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Robert Goldwyn Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Goldwyn
Theresa (Woodlock) Rushton
February 16, 2025
Dear Linda and Laura - I came across the obituary of your father and wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. Although it was a number of years ago, I'm sure you still feel the pain of his loss. You may not remember me, but I spent a summer (1972) with your family as an "au pair" - a month in the city and a month in Cape Cod. I was just 18 at the time, heading off to university. I believe you were around 7 and 10. I have fond memories of my time with your family and just wanted to reach out. All the best Theresa (Woodlock) Rushton
Donna Scotti
February 3, 2023
Dear Mrs. Goldwyn and Family,
I went to Dr. Goldwyn when I was 19 years old, 50 years ago! He did magnificent work on my nose (:
Although I realized he would be long retired, I looked him up to seek a referral to have a bit of 'freshening'. I found the very sad news that he passed away in 2010. In or around 2002, in my 40's, I went to see Dr. Goldwyn. He told me to go home and come back in fifteen years. Not only was he a genius in his work, he was a genius in morality and ethics. Just imagine, 50 years after a 'nose job', I still think about the brilliant surgeon who not only had a subtle and beautiful impact on my physical appearance, but left an indelible impression on me regarding the meaning of kindness and morality . With love to you and your family. Donna Scotti Photo - Dr. Goldwyn's Nose 1972
Brissot Frederick
March 18, 2021
Je pense souvent à vous ...
Vous restez dans mon cur.
Sam Hamra
March 18, 2020
Plastic surgery misses him
More now than ever!
Brissot Frederick
March 18, 2020
Hello Dad ...
Je pense très souvent à vous ...vous me manquez.
Bises
Brissot frederick
March 19, 2019
Les années passent ... qu'elles passent si vite ...
Je ne passe pas une semaine sans une pensée pour toi ... Tu restes un exemple de gentillesse et sagesse .
Merci a toi .. Tu me manque
Fred
Lisa Stepanian
July 11, 2010
Dear Family of Dr. Goldwyn: What a gifted surgeon and lovely man. I was a patient of his in 1997. When I asked him nervously about scars and my fear of them being unattractive..he softly said: " young lady, when a man loves you he loves you scars and all"...I was sad to hear of his passing...his work made my life a lot happier.
Åsa Edsander-Nord
June 9, 2010
Dear Tanya,
I was saddened by the news of Dr Goldwyns decease. He was a man with great qualities.
As a young medical student from the Karolinska Institute, on a scholarship to Harvard Medical School in ´91, I had the great honor to be in Dr Goldwyn’s service at the BI and get insight into the field of plastic surgery. With his utterly warm and friendly way with patients, staff and students he did not only contribute to my decision on becoming a plastic surgeon but has always been an inspiration and a true role model for how to act as a doctor and human being.
Throughout all these years I have read his editorials with a smile on my face. Me and my family have had the pleasure to meet with you, not only in Boston and at meetings around the world, but also in Stockholm.
I send my deepest condolences to you and wish you "Välkommen till Stockholm"
Hans Isak Atterhem
June 4, 2010
Hans Isak Atterhem Sweden
April 22, 2010
Dear Tanya,
We are so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful husband and kind friend he was. Your memories and the joy you brought to his life should be a comfort to you. May his name be for a blessing.
With love,
Rita and Irv Kopin
Ben Childers
April 22, 2010
Tanya,
I was going through my mail late tonight at my office, when I noticed tht article of Dr. Goldwyns passing. I was deeply saddened. Dr. Goldwyn was like a father to me. I met him in the summer of 1983 when I came to Boston for the Harvard Health professions program. I was able to be with him the whole summer. He "sewed' the seeds of plastic surgery. I came from a very small town in Eastern Kentucky. I was able to attend the program as I was from a disadvantaged area of the country. Dr. Goldwyn litterally took me under his wing while I was in Boston. I was so fortunate to be able to do my Residency in General Surgery at Beth Israel as well as my hand fellowship. I got to spend 5 years with him. He was always there to help me with concerns. He assisted my with interviews, letters of recommendations, and he was the best teacher I ever had!! I am a plastic surgeon today because of Bob Goldwyn. Had it not been for him and his influence on my life I would not be what I am today. He enriched my life!
