Robert Gary Altschuler, M.D. died suddenly on January 12, 2019. Robert (a.k.a. “Dr. Bob”) was the second of four children of Dr. Max and Betty Altschuler. Born on June 25, 1942, Bob grew up on the Main Line of Philadelphia and graduated in 1959 from Harriton High School of Lower Merion. Bob was an athlete and achieved success in football and rowing. He excelled in math and science from an early age, and earned a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University (1963), where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Bob pursued his medical studies and residency at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, where he enjoyed his medical training to such a degree that he abandoned his engineering aspirations.
While at Jefferson, Dr. Bob met the beautiful Michele (Micki) Centrella and they were married in 1968 at the Hotel DuPont. They recently celebrated 50 years of marriage in July 2018. Captain Altschuler served in Vietnam as a flight surgeon with the 101st Airborne Division, 159th Assault Helicopter Battalion, for which he received the Bronze Star and other commendations.
Upon return, Dr. Bob had an illustrious career as a Doctor of Internal Medicine, where he held influential roles in Delaware’s leading institutions, including Instructor in Medicine at Jefferson Medical College, Senior Department of Medicine at Christiana Care Hospital, President of Medical Staff and Chief of Department of Medicine at St. Francis Hospital, Medical Director of Prucare of Delaware, President of New Castle County Medical Society, and team doctor for the football and wrestling programs of Tower Hill School. Dr. Bob’s patients and peers would confirm that his professionalism, skill and bedside manner saved and enhanced many lives over his 40-year career.
Despite his busy practice and the challenges of being “on call,” Micki and Bob successfully raised two delightful children, Alexis and Ashley, and cared for five grandchildren. Dr. Bob was an avid sportsman, excelling in golf, tennis, squash, running and skiing. He could be found often at the Wilmington Country Club, where he was a formidable competitor on the golf course and a favorite in the gym and Clubhouse. In retirement, Dr. Bob thoroughly enjoyed his “Four G’s”: grandchildren, golf, gardening and good wine. He died unexpectedly, yet painlessly, in Exton, PA doing what he loved most: watching his grandson Jake wrestle. In accordance with his wishes, Dr. Bob’s body was donated to scientific study in Delaware.
Dr. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Micki, children Alexis and Ashley, daughter-in-law Shoshana, grandchildren Jake, Lily, Jonah, Hudson and Ariana, brothers Stanley and Richard, sister JoAnn, sisters-in-law Patricia, Henia, Deborah and Melody, and brothers-in-law Edward, Dana and James.
In lieu of flowers, the family’s wish is that memorial donations be made to Saint Francis Foundation at www.stfrancishealthcare.org/Foundation, or mailed to 701 N. Clayton Street, Wilmington, DE 19805.
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