY and South Bend Medical Foundation So. Bend IN. In 1951 he moved to Maryville TN and served as director of laboratory at Blount Memorial Hospital from 1951 to 1987. He stepped down as director and practiced another five years, retiring at age 70. Among his many distinguished professional awards he established the first accredited hospital laboratory in the state of TN at Blount Memorial Hospital and was awarded the Silver Billings Medal, the second highest award given by the AMA for private research. In June 2007 Blount Memorial Hospital named their new laboratory the Elgin P. Kintner Center for Laboratory Medicine. He published thirty-eight scientific journal articles and the book, Blount County Remembered. Elgin was a legendary hiker and an accomplished photographer. He held the longest existing membership in the Maryville Kiwanis Club and served a term as President. Through his recommendation, the Kiwanis Club donated the first stringed instruments to the Maryville City School system to start the first orchestra in the city schools. For over 50 years he was a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder. He established the Maryville chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally III and was the first registered male Girl Scout leader in the nation. For over 60 years he researched genealogy and published a book combining genealogical lines, photos and historical narratives. As a husband he encouraged his wife to pursue her personal goals and interests. As a father he was available to listen to any problem in a nonjudgmental way and help with the resolution. He was generous with his time, talents and all his resources. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday at the family cemetery at the French Broad Church of the Brethren, Dandridge TN. A memorial service will be held at New Providence Presbyterian Church, Wednesday, May 28 at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends following the service. Elgin requested that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be sent to Shannondale Retirement Center of Maryville or to the Blount County Library.