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Victor Reyniak Obituary

REYNIAK--Victor. Good friend of many years, caring physician, gifted surgeon, outstanding teacher. We will miss him. Our sympathy goes to his wife Sybille, sons Andrew and Stefan and their families. Alec and Mila Sedlis

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Published by New York Times on Jul. 14, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Victor Reyniak

35 Entries

Terry Schickler

July 25, 2024

Dr. Reyniak worked with my mother Aida, at his hospital. He was my Dr. since I was 18, at 39 I was married for the second time & told him I wanted to try to have a baby, in his special way he said at your age, 2 mths is like 2 yrs. Go home & try. If you are not pregnant come right back. I came back; he performed his magical myomectomy & several mths later I was pregnant! My wonderful son Jonathan is now 33. I am still thankful to Dr. Reyniak to this day. I am now 73 & spent my life, lucky enough to work with children as a Speech Pathologist. Thank You, to Dr Reyniak's family for sharing. All My Best Wishes,
Terry Schickler

Rowann Gilman

July 8, 2024

The finest doctor I've ever had., and a lovely, wonderful man.

Kathryn Stanley Podwall

March 11, 2024

Somehow on this day (3/11/24)-- I arrived mentally at the decision to attempt to learn via online info about Dr. V. Reyniak. Over the years I lived well but without the patient-doctor relationship with this exceptional person. Yes, Dr. Reyniak through his surgical skill, his personality and concern was able to provide well for me to live onward into my current age. With gratitude I humbly honor him with this note. Also, in tribute and sadness of recognition that he is no longer among the living, except in the fondest memories of ever so many. Prof. Kathryn Stanley Podwall

Ellyn Field

April 1, 2023

i had googled to see where Dr Reyniak and Laurie may have been and i was so sad to see this and hear about his passing . We moved out of NYC and I lost contact with Dr. Reyniak but i wanted to say to his family and whoever is reading this and they no longer come like the man and doctor he was . I have never liked going to see my Md as i had Dr Reyniak and Laurie simply made the office work and be as wonderful as it was . i wish Dr Reyniak could see our beautiful 15 year old daughter whom we were finally able to conceive . i wanted to say he was a wonderful person and human being and incredible doctor . I offer my condolences to his family and i am happy there is this place to be able to let you know all
these years later he is still spoken of and thought of . God bless Ellyn Field

Rowann Gilman

July 8, 2022

I still think of you so often. They don't make doctors like you any more.

Maria Gisbert

July 6, 2009

To the family of Dr. Victor Reyniak:
For months he had been on my mind, but I did not know how to inquiry about his welfare. All I knew is that he had retired from practice, and that he was ill. I was almost afraid to know. Today, I confirmed what I was dreading to find out.
I feel so honor to have this opportunity to tell you about what my dear Dr. Reyniak did for me. I always thought my story was unique, but after reading what so many of his beloved patients wrote, I realized that this man was truly a man sent by God.
When I first went to see Dr. Reyniak I was 23 years old. He diagnosed my endometriosis and performed surgery on me. I recall he told me that the tumors he removed where so large that they were recorded as the largest ever removed in JAMA. This was in 1978. In 1980 he had to repeat the surgery once again. This time he told me that although he had not removed any of my reproductive organs, my chances for conceiving were near zero. There were many scars after the surgeries and my endometriosis was severe. The following two years I was doing much better, but I would not conceive. My husband wanted to have children and asked me for a divorce.
I remarried in 1982 and we went to see Dr. Reyniak. He was very supportive as always and sent us home with some options to think about. The following month, while still contemplating our options, I became pregnant with our first daughter, Desiree, who is now 25 years old. When I told Dr. Reyniak, he told me, "someone up there likes you, you are a blessed woman." When our daughter was 3 months old I became pregnant with our second child, Nelson II, who is now 24 years old.
I know what you might be thinking, but, my ex-husband also remarried and had children.
Dr. Reyniak continued to be my doctor for almost 30 years. Each time he saw me he would remind me about how huge the tumors had been, and he would always be amazed at the miracle that had taken place inside my body. "There is not a single scar inside of you", he would say.
Yes, I feel blessed, in many ways. I am blessed to have known a man such as Dr. Reyniak. He was compassionate, caring and a rare gift to all of us who had a chance to know him. He is an
irreplaceable human being, and he will forever be missed and in our hearts.

God bless you.

