BLUFFTON, S.C. – Carl Alexander Brinkman, MD F.A.C.S of Bluffton, S.C., formerly of Portland, Maine, passed away on July 26, 2014.
He was born in Resht, Iran, on June 17, 1932, the son of medical missionaries, the late Dr. Harry and Adrianna (Van Lopik) Brinkman. Carl was also predeceased by his first wife Diane-Clare (Butler) Brinkman, and his twin brother Dr. Paul Brinkman.
He graduated from Farmington High School, from Bowdoin College, cum laude, and received his medical degree from Yale University. He served his internship, with surgical and neurosurgery residency at the University of Michigan. He was a neurosurgeon at Maine Medical Center, chief of neurosurgery (1980-1993), founder of the Southern Maine Neurosurgical Associates and Maine Magnetic Imaging, Portland, Maine, Diplomat of American Board of Neurosurgeons, a member of the Coller Society, and author of numerous neurosurgical articles.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, his two daughters Sharon-Lee (Shari) Brinkman-Young and her husband D. Kelley Young, of Portland and Valerie Clare Brinkman of Austin, Texas ; two grandchildren, Alexandra Brinkman-Young and Eli Daniel Rocha, his sister-in-law Joan Brinkman, his brother-in-law B. Sturges Butler; two nieces Jan Brinkman and Nancy Steele, and her husband Dr. Eric Steele, and two nephews Mike Brinkman and his wife Sharon and Chris Brinkman and his wife Debbie.
Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland.
A funeral service will be held on the funeral home on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 at 10 a.m. followed by a reception held in Carl’s honor at the funeral home.
A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery, Main St. Farmington, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carl’s memory to a charity of your choice.
Remember the Brinkman family well. Paul delivered all my children. Carl & Paul were terrific athletes and community leaders. RIP and best wishes to the family.
More than just Farmington’s loss
Deepest sympathy to the Brinkman family, a mainstay of Farmington life.
My prayers and condolences to the Brinman family for the loss of carl he was a great doctor and will be missed by many
We have lost a dear friend. Late in life one rarely makes a true friend but in Carl we did. He was a true gentleman. We met Carl, in Sun City Bluffton S. C., He rode around in his golf cart with Mandy his first dog
while there then lately with Bendi, a constant companion. On a warm sunny afternoon this past April,
we visited with Carl and Jackie. We all sat by their pool and talked just enjoying the day and conversation.
Carl, always the gracious host, made a cool refreshing drink made w/ mashed strawberries, orange juice &
Sierra Mist. He was so glad we enjoyed it and had never tasted one before this. The small simple pleasures… that will be a lasting memory for us.
We send our deepest sympathy to all of Carls’ family.
Carl was an excellent doctor and made an outstanding basketball player at both Farmington and Bowdoin. Dr. Harry Brinkman did very well with his sons.