Obituary: Robert P. Fornshell, MD, 96, Of Ridgefield

Information Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

RIDGEFIELD, CT —Robert P. Fornshell, MD, 96, of Ridgefield, longtime resident of Danbury, died peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. He was the loving husband of Barbara (Salinger) Fornshell.

Dr. Fornshell was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 3, 1925; a son of the late Audrie May Pearce and Robert James Fornshell. Dr. Fornshell was a graduate of Western Reserve Academy, Harvard College (Class of ’47) and Harvard University’s School of Medicine (Class of ’52). He also served as a medic with the 94th Infantry Division during World War II, winning a Bronze Star for heroism in 1945.

After his graduation from medical school, Dr. Fornshell interned at Boston’s Brigham and Women's Hospital, followed by residency in orthopedics at Massachusetts General Hospital. He entered private practice in Danbury in 1958, quickly becoming involved in the development and growth of Danbury Hospital, serving on the Hospital’s Board of Directors, and chairing for many years the Orthopedic Staff, as well as numerous other committees. He retired from surgery in the late 1980s, but remained involved in medicine and with Danbury Hospital for many years.

Dr. Fornshell was an avid sportsman, pursuing skiing, sailing on Candlewood Lake, tennis and golf, while traveling widely with his family – Cape Cod, the Caribbean and a beloved horse ranch in Wyoming being favorite destinations. For many years, Dr. Fornshell also donated his time by serving as a consultant, teacher and surgeon in several countries, helping to train local physicians.

Dr. Fornshell is survived by his wife of 68 years, Barbara, their three sons: William Fornshell and his wife, Mary Jo; Robert Fornshell and his wife, Antoinette; and James Fornshell. Dr. Fornshell is also survived by his five grandchildren: Meghan, Matthew, Mary Kate, Emily, and Robert Pearce II, as well as a sister, Georgia Schultz, and several nieces and nephews. His sister, Audrie Jean Latowsky, predeceased him.

Throughout his long life, Dr. Fornshell was always grateful for the large measure of good luck he encountered, and because of that good fortune, never stopped trying to contribute to his community and to those institutions for which he cared.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will take place privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Fornshell’s memory may be made to Western Reserve Academy or to Danbury Hospital Nuvance Health.