Harry Bimonte, DC, a longtime Palmer College faculty member, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, in New Washington, Ohio.
Born in 1947 in Paterson, N.J., Harry Anthony Bimonte served in the United States Air Force from 1968-1974.
Dr. Bimonte left the college in 1980 to maintain a full-time practice, but returned in 1986 to teach diagnosis. In 1992, Dr. Bimonte became assistant chair of the diagnosis department; three years later, he was named chair of PCC's department of chiropractic protocol. Dr. Bimonte also served Palmer in various administrative capacities.
In 1998, Laboratory Medicine published an article by Dr. Bimonte - believed to be the first paper by a chiropractor to appear in the journal. Several years later, Dr. Bimonte moved his practice to New Washington, Ohio, although to those who knew him, his heart always remained with Palmer.
In 1999, PCC President Guy Riekeman, DC, experienced the tragic loss of his daughter, Alexis. He recalled: "Harry was a great friend of Palmer College, and he personally helped me through difficult times with my daughter's passing. I will always remember him fondly."
A prolific researcher, Dr. Bimonte was the recipient of several awards, including the Thelma Fordyce Mack Faculty Teaching Award from PCC in 1997; and the Lee-Homewood Chiropractic Heritage Award from the Association for the History of Chiropractic in 2002.
Dr. Bimonte is survived by his mother, Nicoletta Bimonte; his wife, Teresa; sister Anna D'Gerolamo; daughters Dr. Heather Bimonte-Nelson and Alexandra Uplinger; a son, Anthony; and grandchildren Lauren and Kristi Bimonte.
Alyce Higgins, DC
Alyce Daisy Lewis Higgins, DC, of Greensboro, N.C., passed away on May 19 at the age of 96.
Born in Meriden, Conn., she obtained her license to practice chiropractic in Vermont, then moved to Gainesville, Fla., in 1946, at the age of 39. She worked for the University of Florida until retiring in 1964.
An avid sportswoman and a champion bowler, Dr. Higgins moved back to Greensboro in 1993. She is survived by daughters Dorothy Kreher, Sylvia Beck, Eunice Meadows, and Gloria Beck; sister Mabel McDonald; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Clarence Benjamin Haschen, DC
On April 29, 2003, Dr. Clarence Benjamin "Ben" Haschen succumbed after a brief illness in Franklin, Fla. He was 88 years of age.
The son of Benjamin M. and Laura Sandrock Haschen, Ben grew up in Oil City, where he attended Oil City High School before graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1947. Six years later, at the age of 38, he married Betty Jane Karns Detrick.
After several years of practice in Brookville, Dr. Haschen retired to Naples, Fla., where he was a member of the East Naples Methodist Church. Dr. Haschen also was a 32nd-degree Mason (Scottish Rite), and a member of the Coudersport Consistory and the Brookville Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
Surviving are two sons, Herbert B. and Thomas L. Haschen, of Easten, Md.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
James Sweet, DC
Wisconsin's James W. Sweet, DC, passed away on March 10. He was an avid reader and occasional contributor to Dynamic Chiropractic who practiced in West Allis, Wisc., for 41 years.
Even after retiring due to an arm injury, Dr. Sweet maintained contact with patients concerned with their health, and considered them a part of his extended family. He was a strong advocate of regular chiropractic adjustments; nutrition; proper breathing techniques; exercise; and practice management.
When not practicing chiropractic, Dr. Sweet was known by friends and family for his proficiency as a pilot. He built and flew a Pitts Special "aerobatic" airplane, and often astounded onlookers with his daring aerial maneuvers. Raised in Illinois "farm country," Dr. Sweet was also enthusiastic about farming.
Among Dr. Sweet's surviving relatives are four current Indiana DCs: brother Harold Sweet ; son Greg Sweet; and nephews Dean and Richard Spaulding. He also is survived by his wife, Jane M. Sweet.
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