Sheldon Robert Minkin

1936 - 2011

Sheldon Robert Minkin was born in Kings County, New York July 27, 1936 and died in Kings County, California on Jan. 3, 2011.

He was the oldest of four children of Abraham and Evelyn Minkin. His father was a retail and hospital pharmacist. Sheldon described his mother as the smartest woman who he ever knew.

As an 8th grader he participated in the borough wide American History competition where he was awarded the bronze medal. He had a lifelong fascination with American history, civics and politics.
He graduated from the prestigious Stuyvesant High School which is annually listed among the top 10 high schools in the U.S. He served as class president for 6 semesters.

His undergraduate college education was at Long Island University where he graduated with a degree in pharmacy. He was editor in chief of the college newspaper and was the recipient of the Kaufman Award for collegiate achievement as a journalist.

He worked as a pharmacist in New York and Chicago.

He received his medical degree from Midwestern University (Chicago) and he did a rotating internship at the renowned Grandview Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.

In 1964 he established a medical practice in New Jersey that evolved into the Fords Family Practice Medical Group, where he served as the managing partner for 13 years.

In 1977 he relocated to San Francisco and worked in a solo family practice - he was an attending physician at the tertiary care Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center (later California Pacific Medical Center) where he held leadership positions on several committees. He was elected as president of the Northern California Osteopathic Medical Association in 1979 and he received the physician of the year award in 1980.

In 1982 he was appointed as the Kings County Health Director/county health officer. He served in this position for 20 years until his initial retirement. This was a period of physical plant expansion and program enhancement with the department running 42-44 different programs at one time. Modern business and operational techniques were begun. Automation, computerization and new communication systems were established.

During this time Dr. Minkin held the following positions:

After a brief initial retirement he became a brief to intermediate term administrative and public health consultant. He was CMO (chief medical officer) at SATF the largest substance abuse and treatment correctional facility in the U.S.

Thereafter, he served as the county health officer in Nevada and El Dorado counties and chief deputy county health officer in San Luis Obispo County.

After his last retirement in 2006 he became the California Department of Health Services ombudsman (nursing home patient advocate) in Kings County.

For the second time he served as president of the Kings County Medical Society in 2008.

He served as the foreman of the 2008-2009 Kings County Grand Jury. In 2009 he was appointed to a 3 year term as Kings County's Commissioner on the Tri-county Medical Managed CARE Authority. Additionally he was chairman of the Board of Kings Community Development Corporation.

He is survived by his brother, Wilfred Minkin, MD of Armonk, NY, Harvey Minkin, D.O. of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Evelyn and his sister, Phyllis.

His loving family includes his wife, Axie Minkin of Hanford, the late Nancy Hatfield Albert and her husband Rick Albert of Hanford, Dennis and Becky Miller of Watsonville, Jeffrey and Helen Minkin of Hanford and Orlando, Fla., Reed and Shelly Minkin of Covington, LA, Jill and David Hershorin of Netcong, N.J.

He was grandfather to Mia and Page Minkin, Sahdia Minkin, Olivia and Gabe Minkin, Solomon Hershorin, Josh Gilfry, Kaitlin Hatfield, Lillian Hershorin and Cameron Miller of Watsonville.

A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 7 at the Christ Church in Lemoore.

There will be a private internment of ashes at the Corcoran District Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Sheldon R. Minkin at Christ Church, 740 N. 19th Ave., Lemoore, CA 93245.