Rowann Gilman

March 9, 2009

I do not have children. But I had Dr. Reyniak, who I knew had brought hundreds of them to life. If anyone ever looked forward to a visit to the gynecologist, it was I--I had a huge crush on him. His European elegance, beautifully tailored suits, his wonderful face and accent, a comforting voice, and unexpected sense of humor never failed to delight me. I believed that he had had a very mysterious, dramatic past, that he had overcome great tragedy and grief, and had sought recompense by vowing to give life where it stubbornly refused to grow. Whether it's true, I do not know. I like it, though. I like to think of his time here as being intended to make him a savior of sorts, and that is precisely what he came to be. Lucky man.
I absolutely adored him, and was thrilled to sky when I ran into him at the opera. What a blessing to have had him for as long as we did, and to now have generations who owe the debt of their very being to him. I do not know his family, to whom my heart truly reaches out. To beautiful, gracious Laurie, though, who was probably the most perfect match for someone so remarkable, I send healing thoughts and wishes for a different but fulfilling future.
I have just one request, and hope it is not too presumptuous. To his family, I ask to please place a rock or a stone for me.

Alisa Woods

October 28, 2008

I am truly saddened to hear of Dr. Reyniak's death. He was an outstanding surgeon who made the birth of my son, Constantine Victor (middle name in his honor) a possibility. Not only was he brilliant, he was a kind and uplifting person who elevated my mood after the surgery and even called me at home to see how I was doing. He was a rare individual.

Anna Riopi

October 8, 2008

I was so very saddened to hear about Dr. Reyniak's passing. There will never be another doctor so caring, kind, devoted and brilliant. He was my doctor for 24 years. He helped make possible the birth of my miracle baby - who is now 13 years old. I will never, ever forget
Dr. Reyniak. May he rest in peace, and my deepest sympathy to his family.

Deedee Zannetti

September 30, 2008

Dr. Reyniak was my doctor and my friend for 34 years. I consider it an honor and a privlege to have known such a gentle and caring man.

Our history goes back to Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital where, with tears in his eyes, he told me I was pregnant after 7 years of infertility.

After this "miracle baby from no where" as he called her, another miracle little girl followed shortly after. After this delivery I became ill. For the next 27 years, he always mentioned at every visit how upsetting that time was for him. He would still comfort me for what I had gone through. He alway remembered every detail of my life and my family's life. We would share pictures of our children and exchange life's stories.

When I learned of his illness I was filled with such sadness. This man who had helped so many of us through emotional and physical pain was now on a very painful journey himself.

My life would never have been what it has had I not met Dr. Reyniak. My husband and I would not have the two wonderful and beautiful daughters we have loved and cherished for the last 31 and 29 years.

I wish peace and comfort for the Reyniak family. Please know this great man will never be forgotten.

Laurie I will miss you. You made everything so easy and so comforting.

Monica Jacobson

September 16, 2008

Dr. Reyniak was my doctor for almost thirty years. His humor and compassion, his delight in life and in his work, were evident every time we met. When I learned I was pregnant, my first thought was to bring him flowers, which I did -- I am convinced that my first born, Rachel, is here because of of Dr. Reyniak's care, insight, and compassion. I am privileged to have been his patient, and extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family, and to Laurie, whom I also miss.

Deborah Parnes

September 5, 2008

I am so sorry to learn the news. I was a patient of Dr. Reyniak's for 30 years. He saved my life--mentally-- and was always available throughout the years whenever I needed support. When I moved to Atlanta, I continued to fly to see him for regular appointments. I was excited to move to Boston and to have a shorter trip ! I am sorry that was not to be. We will not see his kind again. I was very blessed to call him my doctor for so many years. My prayers for his family and for Laurie. Laurie, I will miss you as well.

Lynne Zimmerman

September 4, 2008

our daughter will be twenty-two years old in October. Dr Reyniak is the reason I have been able to spend the last 21 years celebrating those Mothers Days and experiencing motherhood. I have never forgotten his wonderful, warm, ways, and amazing expertise. He performed three surgeries on me and one major miracle. May he rest in peace. Our condolenscences to his family.

Alan Sacerdote

September 3, 2008

Dr. Reyniak was my professor and a great role model for me. He was one of my greatest inspirations to become an endocrinologist and join a medical school faculty. The joy of being a doctor, a scientist, and a teacher radiated from himcontagiously. He was also my wife Nancy's doctor and diagnosed her pregnancy with our son Derek.

Joan Husserl

August 30, 2008

It is with great difficulty and with tears flowing that I am now writing. No words can express what I truly feel.

In 1973, when I was just 19 years old, I became Dr. Reyniak’s patient. At that time, he was just starting out at Flower Fifth Ave. Hospital. After being sick for over 1½ years, Dr. Reyniak not only diagnosed my condition and later operated, but actually accomplished what many other doctors could not…he made me well! In doing so, he proved to everyone that I did not need a psychiatrist (as some doctors had suggested), but that I was indeed ill. Thanks to his expertise, for the next 33 years he always said, “I made you perfect.” It is because of him that I have two beautiful children.

