Dr. Kenneth E. Cosgrove







    Dr. Kenneth E. Cosgrove, 89, a longstanding resident of Hendersonville, passed away peacefully November 13, 2009 surrounded by family. Dr. Cosgrove was married for 56 years to his lifelong partner and friend Eleanor Cosgrove who passed away in November of 2002.

    Dr. Cosgrove grew up in East Orange, NJ and completed his undergraduate studies at Middlebury College where he played football and graduated in 1942. He obtained his medical degree from New York University in 1946, married his wife Eleanor, and then joined the United States Navy where he served as a physician until 1949 on the U.S.S. Pasadena. He received his training in internal medicine at Jersey City Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital in New York City following which he served a fellowship in cardiology at Dartmouth Medical School.

    Dr. Cosgrove and his wife Eleanor moved to Hendersonville in 1953. He practiced medicine in Hendersonville for the next 50 years. In 1963, he founded Henderson County Internists. He was on staff at Pardee hospital where he was instrumental in establishing one of the first intensive care units in Western North Carolina. Through the years he practiced medicine in the old fashioned tradition even visiting patients in their home on a ""house call"" if needed. Often, he would take one of his five sons along and tend to the ailing patient in the back bedroom while his son waited in the living room.

    In April, 2003 the new front entrance lobby of Pardee Hospital was dedicated in his name ""for his many generous contributions to our community"" and the wall there bares his portrait. Not only was Dr. Cosgrove active in shaping the local medical landscape, but also was extremely active in the North Carolina Medical Society and eventually served as president in 1985-86. Dr. Cosgrove helped found Medical Mutual Insurance Agency, the largest medical malpractice insurance company in North Carolina, and served on its board of directors. He helped direct the foundation of Carolina Village, a non-profit continuing care retirement community in Hendersonville; he has served on the Carolina Village board of directors since 1974. He lived the last four years of his life at Carolina Village where he received exceptional care in his final years. He helped organize Hospice of Henderson County (now Four Seasons) and even served as a physician supervisor later in his career. He was a director of the Blue Ridge Medical Center and has been an active member of the Hendersonville Rotary Club since 1953, serving as president in 1960.

    Dr. Cosgrove was an avid golfer and member of the Hendersonville Country Club. He was an instrument rated pilot and in 1987 he and his wife flew their single engine Cessna 182 from Hendersonville to Europe by way of northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland and Bergen, Norway, and finally to Inverness, Scotland, followed by a return trip one month later.

    Dr. Cosgrove was the consummate civil servant. He embraced Hendersonville, and Hendersonville embraced him back. He was a wonderful father who loved his family. He was a thoughtful, patient, and kind man who will be tremendously missed by family, patients, friends, and community.

    He is survived by five sons: Kenneth C. Cosgrove and his wife Sarilla, of Greenville, S.C., Timithy R. Cosgrove and his wife, Stephanie, Barry L. Cosgrove and his wife Betsy, Jeffrey H. Cosgrove and his wife, Dena, all of Hendersonville and Christopher C. Cosgrove and his wife Billie, of Wilmington, N.C. and sixteen grandchildren whom he adored.

    A memorial service will take place at 2:00 pm on Saturday Nov. 21 at First United Methodist Church at Church St & 6th Avenue West with Rev. Dan Martin and Rev. Dr. Earle R. Haire officiating. Following the service the family will receive friends and guests in the Christian Life Center at the church from 3-4:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons (Hospice) 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

    The family expresses much gratitude for the assistance of Four Seasons Hospice for the care he received.

    Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or to PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

Doctor Navy