Robert F. Sylvester, Jr. M.D.

Robert F. Sylvester Jr., M.D. died at age ninety on Saturday, September 26 in Newark, Ohio. Robert was born November 19, 1918 and raised in Decatur, Illinois, surviving tuberculosis in his teens.

Robert attended Millikin University where he met his wife of 65 years,Phyllis. He received his medical training at Washington University in St. Louis. After med school, Robert was part of the Sidney Farber research team at Harvard that invented chemotherapy, while seeking a cure for childhood leukemia. Robert served as Chief Resident at Children's Hospital in Columbus. Ultimately Robert chose teaching and private practice over academic medicine. He was full professor in clinical medicine at Ohio State University for many years and practiced pediatrics in Columbus, Newark, and Granville, Ohio. A community health activist, Robert was a member of Physicians for Social Responsibility and worked throughout his life to establish and maintain community mental health resources in Licking County. Toward the end of his career he was the staff pediatrician for youth in recovery at Shepherd Hill in Newark.

After retirement, Robert and Phyllis lived for many years on Sanibel Island in Florida where Robert enjoyed many discussion and study groups, boating, and walking the beach with his dog. In addition to his life in medicine, Robert was an extraordinary musician, a gifted jazz saxophonist. He began playing professionally in high school, and later found bands to play in on the side, wherever he lived, throughout his life. Robert and Phyllis were long time members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where Robert served as senior warden.

Robert is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis; their four children, John, Jane, Amy (Ken) and Philip (Joan); three grandchildren, Nate, Rachel, and Eoin; sister-in law, Margaret; nephews and niece, Lloyd, Scott, and Marla; and his four-legged best friend, Cooper.

Robert will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. A memorial service will be held, Wednesday, September 30th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 107 E. Broadway, Granville, Ohio.

Remembrances in Dr. Sylvester's memory may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio or to the progressive charity of your choice.