He was more than a physician. As we grew older together, he was a life-long friend. Just last August, Laurie and I joked that I was celebrating an anniversary of being his patient for 34 years. On my visits, with deep pride and love, he always spoke about his wife and children and their great accomplishments. We would reminisce about the time he brought his son to the hospital with him when I was operated on “before the fun day they were going to spend at the Central Park Zoo.” Not only was he a wonderful doctor, but a doting father as well.

Last August, on my last visit, we discussed my son’s upcoming medical school graduation and that he was applying for his residency in OB-GYN. Doctor Reyniak knew about the infertility research projects my son had been involved in over the years. I told him that my son was to start a final rotation at Mount Sinai last September. It made Dr. Reyniak so happy. Unfortunately, my son never got to meet him there, but often heard countless salutations about “the great Doctor Reyniak.” It is somehow comforting to think that due to my past medical history and Doctor Reyniak’s accomplishments, my son is now helping to bring babies into the world too. Ironically, my son’s residency began on July 1, 2008…just days before Dr. Reyniak passed away. This young man that Dr. Reyniak was so instrumental in helping to bring into the world would now begin to dedicate his life to work in Dr. Reyniak’s field of medicine...as if the torch had been passed to the next generation. If he becomes even half as good a doctor as Dr. Reyniak, it will be a tremendous accomplishment.

I was one of the lucky few to have had this devoted, gentle, caring and gifted doctor and friend for so many years. It is unimaginable what a loss his family and Laurie must now be experiencing. Words can never express how truly blessed I am to have known him. He will never be forgotten and always missed.

Janet Campos

August 30, 2008

My condolences to the family of Dr. Reyniak and to Laurie. It was my privilege to have been his patient for over 30 years. He was the consummate skillful, caring professional. He saved my life, and he will forever have an important place in my memories.

Lynda McDermott

August 26, 2008

When I heard that Dr. Reyniak was ill I wrote him a note thanking him for saving my life. I had pre-cancerous fibroids which he removed and then told me I needed a hysterectomy to be on the safe side. I resisted because I had not yet made a decision to have/not have a child. He made an appointment for me to talk with an oncologist at S-K who convinced me I had no choice but to have the surgery. I am alive and healthy and have a 13 year old daughter we adopted from China. Dr. Reyniak told me about another woman in the same situation who made a different choice and is now dead.

He was a proud and caring professional who will be remembered fondly.

Lynda McDermott

Grace Gambino

August 25, 2008

I was so saddened today to hear of Dr. Reyniak's passing. If it hadn't been for him, today, I would not have been blessed with three beautiful & healthy children. He knew that I had endometriosis at the time of examination but he did not know the true extent of it. While in surgery, he could not believe with his eyes that someone so young could have stage four of this devastating disease. It was not only in the uterus, but in all other surrounding organs. I know that he did what was best. He had to remove one ovary and fallopian tube. He gave me encouragement after the surgery to have children and to have them fast. Within a month, I was pregnant. He was so thrilled, happy, astonished but most of all relieved. He knew that his job to help people was accomplished. He has always been my "God Sent". So with this all said and done, I know that he will be missed immensely, but his spirit of encouragement will always have a special place in my heart. He will never be forgotten.
God Rest His Soul

Susan Hecht

August 23, 2008

I will never forget Dr. Reyniak's sadness when he informed my husband and myself that we wouldn't be able to have a child naturally and encouraged us to consider adoption. We were both touched by his obvious compassion and care for his patients. I continued to be his patient for the following 23 years. Will all miss this dedicated, talented, caring physician.

Susan Lillie

August 21, 2008

I was so crushed to receive the letter that Dr. Reyniak sent to his patients when he closed his medical practice to fight for his life. I had been his patient for 33+ years, and truely loved him as a human being and a friend. My deepest condolences go out to his family who he loved so much, and to Laurie - who was really a member of his family, as well.

Elaine READER

August 19, 2008

My Dear Doctor:
You were my doctor for twenty years. The best years of life for health and vigor --one I could ever imagine -- I could never imagine such skill and caring, your stock and trade. You were kind, considerate and, courtly. And I believe the most learned & influential doctor-- the very best, you were the best influence.
You were a savior for many and miracles aside,a great human being. I miss you. Kind regards to Laurie.