I was fortunate that my first daughter was born during my hand fellowship. I have a picture of Dr. Goldwyn, Dr Wolfort, Dr. Upton and Dr Slavin all looking at my daughter in her crib at the hospital. It is a photo that I will always cherish. The world is a better place because of Dr. Goldwyn. His influence of the field of plastic surgery and the hundreds of plastic surgeons that he has trained will last forever!!!
Please accept my condolences on your loss. He will never be forgotten.
Respectfully
Ben J. Childers MD (Loma Linda, California)
April 21, 2010
Mrs. Goldwyn and family, please accept our condolences on your loss. My father, the late J. Kenneth Chong, M.D. was a contemporary of Dr. Goldwyn's. As a second generation Plastic Surgeon, who was raised on Dr. Goldwyn's classic tome, I have a debt of gratitude for his sage advice. Thank you for having shared your magnificent patriarch. Lavinia Chong, M.D. (Newport Beach, CA.)
April 20, 2010
Dear Tanya and all of the Doctor Robert Goldwyn family,
Edie and I were deeply saddened to learn just the other day here in Florida that Bob passed away. We had the good fortune of living next to his mother and father on Terrace Drive and usually saw Bob when he came to visit with his parents and we also were fortunate to know Bob before he went on to become a world famous shinning light in the medical porfession.Doctor Goldwyn was blessed with such wonderful skills as a surgeon and doctor and also as a kind and wonderful person always willing to give of himself and help others who needed his doctor skills and people skills ability. I might just add that we were also fortunate not only to have been patients but also to have access to him for advice which was very much appreciated.He was a great man and his memory will live on forever. Again wishing all of you the best in going forward.
Love Edie and Conrad Fisher
Ruth and Nahum Vishniavsky
April 12, 2010
Dear Tanya,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of beloved husband. We wish you and the rest of the family our sincere condolences. May your memories bring you comfort.
Ruth and Humi Vishnaivsky
Laura Goodgame
April 10, 2010
My father was by far the kindest and most gentle man I have ever known. He cared about everybody and was always eager to help anyone with a problem. Growing up, Dad was playful, patient, gentle and always understanding. My father cherished his family and our vacations in Brewster. That's where he wanted to return to and that's where he is. I miss him to the point of achiness but feel so blessed to have had him as a dad. He will always be remembered.
Laura Goodgame, Needham, MA
Brissot Frédérick
April 7, 2010
DAD tu as été un exemple pour moi, tu le resteras toujours, et je suis fier d'avoir croisé ton chemin. Frédérick BRISSOT
Amy Miller
April 7, 2010
Dear Tanya and family,
Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. I worked across the hall from Dr. Goldwyn for many years and he was a lovely, warm, and funny man. We all missed him when he retired from direct care.
Amy Miller
April 6, 2010
Dear Tatyana and Bob's family:
As a Harvard College and Medical School Classmate of Bob's, and a devoted friend down through the years, I am saddened to hear of Bob's passing. Both my wife, Philippa, and I are stricken over his loss; it was hard when Roberta left us, and his passing leaves us really grief stricken. We will remember him as the wonderful friend that he was for more than fifty years, as well as for the Rock that he became in the shifting waters of medical practice. We will remember him best for our last joyous meetng at the Fiftieth HMS reunion! Our love goes out to you. John and Philippa Grover.
john holohan
April 6, 2010
Dear Mrs Goldwyn and family,
Please accept my deepest condolences.
I worked for Dr. Goldwyn for several decades providing a small editorial service for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal. Other medical journals wouldn't have bothered with the service I provided, but to Dr. Goldwyn, it was part of producing a quality product. As the obituary stated, he treated everyone he encountered with respect and dignity. Even though I only provided a small freelance service, he invited my to the staff holiday party every year. I was honored to work for him in any capacity. He truly was a remarkable man.
Surajit Bhattacharya
April 6, 2010
OBITUARY
Every day the sun rises and after energizing the green earth, almost unnoticed, and without any fuss, sets in the far horizon. Across seven seas, again unnoticed and silently, yet another sun has set, after doing what he did best, stimulate, uplift and energize the world of Plastic Surgery. Robert M. Goldwyn, the grand old man of Plastic Surgery, slipped into the pages of history on March 23, 2010 in Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Robert Goldwyn was a human being par excellence, an accomplished surgeon, and outstanding teacher and the iconic editor of the leading journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for over a quarter of a century. His bold and brutally frank editorials were a clarion call to the lesser mortals in the field, to attempt a course correction, whenever he felt they were erring or being led astray. His unforgettable masterpiece - 'The Unfavourable Results in Plastic Surgery' is a collector's special with each chapter identifying complications and problems associated with a particular procedure and then suggesting steps and precautions to avoid them.A link to all his published papers is useful in fathoming the length and breadth of the canvas on which he painted all his life.
