ILION - Arthur H. Applegate, M.D., a long-time resident of Ilion, New York, died November 21, 2009, in Granville, Ohio. He was born January 2, 1919, in Deansboro, N.Y., the son of Robert D. and Julia Alnetta Calhoun Applegate. Dr. Applegate was a graduate of Ilion High School class of 1936, and earned his bachelor’s degree in French from Hamilton College, where he was a member of the Class of 1941. Shortly after graduation from college, and following a short stint at Harvard Business School, he enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the 69th Infantry Div. Because of his fluency in French and German, he was chosen to serve with the Central Intelligence Corps in Europe, and was awarded two bronze stars. He was honorably discharged at the end of World War II. Following the war and using the GI Bill, he re-enrolled at Hamilton College as a pre-med student. He gained admittance to the University of Rochester School of Medicine where he earned his medical degree in 1951. Dr. Applegate served an internship at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., and then returned to Rochester, N.Y., where he completed his residency at Strong Memorial Hospital. While enrolled in medical school, he married Betty Jane Weeden, in Frankfort, New York, on June 25, 1949. They enjoyed a loving relationship of 55 years, until her death in 2004. In 1954, Dr. Applegate returned to the Mohawk Valley where he established a medical practice with his brother-in-law, G. Roger Weeden Jr., M.D., on S. Otsego St. in Mohawk. He continued his medical practice at the London Bridge Medical Office in Ilion, until his retirement on February 1, 1984. He was on the staff of Mohawk Valley General Hospital. Dr. Applegate thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of practicing medicine, the many people he worked with over the years, and his patients. In addition to his practice, Dr. Applegate was involved in his community and in a number of organizations. He was a member of the Ilion School Board, a member and past president of the Central N.Y. Academy of Medicine, a member and vestryman of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, a member and past president of the Ilion Conversation Club, and a member of the Ilion Water Board. Dr. Applegate was a man of varied interests. He was an accomplished organist and pianist, and loved to sing. He had a passion for other places and cultures and he and his wife, Betty, traveled extensively. He loved to read and enjoyed gardening, basket weaving and did beautiful needlepoint. Despite the fact that Dr. Applegate never learned to swim, he loved the fact that his backyard swimming pool was the favorite summer destination for his grandchildren. He was devoted to his family. Dr. Applegate is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, the Rev. Stephen and Terry Applegate of Granville, Ohio, and Robert and Kathleen Applegate of West Winfield; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Brady Boyd of Ilion; ten grandchildren, Elizabeth Applegate, Peter Glenn-Applegate, Katie and Benjamin Applegate, William, Thomas, and Maggie Applegate, and Andrew, Philip, and Matthew Boyd; and several nieces and nephews. Two sisters, Mandana Chesebro and Kathryn Stockbridge, predeceased him. He will be remembered as extremely intelligent, exceedingly generous, and the true leader of our family. A Memorial Service for Dr. Applegate will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church on Second St. in Ilion, with the Rev. Stephen H. Applegate officiating. Interment will be in the Kinne Cemetery, Town of Litchfield. Friends are asked to consider memorials to the Ilion Free Public Library or a charity of one’s choice. Local arrangements are entrusted to Dr. Applegate’s cousin, Don Applegate, Funeral Director.