Never resting, always striving
Even as a youngster, Dr. Weinapple wouldn’t sit back and let life pass him by. He credits his upbringing as a reason he’s led such an inspiring and active life.

“My father was very artistic – a painter and a violinist – he was extremely dedicated to his art and music,” he said, identifying the painting over his desk as one of his father’s. “My mother was one of the most energetic people I’ve ever known in my life. She was a giver, very charitable,” he added with emotion in his voice.

After graduating high school at the age of 15, he went on to attend NYU and then medical school. In between all that, he played professional baseball in Italy for a few years over the summer months.

“We weren’t very good,” he said with a laugh. “Though we did get into the championship game – it was their equivalent of our World Series.”

During his time in Italy, Dr. Weinapple biked regularly, and upon returning to the United States, he also began running. In the 1970s, he began participating in marathons, and in 1982, he added triathlons to his list of pursuits.

He said the most memorable triathlon over the years was the “Liberty to Liberty” Triathlon in 1987. Why the most memorable? Because he said, he will never forget swimming around the Statue of Liberty.

The event involved a 10k run in Philadelphia, a 100-mile bike ride from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia to Liberty State Park in New Jersey and a 2-mile swim in the New York Harbor.

“I am a left-sided breather,” he said with a smile, “and all the big cruise liner ships were on my left. They created large wakes, and it made it hard for me to get in my breaths!”

An avid skier, the doctor also worked as a tour guide with a group called the Ski Birds of America in the Adirondack Mountains, New York. It was around that time, 1957 to be exact, that he was approached by a friend to head up the ski department in a soon-to-be-opened sporting goods store, located in lower Manhattan on 42nd Street. “So I opened the ski department at Herman’s World of Sporting Goods Store in New York City,” he said with just a hint of pride.

Of all his memorable skiing trips, most of them to what he calls “the best mountain in the world” – Snowbird in Utah, he recalls one particular incident about ten years ago.

“I was mountaineering in Utah, I became exhausted and I fell,” said the intrepid doctor. “Injured, I had to ski about a mile and then hitchhike back to the resort. When I finally made it to the nearest emergency room, I was in shock. And it turned out, I had multiple broken ribs!”

Professionally and passionately involved
Aside from all of his professional endeavors and credentials, the main reason he hasn’t yet fully retired is a project about which he speaks with great passion and fervor.

“They are currently building a state-of-the-art facility for the NuView Academy in Piscataway, NJ, on River Road,” said the doctor, who still works three days a week. “I’m not giving up because of this new school, which should open this summer.”

The NuView Academy provides free public education, in the least restrictive environment, for students exhibiting severe symptoms or diagnosis of Depression, ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Thought Disorder, or Anxiety Disorder, according to their website.

Bill Walsh, vice principal at NuView, which currently operates in North Brunswick, NJ, said that Dr. Weinapple is tireless in his efforts to help kids who don’t have access to psychiatric healthcare.

“As our medical director, Dr. Weinapple is a big part of the program,” said Mr. Walsh. “He sees to it that there is no extra burden on the students, and he not only monitors medications, but he goes beyond to see that tests and studies are conducted. He helps make sure we get the most comprehensive care for the kids.”

His dedication, professionalism and drive also resonate with staff members at Princeton Insurance. In close to 25 years as an insured, Dr. Weinapple has experienced only one malpractice claim, and it was ultimately closed without payment. Dr. Weinapple said that Princeton Insurance handled the claim “beautifully” and that he “couldn’t have asked for more.”

Perseverance, professionally and personally, is a core value for Dr. Martin Weinapple. And Princeton Insurance is proud to have been able to partner with him for close to 25 years.

Dr. Weinapple is represented by the Joseph A. Britton Agency, Inc. of Mountainside, NJ.

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