ROBERT FINK

FINK--Dr. Robert, a pillar of the Memphis psychiatric community, passed away on February 17, 2015 after a one-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Son of the late Dr. Benjamin and Rebecca Fink, Dr. Robert Fink was a graduate of Freeport High School, St. Lawrence University, and the University of Tennessee Medical School and psychiatric residency. Dr. Fink honed his respected leadership skills as president of his college fraternity and then the St. Lawrence inter-fraternity council. Colleagues, aware of his therapeutic and managerial skills, appointed him psychiatric director at each of the major Memphis hospitals, Tri-County Mental Health Center, and New Day Partial Hospitalization Program. He also served as consultant to the Army Alcoholism Program. Not only his 40 year psychiatric experience, but also his extraordinary personality showered his patients with rapt listening, empathetic kindness, and quiet sense of humor, which elevated the psychiatric ill to a sense of well-being. Dr. Fink lent his enormous skills equally to the most down-trodden, as well as the movers and shakers of Memphis society. His joys were rooting for Memphis basketball, fishing from his home on Narragansett Bay, photography, loving his family and patients with help of his loyal assistant of 40 years, Charlotte. Dr. Fink leaves behind his sister, Dr. Janet Kowal (Dr. Robert), brothers Dr. Gerry Fink (Dr. Rosalie), and Dr. Alan Fink (Phyllis), who feel cheated that his passing robs them of spending more time together. Dr. Fink also leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Gerry, four broken-hearted daughters Peninah Salid (Rabbi Jay), Deena Tagger (Nissim), Anna Kaminetsky (Shimon), and Sara Wachtel (Jonathan), as well as 28 grandchildren whom he made feel important every day. Donations in Dr. Fink's memory should be made to Hadassah Hospital (pancreatic research Professor Gideon Zamir).