Brent Watson Tatum
 

Brent Watson Tatum, 56, died on March 10, 2013, at his home in Derby. He lived in Derby and served the surrounding community as a doctor for 22 years. He was diagnosed with metastatic sarcoma almost five years ago, continued working as his illness progressed very gradually, and retired reluctantly six months ago. He will miss his patients, his friends, and his family as much as they all will miss him.

Brent was born April 17, 1956, in Washington, D.C., third son of George Liston Tatum and Martha Corinne Seaton Tatum. He grew up in New Canaan, Conn., and started at Bowdoin College in 1974. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease during his first year at Bowdoin, and was treated with vigorous radiation therapy. (This fully cured his Hodgkin's disease, but was likely a risk factor for his sarcoma 33 years later). Brent majored in English at Bowdoin, graduated in 1978, and went on to Yale Medical School, then to Strong Memorial Hospital/University of Rochester, N.Y., for his residency in internal medicine. He began his career as a primary care internist in Newport in July 1991 with doctors Trembly, Harris, and Primeau and in 2000, opened his own office, Border Health Center, in Derby Line. He was joined by his wife, Dr. Miriam Tatum, and by "the world's best staff" Jodi Baker, Diane Beadle, and Marie Bonneau.

While Brent's main identity was that of a physician, he was also devoted to and sustained by his family and friends. As a child he played in the woods surrounding his home and enjoyed summer vacations on the Chesapeake Bay with his parents, grandparents, brothers, and cousins. He met Miriam at Bowdoin, and they married in 1980, just prior to starting their medical studies together. Sons Steven and Owen came along 10 and 12 years later, and the family was fortunate to find their "dream home" on Nelson Hill in Derby -- a retired farm with woods, wildlife, open fields, and wonderful neighbors. Brent enjoyed the quiet of his home, but also loved visits from friends and family. He would inspire many lively discussions and lead jeep rides, model rocket launches, and walks. As his illness advanced the visits moved indoors, usually around the woodstove, but were still spirited and meaningful to all.

Brent's parents and brothers moved to Derby Line and Orleans in recent years. As a result, the whole family was together at the time of Brent's father's death in May 2012, and was with Brent when he died very peacefully at home.

Brent is survived by his mother Corinne Tatum of Derby Line and his aunt Jane Seaton Harrell of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; brother Jesse Tatum of Derby Line, brother and sister-in- law Liston and Donna Tatum of Orleans; wife and sons Miriam, Steven and Owen Tatum of Derby; and niece Shanti Tatum Riordan, her husband Patrick and son Connor, all of Groton, Conn. Also by Miriam's family: Rick Blodgett and the Blodgett-Miller family in Wisconsin, the Mitchell family in Maryland, and the Pedrick family in Georgia. Also by Tatum cousins in Texas, Harrell cousins in Florida and California, and Blodgett, Page, and Hardy cousins from Maine to California.

More has been written here already than Brent would have wished, but he would have wanted to express his great appreciation for his patients, colleagues, and co-workers. He absolutely loved living and working in this community.

Brent can be remembered in any way that one finds meaningful. A public celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 1 p.m. at Derby Elementary School on Elm Street in Derby Line, Vt.