Marvin L. 'Mike' Huyck, M.D., surrounded by his loving family, passed away peacefully at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007.

Born on May 25, 1923, to Winifred Spoonhower Huyck and Frank L. Huyck, Mike was predeceased by brother, Frank William Huyck, sisters, Pauline M. Dicks and Alice M. Davis and son, Dale Peter Huyck.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Dutcher Huyck; daughter, Judy Ann Meeks, Walton; sons, Frank M. Huyck, Mayville and Christopher J. Huyck, Saratoga Springs; brother, John L. Huyck, Miami Beach, Fla.; sister, Frances P. Finch, Oneonta; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and more on the way.

Dr. Huyck was a graduate of Cornell University and Cornell Medical College. He obtained his Internal Medicine internship and residency at Rochester General Hospital. After serving in the United States Army as a medical officer, he returned to his hometown to raise his family and serve his community in the practice of general medicine.

While he practiced primary care at the Walton Medical Group, including delivering babies and managing a myriad of medical problems, he had a particular interest in cardiology and developed a well respected practice in this field. He was instrumental in the creation of Delaware Valley Hospital, the coronary care and intensive care units and the development of the Cardiology Clinic. He also was the medical adviser for the Delaware County Visiting Nurses and was the Town of Walton Public Health Officer. He was the school doctor for Walton Central School for many years. In May 1990, he was honored as the Walton Chamber of commerce Citizen of the Year.

Mike Huyck leaves behind a rich legacy of devotion and service to family, friends, patients, community, church and educational, environmental and artistic concerns. To his family, he will be remembered as an absolutely wonderful husband, father and grandfather to his family, always ready with the best advice and support. He was tough and firm when necessary, but always motivated by the deepest love.

He was the very best of teachers and role models and no matter how busy he was always present. To his friends, he rarely lacked for lighthearted wit or words and acts of congeniality. To his many patients and his community, he was a pillar of strength and reassurance, confidently and steadfastly ushering in and monitoring the many lives of his friends and neighbors. He took great pride in being the "doc" for so many, but he also wanted his family to express to all his patients and his community how humbled and honored he was to be granted the immense privilege to have been invited into the lives of so many people. To all his patients and neighbors, in life and in death, he expresses a heartfelt thank you for this privilege and your confidence.

Dr. Huyck's life was framed by his reverence for the natural world around him and as an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, environmental concerns were always of paramount importance. As a lifelong resident of Walton, he loved Delaware County and its natural beauty. He always said and taught that we were but temporary guardians of our world, and that we could not, during our finite and temporary time in this life, rightly claim possession of our surroundings. This humble perspective, his firm belief in right and wrong and his wonderful and self deprecating sense of humor always sustained him through life's trials and tribulations.

Mike Huyck had a particular love of art, color, form, and music. He was an accomplished amateur water colorist and a member of the Marco Island Art League.

A fellowship remembrance gathering, funeral and reception for family, friends and community will be held at the First United ,Methodist Church, 101 North St., Walton, on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007 at 1 p.m. Private family burial will follow in the Walton Cemetery.

Contributions in the memory of Marvin L. Huyck, M.D., may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Walton, or to the American Heart Association.