David Harris Blumin
RANCHO MIRAGE - “Raise high the roof beams carpenter’s,” on Aug. 3, 2024 this world lost a great one.
David Harris Blumin, M.D., 84, a true renaissance man, died peacefully in Boothbay.
David was born March 8, 1940 in Staten Island, New York to Arthur and Lillian Blumin. David grew up on Staten Island. He graduated from Cornell University, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York.
Upon graduation, David joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to help with the elimination of river blindness in Togo, Africa. During that time he learned how to speak French and how to fly a plane, in addition to touching and changing lives as a physician. After his two years of service he began his career as a doctor and completed his surgical residency in San Francisco. David was a general surgeon who worked in Southern California, Maine and Connecticut for over 50 years until he retired when he turned 80.
David was also an experienced seaman, builder, chef, and art aficionado. David and his wife Karen, of over 40 years, worked on and refinished a boat named, The Pilgrim, which won the Rhode Island Wooden Boat show, Best of Show 1981. David and Karen sailed to Boothbay Harbor, Maine and found their happy place. They purchased a log cabin in East Boothbay, and made it a log castle. They lived in East Boothbay for 40 years. He would travel to Monhegan Island every Thursday to perform minor surgeries for islanders in need. He also did house calls for residents in the area. David loved entertaining and was well known for his Thanksgiving Day feasts and parties. He and Karen would host several local people from all walks of life for many years. Helping people throughout his life was very important to David. He was a gifted teacher and healer of many people throughout his beautiful life.
David was a giant of a man who’s impact on our lives will live on. As the song goes, “Captain Ahab has nothing on me.” Sail on David Blumin.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Blumin; daughters, Karrie Henderson and her husband Scott, Dana Blumin; son-in-law, Clarence Bainy d’Avricover; and grandchildren, Saskia and Adrian Bainy d’Avricover.