"Dr. Tom", who was recognized as Family Physician of the Year in 1972 by the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, died Friday, Jan. 17.
In 1953, he began caring for the people of northeast Georgia, opening for the practice of family medicine in Helen that year. Two years later, he was an organizing partner of Habersham Medical Group in Clarkesville with Dr. L.G. Hicks Jr., J. Lee Walker, and Charles M. Henry.
While on staff at Habersham County Hospital (later Habersham County Medical Center), he delivered more than 4,000 babies throughout his 38 years on staff.
In more than two dozen families, he delivered at least one parent and then later delivered their children.
Also wide-ranging in its scope, Lumsden taught first aid to members of Clarkesville Volunteer Fire Department and to funeral home ambulance drivers for years before the inauguration of Habersham Emergency Medical Service in 1974.
He retired from his practice in 1993, but continued to serve the people of the region through part-time work at Lee Arrendale State Prison.
A noted community leader, he has served as president of the Habersham County Medical Society, president of the Ninth District Medical Society, chairman of the Medical Association of Georgia's Rural Health Committee, and on the American Medical Association's Council on Rural Health.
In addition to being active in his church, First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville, since 1955, he was a former mayor of Helen, former councilman for Clarkesville, and former Boy Scout leader.
While medicine was his profession and his family and the people of the region were his heart, Lumsden loved the history of northeast Georgia, and he was an authority on both history and archeology.
In 1989, he published, Nacoochee Valley: Its Times and Its Places. Scores of his local artifacts comprise displays at the Sautee-Nacoochee Valley History Museum at the Sautee Nacoochee Arts and Community Center.
Lumsden led an active lifestyle. Canoeing, hiking, gardening and taking historical trips were a few of his interests.
One of his recent projects was lending his voice to "Distant Voices: The Story of the Nacoochee Valley Indian Mound", a documentary on the landmark he worked to preserve.
The obituary for Dr. Lumsden can be found on the Obituaries page of www.AccessNorthGa.com.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/1/270064