- Date Of Birth: June 4, 1936
- Date Of Death: January 3, 2019
- State: Arizona
Dr. LeRoy I. Sykes, husband, father, physician, mentor and friend, passed away on January 3, 2019 at the age of 82 after a long and very fruitful life.
Known as “Doc” to most who knew him, meaning nearly everyone he met, he was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA the only child of Clara Dora Jackier and Harry Alter Sykes on June 4, 1936.
Growing up in Nanticoke, PA, he spent much of his free time helping the family business become a success. During the warmer months he enjoyed spending time with his parents and their extended families at their cottage on Harvey’s Lake. There he began swimming and scuba diving, pastimes that he enjoyed for a lifetime. He graduated from Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School in 1953, where many swimming records still bear his name.
By the time he was five, LeRoy knew he wanted to be a physician and soon learned to view every occasion as preparation for this calling. He attended Villanova University in Philadelphia, PA graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He earned his Master of Science in Physiology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1959. Later that year he enlisted in the US Army, developing his strong leadership skills and went on to join the PA National Guard, where he remained on Physician Reserve until his retirement.
From 1959-61 LeRoy was Director of Pharmacology of William H. Rorer, Inc. He designed and managed the operations of the research laboratories and animal boarding facilities at the company’s Philadelphia location. During his tenure several drugs were developed, tested and introduced to the public, many of which are still in use today. He was especially proud of the strong physiologic and ethical approach Rorer took toward their pharmaceutical products, as well as the enlightened and humane treatment of all his research animals.
While on National Guard Duty, LeRoy was encouraged by Robert Bair, D.O. to follow his dream of becoming a physician. And in pursuit of his dream, LeRoy attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine from 1961-65. He completed his Internship and began his Residency in Internal Medicine at the Osteopathic Hospital in Portland, ME. In 1968 he completed his Residency the Community General Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg, PA.
Forever modest about his prodigious accomplishments and outstanding professional standards, LeRoy always credited his teachers, professors and mentors for his success. While he frequently acknowledged the contributions of his teachers and professors from elementary school, Wyoming Seminary, Villanova and the University of Illinois, LeRoy reserved his highest accolades for the influence of his revered mentors who were and are themselves giants in the medical field.
These treasured physicians include Angus Cathie, D.O., known as the Dean of Anatomists in Philadelphia; physiologist and humanitarian Bradford Spencer, D.O.; the aforementioned radiologist Robert Bair, D.O.; Osteopathic Manipulative Methods master Nicholas Nicholas, D.O.; and urologist and eventual PCOM President, Leonard Finklestein, D.O. While in Maine, LeRoy honed his skills as a physician and internist under the tutelage of Lowell Hardy, D.O., one of the Founders of OHM, as well as Founder and President of the Maine Osteopathic Society. He was also mentored by dear friends Thomas J. Miller, D.O., proctologist and pioneering laparoscopist; surgeon Gene Puffer, D.O.; pathologist and radio announcer Fred Jensen, D.O.; and Sister Resident, Marion Marcucci-Hardy, D.O.
In 1963, while attending PCOM, LeRoy married Helen Arlene Zeigler of Philadelphia. Over the next five years they had four beautiful children, Mark, Michael, Erick and Carla.
In 1968 LeRoy I. Sykes, D.O. entered Private Practice at the Middletown Medical Center outside Harrisburg. He was on the staff of many medical facilities so he could attend his own patients at CGOH, Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, The Rehab Hospital of Mechanicsburg, and The Odd Fellows, Jewish, Villa Teresa and Hummelstown Nursing Homes. LeRoy regarded his patients and friends as members of his extended family and sought to deliver the same high professional and personal care that he gave to his loved ones.
His diagnostic acumen, compassionate and holistic approach to patient care and his therapeutic efficacy quickly led to his reputation as one of the finest physicians in PA. In the early 1970’s LeRoy joined Frank Jackson, M.D. and Rocky Ortenzio, L.P.T. in creating the first Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in the country; this program is now part of the Health South corporation. He was a Senior Medical Examiner for the FAA, evaluating private and commercial pilots as well as Air Traffic Controllers. He held a second-degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate and served as the physician for many of their competitions.
LeRoy’s reputation brought him to the attention of the legal community where he was mentored by his dear friend Lee C. Swartz, Esq. His honest evaluation of medical malpractice cases led to an invitation to become a member of the PA Bar Institute Faculty. After moving to Flagstaff, LeRoy continued to advocate for patients in the medico-legal field and was appointed a Special Master for the Superior Court of Coconino County.
In 1984 LeRoy married Elisa M. Soergel, M.S., (nee Haire) whom he had met while teaching cardiac rehabilitation to nurses from across the nation. Together they made MMC a place of safety, hope and healing for patients from pediatrics through geriatrics, as well as for patients from Europe and the Middle East. LeRoy retired from active practice in 1995 when politics began to dictate reduced patient care and he refused to lower his standards or the quality of medical care he provided.
LeRoy loved poetry and music from an early age. He was the drummer for his own band in college and started playing piano while in practice. He was a founding member of The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz and served on the Board of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. When he and Elisa were not enjoying live musical productions, they were listening to music and walking their beloved Samoyeds.
LeRoy’s life truly embodied his faith in a loving God and his belief that every person, patient and friend should be treated and healed with dignity and respect. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Rose Croix, but LeRoy was most at home with his Judaism, striving to fulfill God’s expectation of him. As a Toastmaster, he always had the perfect story for the situation or a joke to lighten everyone’s mood. He gave everything and asked for very little in return. Le Roy led an exemplary life, an example for all of us to follow. He departed this world peacefully and full of happiness knowing that the secret to happiness is helping others.
LeRoy is survived by his wife of 34 years, Elisa, and three of his children, Mark (Karen) of Phoenix, Erick (Caria Lynn) of Tampa and Carla Beth (Mark) of Philadelphia. His son Michael passed away two years ago from a rare cancer.
