Physician Aldrich dies at 70 Doctor founded college of osteopathic medicine

BANGOR – Dr. Harrison F. Aldrich, founder of a college of osteopathic medicine in Biddeford and a well-known physician in central Maine, died Friday in Bangor.

Aldrich, 70, was the founder of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, and he maintained a practice in Unity until his death. He died at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor after becoming ill at a University of Maine hockey game.

Aldrich was an institution in Unity. After moving to Waterville to help staff the fledgling Osteopathic Hospital – now Inland Hospital – in 1964, he took over Dr. Frank Hanscomb’s practice in Unity.

Aldrich then helped found Unity College, which named him its “Man of the Year” in 1969. Friends and co-workers remember Aldrich as one of the few remaining doctors who still made house calls.

He also was founder and past president of the Maine Osteopathic General Practitioners Association.

“He had a large group of patients that he still made house calls to,” said Dr. Albert Amalfitano of Waterville. “He would do anything for his patients, and that’s the way he presented himself.”

Amalfitano described Aldrich as an energetic man. He loved sports – he was named athlete of the year at the University of Massachusetts in 1954 – and was an avid pilot.

“He was always on the run,” Amalfitano said. “I knew nurses who said, ‘I just can’t keep up with this guy.’ He was always in a hurry. And at meetings, he made himself heard.”

Born in Worcester, Mass., Aldrich was an only child. After high school, he continued his education at the University of Massachusetts, Springfield College, Tufts University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.