His "life's work" was the multitude of people that he helped and prolonged life for. He shouldn't have forgotten that.
Oh, I think he understood that, but he was sad about the demise of the hospital, as were the numerous appreciative townspeople who attended his funeral service. Although he retired from active practice around 1990, he continued in a limited role at a nursing home for 25 more years. He was well-loved in the town and greatly honored by family, friends, and former patients.