Dr. Philip Roger Aronson

 

Dr. Philip R. Aronson, 100, of Bermuda Run, NC passed on June 30th, 2023.

Dr. Aronson was born Nov 26, 1922 in Norwich, NY to Donald S. and Marcia. He was predeceased by his wife Christine, his second wife Jeanne Wesley, his brother Sydney and by a son, Peter.

He graduated from Norwich High School in 1939, the University of Michigan in 1945 and SUNY Downstate School of Medicine in 1948. Phil and his brother Syd were faithful Michigan alumni and enjoyed watching athletic rivalry events against Ohio State, particularly on the gridiron. On his 99th birthday and again on his hundredth birthday, he had the pleasure of watching Michigan's football team defeat Ohio State, and on both occasions was surrounded by children and grandchildren.

During his years of education he also served as a decorated veteran of the US Naval Air Corps in both World War II and the Korean conflict.

After receiving his MD, he worked as an intern in Cleveland and then as a resident in Internal Medicine at Boston City Hospital, including time spent at the Thorndike Heart Station. After this he had a practice in Norwich, during which time he was also on the faculty of SUNY Upstate School of Medicine in Syracuse. His patients in Norwich loved him and brought him gifts from their homes and farms. If they couldn't afford to pay, they weren't charged. Despite his benevolence, he was able to support his four children through college and even medical school.

A very active man, he was an avid and competitive tennis and squash player, he shot skeet and bred English Setter hunting dogs and kept a few quarter horses. Of the horses, his pride and joy was Red King Twist, who became a national champion of the American Quarter Horse Association as a two-year-old. He had a wonderful cadre of golf buddies, all of whom he had to say goodbye to at one time or another. During the long winters, bowling was also a major interest; starting as a "pin setter", he eventually won two ABC-sanctioned tournaments. He also took his family skiing frequently.

After many years of practice in Norwich, he moved to Winston-Salem to become a faculty member at Wake Forest's Bowman Gray School of Medicine. There he served as the director of the Physician's Assistant training program, re-writing the cardiology syllabus and also writing a book titled "Bedside Cardiology". He received several teaching awards, and also served as director of the hypertension clinic in the former Reynolds Health Center.

Survivors include son Dr. Stuart Aronson, wife Vaune and family of Fort Worth, TX, Dr. Michael Aronson, wife Jane and family of Blacksburg, VA, Thomas Aronson, wife Michelle and family of Oak Ridge, NC, and daughter Sarah Bishop, husband Tom and family of Roanoke, VA. This includes 9 grandchildren, Riley, Peter, Sophie, Zoe, Ben, and Jackson Aronson as well as Philip, Grace and Kate Bishop.

Surviving step-children are Robert Wesley Jr. and family of Winston-Salem, NC, Stephen Wesley of Louisville, KY, Ann Ramsey and family of Richmond, VA, and Barbara Bagby and family of Richmond, VA. This includes step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

Phil Aronson was a brilliant and caring physician,  a devoted husband and father, a friendly, outgoing man with a ready smile, and a great friend to those who had the privilege to know him. He made the world a better place every day. Memories of him will comfort us and carry us forward.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel in Advance, NC on Wednesday, July 5th at 2 pm.  The service will be followed with a reception at Bermuda Village where we will raise a glass together in celebration of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:

Wounded Warriors, 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256