Remembering Dr. Bridenbaugh and Tom Ford

Last week’s Herald carried the obituary of Dr. Robert P. Bridenbaugh. The Jan. 4 edition of the Herald provided a look at the 31-year career of Penn State horticulture educator Tom Ford.

The news of those deaths is the kind of news that when I hear it, makes me stop what I’m doing, close my eyes and lower my head for a minute.

I would very much liked to have had a word with those two men before they passed. But I did not take the initiative to do so and now the opportunity is lost forever. This makes me feel a deep sadness.

Dr. Bridenbaugh was my doctor for many years, back when my family lived in Curryville. I remember my mother taking me to Dr. Bridenbaugh’s combination house and medical office on Oakdale Road. If my memory is correct, to enter his office, you went around the back of the house to enter the medical office.

I remember Dr. Bridenbaugh as reserved but highly professional and possessing a great smile. My visits to him would start with my mother giving a brief description of what was ailing me and then Dr. Bridenbaugh would say something like, “Ok, well, let’s take a look” and out would come the stethoscope. There would be a quick but thorough examination and the diagnosis would be pronounced with confidence.

Sometimes the remedy was a purple liquid that I believe Dr. Bridenbaugh had created himself in med school. It was called “Ventolade” and it was dispensed in those clear glass bottles that are the size and shape of a whiskey flask.

Ventolade had a delicious grape flavor and I never minded taking it. What exactly it treated I was never sure of, but mom trusted it and it was her go-to medicine for my childhood colds.

I had a great respect and affection for Dr. Bridenbaugh and I truly wish I’d had the chance to say thank you and goodbye.

Tom Ford

From 2005-08, I worked for the Penn State Extension as an educator in economic and community development. I was based in Cambria County and covered four counties, including Bedford and Blair, where Tom also was active.

Tom served as a mentor to me. He’d been an extension educator for about as long as I’d been alive and he seemed to know everything about horticulture. I had very little to do with horticulture, but Tom seemed also to know practically everyone in the four counties I was responsible for. He introduced me to many people, often giving me accolades that I did not deserve.

The Penn State Extension encouraged educators to take courses and advance through the various levels of the educator profession, kind of like advancing in rank in the military. I remember studying for one such promotion attempt and I asked Tom when he would be applying for his next promotion. Tom laughed and told me that he’d already completed all the courses and earned all the promotions that were available. He’d maxed out.

Tom was an exceptionally kind man. I don’t remember him ever having a harsh word to say about anyone. He always found the good side even of people who were difficult.

He also loved sharing his knowledge. To ask Tom a question about horticulture was to get a condensed lesson in the topic from an expert. And not that he was boring. Tom had also had a great sense of humor and loved to mix humorous stories with his practical advice.

Dang it, Tom. I wanted to say goodbye. And thank you. You were a pleasant bright spot in my career and losing you after just 63 years on the planet was just too soon to go.