Dr. Goldwyn served as President of the Massachusetts Society of Plastic Surgeons, the New England Society of Plastic Surgery, the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, which made him an Honorary Fellow, and the Harvard Medical Alumni Association. In 1972 he founded the National Archives of Plastic Surgery, housed at Countway Medical Library, and served as Chairman of the Archives Committee of the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation.
He was a founding member of Physicians for Social Responsibility and had written articles on world peace, opposition to chemical and biological warfare, and medical ethics.
He had been a visiting professor to more than 70 institutions, universities, and hospitals in his own country and abroad and was an honorary member of more than a dozen national and international societies of plastic surgery. His other awards included the Dieffenbach Medal, the Honorary Kazanjian Lectureship, Clinician of the Year of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, and the Special Achievement Award and the Presidential Citation of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
Robert Goldwyn is survived by his loving wife Tatyana (Tanya), his children and grandchildren. We pray to God to give them strength in this hour of grief. The Association of Plastic Surgeons of India will always remain grateful to him for his guidance and care, which he showered on our members whenever they interacted with him. To me personally, he set the gold standard for editing a Plastic Surgery journal, a standard, we all strive to achieve all throughout our life.
Surajit Bhattacharya
[email protected]
Editor, Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
Mukund Thatte
April 6, 2010
Dear Mrs Goldwyn and family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the sad demise of Dr Robert Goldwyn. I have very fond memories of my brief encounters with him in Boston and Mumbai India. He was my hero as an Editor of PRS and also as a caring human being. On behalf of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India I deeply regret this loss.
Mukund Thatte
President
APSI
Donna Copman
April 5, 2010
Dear Linda, Laura, and Mrs. Goldwyn,
Back in the early 1990's, I worked for Dr. Goldwyn when he was the editor of the Journal of Plastic Sugery. I loved working for him and with him; he was a great boss and always had a kind word to say, a smile, and was so clever, interesting - not to mention a brilliant surgeon. He reminded me of Peter Falk's character Colombo - pretending to be Mr. Everyman but really was SO bright and SO special. Strangely, I remember that I told Dr. Goldwyn that he reminded me of Falk - who is also Jewish and ALSO they shared the same birthday in September, 16 I believe it was. I think of him often and I extend to all of you my sincere sympathy. He was a wonderful man. Love, Donna L. Copman
Aesthetic Surgery Tutorials , Mumbai , India
Atul Shah
April 5, 2010
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India deeply regrets this loss. Dr. Goldwyn spent nearly a week in Mumbai, India some two years back with many members of our association during Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Tutorials and charmed us with his surgical treasure.
On Behalf of the Association - Secretary Dr. Atul Shah
Michelle loConte
March 29, 2010
Dear Tanya and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of Dr. Goldwyn and so much gratitude to him for how well he treated Anita, my mom, and my family.
Sincerely,
Michelle LoConte
Sandra Ciccone
March 29, 2010
With sincerest sympathy. My Mom and Sister were fortunate to have worked for/with Dr Goldwyn for years. They shared wonderful stories w/ our family. He was a gentle, generous and greatly respected man. I'm happy that I had the pleasure of seeing him on occasional visits to the office. His memory lives on forever. (Daughter of Mary and Sister of Anita).
Tanya and Bob, our best memory
March 28, 2010
Dear Tanya and extended family,
Your husband (and father and grandfather) was the dearest friend I ever had. As you know, Tanya, we were classmates and close friends through Worcester Academy and Harvard; and, although we had too few occasions on which we saw one another as the years passed, our friendship exemplified the kind of relationship that didn't need constant "hand-holding" to remain as deep and treasured as it always was.
Bob was the person who made my young life tolerable when, during our youth, I was searching frantically for my self-esteem and he was arguably the most highly respected among our friends and acquaintances. His respect for me and his ability to see more in me than I was able to myself was clearly a factor in my life and I will never forget it.
We, along with the rest of the world, have lost a treasure that will be missed. But I am ever so grateful for his life and all that it has meant to me.
Bless you all. I offer my deepest condolences and sympathy for your loss.
Ellis Traub
March 27, 2010
Dear Tanya, Laura and Linda,
We are truly sorry to hear of your loss and sad that we were unable to attend the service.
