Dr. David Belman

Dr. David Belman, 80, of West Hartford, went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 30, 2014. He was the husband of the late Faye (Philipp) Belman. Born in Birmingham, England on Dec. 10, 1933, he was the son of the late Arthur and Annie "Nance" (Green) Belman. He grew up in Sutton Coldfield, England where he attended Bishop Vesey's Grammar School. After graduation from Bishop Vesey's, he went on to serve as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Regiment and then as an Assistant Superintendent of Police in the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya in the 1950's. He immigrated to the United States to continue his education graduating from Wheaton College in Illinois (1962) where he met and married his wife Faye. He went on to graduate from McGill University Medical School in Quebec (1966) and earn Board Certification in Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Belman was in private practice as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand surgery in New Britain for many years. After retiring from private practice he continued to work as the Director of the Orthopedic Clinic at New Britain General Hospital, more recently known as The Hospital of Central CT, New Britain, and held the position of Emeritus Staff in the Dept. of Surgery. He also worked as a Clinical Associate and an Assistant Clinical Professor in Orthopedic Surgery at UCONN Medical School. He was a member of the Connecticut State Medical Society, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery and the Christian Medical and Dental Society. Dr. Belman received the William A. Petit, Jr., MD Physician Service Award in 2012 in recognition of his lifelong dedication and personal commitment to faith-based community service and medical missions work worldwide. Often accompanied by his wife Faye, he participated in medical missions over decades in Honduras, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Mexico, and non-medical missions helping to build churches in Alaska and Jamaica and rebuild homes and churches destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Mississippi. His many trips to Honduras were recognized by a Certificate of Recognition for Humanitarian Services bestowed in person by the President of Honduras. Dr. Belman was a member of Bethany Covenant Church where he taught adult Sunday School, served as a Stephen Ministry Leader and was a member of many boards and ministry teams. He also attended and served at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He and Faye led a Community Bible Study group together in Newington for many years. They were also generous and personally involved supporters of many local, national and international Christian ministries, educational institutions and other charitable organizations. Dr. Belman was active in Scouting, earning his Wood Badge and serving as the Chaplain for Boy Scout Troop 41. He tutored students at Lincoln Elementary School in New Britain and at Adelbrook, formerly the Children's Home of Cromwell. He also narrated books on tape for the blind through Connecticut Volunteer Services for the Blind and Handicapped for over thirty years. David will be remembered for his enduring loyalty to the nation of his birth and his appreciation for the country where he chose to make his home; his love of history, literature and poetry and his delightful ability to sprinkle it into conversation; his passion for learning and passing his knowledge, wit and wisdom on to others; his zeal for working in the garden; his practice of medicine as both an art and a science; his belief that every person is important, endowed with dignity and worthy of respect because all have a vital role to play in God's larger story; his abiding devotion and tender care for his wife Faye; and his vibrant faith and generous spirit that inspired and enabled him to love well. He was well loved in return and will be deeply missed. Surviving are a son, Roger Belman and his wife Sabrina presently of Katy, TX; a daughter, Chris Raimo and her husband Bill of Erie, CO; a brother Michael Belman of England; a sister, Susan May and her husband Danny of England; and four grandchildren, Avery Belman, Clare Belman, Heather Raimo and Nathan Raimo. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 4:30 PM at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St., Berlin, CT. A reception will follow at the church. Memorial donations may be made in David's name to a charitable organization of your choice.