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Motion Is The Lotion That Keeps Dr. Don Pates In Fine Shape Article and photo by Dianna Troyer Ask Dr. Don Pates, how he’s doing and be prepared for a rapid-fire answer that blends the tongue-tied phraseology of Mary Poppins, the magical flamboyance of Mr. Magorium, and the humor and high energy level of Dr. Patch
Adams. “I’m supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, absotively, positively, finger-lickin’ super good, no aches, no pain or stoop or squat or squint,” says the family practice physician who works in his clinic behind the Minidoka Memorial Hospital in Rupert. “How about you?” What flamboyant event is he planning to celebrate his 86th birthday on Feb. 24? Maybe take a spin on his gold-colored 2006 Honda Gold Wing touring motorcycle? Or cruise down his favorite ski run at Pomerelle Ski Area, where he has been an instructor for several years? “I’ll come to work like I always do,” says Dr. Pates, who works four mornings a week at his clinic and also serves as hospice medical advisor for Minidoka Home Health. “I have two part-
ners: one young enough to be a grandson and the other the age of a son, if I had one. In 2009, the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians honored Dr. Pates, recognizing him as the oldest practicing family doctor in the state. “Working here gives me a good reason to get up in the morning, and besides, I really love what I do,” says the tall, slender, blue-eyed doctor with a white goatee, as he relaxes in his office with photos of horses and Native American memorabilia decorating his walls. “With family practice, you never know what type of case will come through the door, so there’s a lot of variety and challenge.” He attributes his longevity to keeping mentally and physically active, having an optimistic attitude, trusting in his spiritual faith, and inheriting his mother’s genetics. “She lived to almost 102,” says Dr. Pates. “I was lucky she passed on her gene pool to me. You have to keep your brain and your muscles working, too. You use it, or lose it.” Those attitudes helped him during the past decades, working as combat medic in Europe during World War II, (Continued on page 37)