My Uncle Pete might have been considered a renaissance man in his time. His plate never seemed to be empty. He was a doctor, a naval officer and a needlepoint guy! Wait, What?!?!?! Yep. It seems throughout his life, he understood that hobbies were important. This post is really about his woodworking from his own perspective. But as I read the article he wrote, I realized that he was an inspiration to me.

I have always known this on the professional side, as he and his brother Carl used to try to convince me that I should consider government service. I did, and I never forgot who encouraged me to do so. But for many years most of my hobbies were only related to my work. I collected books and ephemera, but primarily those relating to my job. Well that is sort of true. I have collected glass for decades and I know my collections and interest came from items I got from my family. But I never considered making something from things I collect until until about ten years ago when I began making glass flowers and snowmen from vintage glass. Sometimes strangers will marvel at my creations and say, “I could never do that, I am just not artistic.” I used to say that too! My glass has become much more than a hobby, it has helped me to discover an artistic side of myself I never knew existed and for that I am extremely grateful. So here is a story about Uncle Pete that he wrote in Missouri Medicine: Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association. Pete’s wit and personality are readily apparent! The article is verbatim, including quote marks.

Siegel’s Spit and Whittle Club

A healthy “chaw of Brown Mule” is most essential for the expert wood-carver, insists Peter Siegel, of Smithton. As a full-fledged member of South Morgan County (Mo.) Spit and Whittle Club, he has learned to cheek a cud for three hours without spitting, and has “whittled” objects d’art which have earned him blue ribbons, medals and silver cups galore. Thus, his hobby has included the earthy and the ethereal.

Pete’s first carpentry was under the tutelage of his grandfather; his mother died when he was very young. Grandpa’s helper early “learned to tell different kinds of wood by feeling it — across my back-side.”

“My first really big job (in carpentry) was a three-hole Chick Sale, still in active service after twenty years.” However, “plain old round holes were just too uncomfortable. Getting the right diameter was a problem. So, I undertook a scientific study; wherever I went I carried pieces of paper. When I saw an odd size, I’d ask them to sit down, so I could trace it out. When I tried this at Sunday School the project came to a screeching halt — with Grandpa applying the brakes.”

“Over the years I have always carried a little grip with my carving tools and some wood in it. Some of them have been all over the U. S., the Pacific, the Atlantic and Mediterranean. I am a sucker in a hardware store. My favorite chisels are Buck Brothers. They run into a little money, up to five bucks for a small gouge. When I was in Italy last year, I bought a dozen almost identical to Buck chisels, with very good steel, for 90 cents apiece. I now have a complete shop in my basement with power tools. But at the present time I have boiled my armamentarium down to the same old knife and the same three of four chisels. The rest are just to impress people.”

“I have a cup and two medals from the American Physicians Art Association show, held with the AMA. Have several ribbons around from hobby shows.”

“My media is always wood, hard wood (preferably walnut or mahogany) with a story behind it. For instance, an old gentleman patient of mine helped his father log walnut trees, saw them, and build a barn when he was 14 years old. When he retired at 85 he gave me a good supply of that walnut. It had been in the barn-loft drying for seventy years with just the right number of worm holes. For my money it is priceless. Friends, knowing my passion for wood, send me chunks from all over the world.”

“I am firmly convinced that everyone, particularly doctors, should have at least two hobbies. One to pursue when they are young and vigorous, and another which requires little physical effort. The latter may be carried on in later years. The excuse so often heard is “I just don’t have the time,” does not hold water with me. My country practice is as busy and active as the next but I take the time at no expense and often to the advantage of my profession. The most pitiful, heartbreaking sight is to see a physician retire from his practice and then just dry up, too rapidly wither away because he never took the time to interest himself or learn anything but the practice of medicine.”

The January 1953 edition has the following article. It was accessed online at Internet Archive. [Missouri Medicine: Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association 50, 1, 91 (Jan 1953). Accessed online at ​https://archive.org/stream/missourimedicine5011miss/missourimedicine5011miss_djvu.txt​].