In The Company of Friends

About the Book

These tales from Dr. Emmett Murray, the retired family doctor from Lima, Ohio, memorialize many of the friendships that have meant the most to him in life.

Duke found adventure even in the most ordinary of places. These 65 stories (with 125 pictures) explore surprising and quirky discoveries, the drama of big decisions, and the tomfoolery that is ever-present among pals.

Duke picks up his tales back at Lima Central High during the Depression. Soon, after less than a year of college, he finds himself yanked away to the war in Europe. And still worse, as a medic, he is not allowed to protect himself with firearms.

Surviving his tour of duty, Duke still cannot return home before being trained in the disenchanting art of identifying battlefield corpses. He subsequently returns to college, finishes his education and becomes a doctor.

Duke begins his medical practice and his family but is in need of a hobby. Friends reinvigorate his boyhood enthrallment with fishing and he thereafter eagerly heads to Canada many times to enjoy the best fellowship and fresh-water angling in North America.

Much later, Duke finds that retirement brings time for reflection and reunion, but also Hurricane Charley, a nasty fluke storm that pummels the normally-untouched western coast of Florida. Turning 80, Duke tells his family what he has valued most in life.

A companion web site updates you with vivid sights and sounds from the stories. Tales written by Duke since this book appeared will be there, too: www.explain.com/newstories.

As before, Duke invites all his readers to contact him to say hello and reminisce at 239-466-5895 and at dukepollyfm@webtv.net.

About the Author

Dr. Emmett Murray ("Duke" to friends and family) practiced family medicine in Lima, Ohio from 1953 until 1995. He and his wife Polly retired to Fort Myers, Florida and then to the Woodlands area at Shell Point Village.

Duke was born at home in Lima in 1925 to Faye and Emmett Murray and was the youngest of four children (his given name is literally "Junior Emmett Murray"). His father was a construction foreman and carpenter and his mother, a former housekeeper and candy-maker, was full-time at home. Both had been raised on farms and enjoyed Duke's early pursuit of adventure as he helped with chores on his Aunt Lou and Uncle Charlie's farm.

After stints in the Army, college, and medical school, Duke began his professional life, with fishing his favorite diversion.

Dr. and Mrs. Murray were faithful supporters of many Lima cultural and professional organizations. Duke served for a time on his church consistory and was later elected to the Lima City Board of Education, serving as President from 1965-1970. He was also Chief of Staff at Lima Memorial Hospital for a two-year term during the 1980s.

From childhood, Duke has been am inveterate humorist, storyteller and mimic. His quick wit is well-known for breaking tensions during stressful situations. His greatest disappointment is the fragmentation and impersonality of modern doctor and hospital care. He plans to write about "the golden age of medicine" in a third book of stories. His first book was Come Reminisce with Me (Trafford, 2003).