Dr. Goldwyn was my "boss" for 18 years. I feel blessed for having known him and will greatly miss him. He had such a wonderful sense of humor and was such a compassionate, generous, and loving man. I can still hear him whistling in the hallway --arriving for his daily office schedule. I will miss his many phone calls and his wonderful stories. No matter how busy he was he always found time for others. He will be missed by his many friends and loved ones but thankfully he left us with such great memories.
Our deepest sympathy.
Anita & Bill LoConte
Stephanie Alleyne
March 27, 2010
Dear Laura and Linda,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and that I can't be with you. Your father (and family) was part of the fabric of my childhood. I have the fondest and most vivid memories of him and all those afternoons spent in your kitchen and can hear his voice and feel the warmth and love radiating from his as if it were yesterday. Your dad was truly a special man and I truly share your sadness.
Love, Stephanie (Goldberg) Alleyne
March 26, 2010
All of us have suffered a great loss. Bob was a very special person,
and he shall be missed by his many friends and grateful patients.
We are sending our love to Tanya, Marcia and Edward Nalebuff
Steven Horen
March 26, 2010
Dear Linda, Eric, Madeline and Nathan,
I'm so sorry I could not be with you today. I'm sending you healing thoughts and hope you are doing well. I know you had such a special bond with Bob, and Linda, I'm so glad that you were able to overcome both distance, and logistical challenges to be with your Father so often recently, and to be there in time to be with him when he passed. Steve Horen
Neal Koss
March 25, 2010
Bob was a true gentleman of our specialty. It was always a pleasure to work with him on the Journal. He will be missed.
March 25, 2010
Dear Tanya...I feel privileged to have met with you and Bob over the years and will cherish his advocacy and memory always. John Downing, West Chester, PA.
Debbie (Mulcahy) Jeffries
March 25, 2010
Dr. Goldwyn was one of the most special people I have ever met. He first became my doctor 45 years ago when I was a little 2 year old girl.It is because of not only his wonderful surgical skills,but also his compassion for people , that I am the confident person I am today.I recently had a conversation with him that I will never forget. Even in his time of illness, he took the time to let me know that he was thinking of me. To you,his family, thank you for sharing this special man. He will be missed by many.
Ben Sweeney
March 25, 2010
Dear Tanya: I am so sad for you yet so happy for Bob. I think of him everyday, the result is always a boyish smile.... love always ben
March 24, 2010
Tanya,
Rob and I are thinking of you and sending our love.
Amy Ship and Rob Cohen, Brookline, MA
March 24, 2010
The Doctor operated on my husband years ago and was a gifted doctor, a gifted person and a kind one.So sorry for your loss.He will always be remember4d by us and countless others. Joseph & Esther Ross, Nashua, NH
Dr and Mrs Richard Peinert
March 24, 2010
Dear Tanya.
A great man, a great loss. Without a doubt, the kindest man I have ever known. In the year I spent with Bob, I learned a bit of surgery, and a whole lot about how to care, how to be empathetic, how to be kind and how to deal with adversity. Sumner Slavin and I entered practice at the same time and Bob was so helpful. I wish I could take credit for this line, but it was Sumner's We were talking about how helpful Bob had been to us and Sumner said "Bob Goldwyn is the Gandhi of plastic surgery." That pretty much sums him up. You can't be better than that.
Bob and my wife shared the same birthdate and for about 10 years after I finished training, Bob would always call and wish her happy birthday. She loved and cherished those calls.
Finally, Tanya, thank you so much for giving him a new life after Roberta's death. He once told Dina and me how happy he was with you and so thankful you came along when you did.
I an privileged to have had him as a friend and mentor and will cherish his memory always.
Dick Peinert
Sam Hamra
March 24, 2010
Bob Goldwyn gave plastic surgery a gift of intellectualism and integrity unmatched and widely appreciated. His editorials created both smiles and self reflection from all of us. What a pleasure to have known this man. We will miss him.
Sam Hamra
Jane and Frank
March 24, 2010
Along paths unknown his life did lead; and God each day his soul did feed. In sheltering arms through valleys deep; toward towering hills a promise to keep. That none would harm or lead him astray; forward he traveled a blessing each day. Walk his path though it may be long; as in his steps now travel on. A remembrance then to hold so true; of Robert Goldwyn, for days yet new!
March 24, 2010
Condolences from a former neighbor
David Landay
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