Dr. Arthur Frederick Oplinger, M.D., 78, of Exeter Township, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2016 in his residence. He was the husband of Marilyn (Mill) Oplinger. Born in Reading on February 17, 1938, he was a son of the late George E. and Eva G. (Smethers) Oplinger. Art went to school at 15th and Perkiomen Ave. Elementary School, Southern Junior High School and graduated in 1955 from Reading High School. Thanks to a scholarship from Carpenter Steel Co., he continued toward his dream of being a doctor and graduated from Albright College in 1959. He earned his medical doctor degree from Temple University in 1963. Art was an intern at Reading Hospital from 1963 to June 1964. After serving in the United States Navy at Norfolk and Groton, CT, he returned with his family to Reading and began his life’s work in medicine as a family practitioner for 33 years.
Throughout his life and especially after his retirement, Art could be found pursuing his many hobbies. He loved toiling away in his workshop for hours, creating and refurbishing wood projects with his many tools. He could also be found at local ponds fishing for hours or outside in his flower and vegetable gardens, planting and tending to the beautiful beds. When he wasn't tending his own garden, he could be found at Longwood Gardens, a family favorite, taking in the many different exhibits throughout the year - whether the tulips, the lily pads, or the Christmas lights. He took his camera everywhere, capturing beautiful photos the family will treasure, and would spend many hours experimenting on his computer with photography programs and Facebook. He will be greatly missed by all who shared in his hobbies and memories.
In addition to his wife, Art is survived by his daughters, Lisa Ann Oplinger, Wendy Lynn (Oplinger) wife of Mark G. Manowczak, Dr. Michele S. Oplinger and his son Scott Bradley Oplinger; grandchildren, Chelsea Manowczak, Angela Manowczak, Hannah Oplinger, Emma Oplinger, Olivia Oplinger and Isabella Oplinger; two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Strong and Betty Ann Bludworth of Austin, TX and their families. He was pre-deceased by his brother George. In Reading, Art is a treasured part of a very large "family" of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and friends and many dogs and cats.
Visitation with family and friends will be held on Monday, December 26, 2016 from 12:00-1:00 pm with services beginning at 1:00 pm in the Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. 2100 Perkiomen Avenue Reading, PA 19606. Internment is private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Greater Berks Food Bank, 117 Morgan Drive, Reading, PA 19608 or the Olivets Boys and Girls Club, 1161 Pershing Blvd., Reading, Pennsylvania 19611. For online condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com

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