Philip Thorngate

Philip Thorngate
American, 1932-2003

Born to missionary parents on January 17, 1932 near Shanghai, Phil and his family fled to the United States to escape the Japanese invasion, but later returned to spend some of his school years at the American School in Shanghai.  Following in his family’s tradition, he decided to become a physician and graduated from the Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.  He came to the Monterey Peninsula in 1964 and for 30 years practiced medicine with his father and brothers, George 1V, David and Stephen. Somehow he found time to study art with Keith Lindberg and to pursue his passion for painting.

Phil eloquently expressed the connection between art and medicine, “In a way, medicine is art and art can be medicine as it has a profound effect on the human condition.  Without art, we would probably have a lot more illness and depression…”

Actively involved in the Carmel Art Association, Phil served  on its Board of Directors, was president in 1994, and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Sign Up to Receive Our Monthly What’s New Email