Herbert J. Wilk

Obituary for Herbert J. Wilk, M.D.

Herbert J. Wilk, M.D., 82, formerly of Binghamton, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2012 in Schenectady, NY.   Herb was an only child, born in Brooklyn, NY to Pearl and Emmanuel Wilk on February 6, 1930.  He spent his younger years living in New York City, and later moved to Johnson, NY, graduating from Middletown High School.  He obtained a degree in Chemistry from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and went on to study Medicine at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.  He returned to the States to do his internship at Albany Medical College in Albany, NY.  

It was during his residency at Coney Island Hospital in New York City, that he met the love of his life, supervisory nurse on the surgical floor, Connie Elwood.  Although an unlikely couple at first (he loud, confident, and Jewish, and she quiet, conservative and Catholic), they eloped after a brief courtship, and were together for the next 50 years.  

Herb started his surgical practice in Ellenville, NY and later moved to Binghamton, NY, spending the next 25 years performing general surgery, with Connie by his side running his practice as his Office Manager.  In addition to his surgical practice, Herb also specialized in trauma, and logged many hours saving lives in the Emergency Rooms of Binghamton General and Lourdes Hospitals.  He also served as Broome County Coroner for 25 years.  Herb is a Past President of the Broome County Medical Society and served on the New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct.  Because his age did not qualify him for military service, he chose on two separate occasions to volunteer his surgical expertise through the American Medical Association’s Volunteer Physicians for Vietnam Program.  On each of these tours, he trained Vietnamese physicians to care for their sick and wounded.  

He was also a member of the Greek Peak Medical Ski patrol for many years which enabled him to ski on a regular basis with his four daughters whom he taught to ski.  Herb concluded his professional career by working for the State of New York as a Workers' Compensation Physician.  

Herb was known by some for his professional accomplishments as a surgeon, but what truly distinguished him was his zest for life, living and experiencing new things.   His passion for adventure took him all over the world experiencing things that many people only dream of: big game hunting in Asia, scuba diving in the Red Sea, bear hunting in Alaska, white water rafting (with young daughters in tow) down the Colorado River, just to name a few.  He loved his friends, and spending time together playing euchre, poker and bridge, and trying out new restaurants with his wife and family.  In his younger years, he skiied, played tennis, hunted, and fished on a regular basis, and was a regular at the Binghamton Gun Club where he loved to shoot skeet and trap.  Herb was fluent in French, German and Hebrew, loving classical music, the opera, and the fine arts, but a great day for Herb was one spent hunting or fishing with his buddies, followed by a delicious meal and a good card game.  

For the past 20 years, Herb and Connie enjoyed winters in Deerfield Beach Florida, where Herb was a favorite with the "pool ladies" at Century Village retirement community.   Their summers were spent on Genegantslet Lake, NY, where they enjoyed boating, fishing, spending time with good friends and many great card games.  In between Florida and the lake, they lived in Niskayuna, NY where they enjoyed being closely intertwined in the lives of their eldest daughter Karen and her wonderful family.  Herb's life was filled with all things "big".  He was a big man, with a big heart, gave big hugs, and loved and lived large.  The world will surely be a much quieter place without his incredible sense of humor, his love for people, and his "big" personality that so many found irresistible.

Herb was happiest and most proud when he was spending time with his family, with whom he looked forward to regular reunions and travel adventures together.  He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Connie, four adoring daughters and four sons whom he had to wait for marriages to acquire.  Surviving Herb are his children Karen (Jared) Wells of Niskayuna, NY; Leslie (Matthew) Braksick of Sewickley, PA; Michele (Donald) Haugh of Shakopee, MN; and Nicole (David) Warhoftig of Frisco, TX.  His spirit also lives on in his beloved grandchildren: Elizabeth, Emerson and Jamison Wells; Austin and Madeleine Braksick; Harrison, Audrey and William Haugh; and Andrew, Zachary, and Elise Warhoftig.  He is also survived by lifelong extended family member Lillian Fields.  He was predeceased by his parents Pearl and Emmanuel Wilk, mother-in-law Ann Elwood, and his granddaughter, Sydney Leigh Wilk Braksick.

A celebration of Herb’s life will take place at 11:30am on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at Temple Concord, 9 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY.  The family will greet visitors beginning at 10:00am at the Temple.  A private burial will take place at Sewickley Cemetery in Sewickley, PA on Friday morning, where Herb’s request to be laid to rest alongside his granddaughter, will be honored.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Herb’s memory may be made to: Sydney Leigh Wilk Braksick Heart Fund at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (www.givetochildrens.org) or to Temple Concord, Binghamton, NY.

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