Sarah Goodwin

August 11, 2008

He saved my life as well as making possible my 13 year old son. A true gentleman, a great doctor and one of the more elegant men...
Thank you, Dr. Reyniak

Louise Scovell

August 6, 2008

Dr Reyniak was my doctor for eight years and was somewhat of a symbolic father figure for me. he saved my life in 2002 during a multiple myectomony. whilst i was 'bleeding out' from a ruptured artery he fought with his team to save my uterus, it was so close. if it wasn't for him i might not be alive and Sebastian, my beautiful little miracle certainly wouldn't.

when my mother died and i was in tears in his office, he said, "Oh Louise, what will you do?." he didn't try to belittle my pathos by trying to comfort me. i think he was the most empathic person i've ever known. he cared about his patients so considerately, so thoroughly, both inside and out: when i was in hospital he stopped by everyday, sometimes a few times a day. he never said but he knew i was from England and had no family visitors. we talked about all sorts of things, he was always so enthusiastic, kind and generous with his time.

he was such a dear, dear man . . . i told him Sebastian's middle name was going to be Victor, in his honor . . . then when it didn't happen because of family diplomacy(!), i apologized to him- he said sweetly; "That's alright Louise, lots of the babies born to my patients are called Victor somewhere or other in their name!."

i also want to mention Laurie, his secretary because they worked together so effectively as a team. they were the nicest, kindest, sweetest individuals and their level of care and professionalism was truly unique and unparalleled.

Good-bye and Thank you Dr Reyniak.

Mary Creagh

August 3, 2008

For over 25 years, i was fortunate to be Dr, Reyniak's patient, and a more gentle, compassionate, intelligent and insightful physician will never be had. He was always available to share his advice and expertise,calm and confident, guiding me through two surgeries and innumerable visits. How I will miss him - we have all lost a gifted physician, a dear friend and a truly remarkable human being. My sincere condolences to his family.

Terri Herman

August 1, 2008

We all have many doctors in our lives, safe to say those who were lucky enough to have Dr Reyniak were blessed. He was my doctor for over 28 years. His degree of caring for patients I'm afraid is a lost art.

Ann Gorewitz

July 31, 2008

I am so saddened to hear of Dr. Reyniak's passing. I had been his patient for over 20 years. When we first met I came to him for a second opinion. The first doctor had told me that I needed a hysterectomy. When I told her that I was thinking of having a child and asked if there was some other way to remove the fibroids, she flatly said, “No, there wasn’t.” She told me if I hadn’t had a child yet what made me think that I would have one. I was 36 years old at the time.

When I met Dr. Reyniak he said that he would perform a myomectomy. “After all you are thirty-six years old,” he said. “What if you want to have a child.” He was my beacon of light and gave me an option that worked out well.

Throughout the years he was more than a Doctor. He was friend I could talk to about problems. He would give me advice about skiing, a sport he passionately loved, and we shared stories and tips on running and cycling.

He was so filled with life and energy. He was so skilled and dedicated to the work he loved.

He will be sorely missed. I am fortunate to have known him. He will always be in my heart.

Arleen Mavorah

July 26, 2008

So saddened to learn of Dr. Reyniak's passing. He was my daughter's doctor and I accompanied her on many an occasion. Always greeted with a sincere smile, he was the essence of class and compassion. He truly cared - you could hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes. Having my daughter in the care of such a skilled surgeon was like placing her in the hands of G-d.
My sincerest condolences to his family at this time of sorrrow.

Leslie Curtis

July 21, 2008

My doctor for close to 35 years, and my friend. There will never be another like him. Kind, empathetic, brilliant, insightful, cultured, caring, and a fine, fine physician. I looked forward to my appointments, when we would share our thoughts about the New York dance world, especially City Ballet. I miss him dearly and will always keep his memory in my heart. He was one of the great ones. My deepest condolences to his family, whom he adored.

Ninfa Valella

July 18, 2008

I was sadden and shocked that Dr.Reyniak had passed. He was a wonderful doctor that gave me the opportunity to have 2 wonderful children. It was our yearly ritual to go and visit him at the office -- we will surely miss him . Our sincere sympathy to his family.

Yvonne Lewis

July 18, 2008

There could never be another Dr. Reyniak. I thank him each day and only wish he could have known that I am expecting! His devotion, kindness and compassion could never be replicated. Deepest Sympathy to his family. Rest in Peace.

nancy j. lang

July 17, 2008

a man among men, who could give life and save lives. a gentlemen who understood that was 2 words.
what a gift he gave to all of us, and
for those lucky enough to be in his
care. his passing will never be filled. love to all of his family, and
especially to the grandchildren...
we loved him so...

Nina Witzenburg

July 15, 2008

Were it not for Dr. Reyniak's skill, courage and compassion, I would not be the person I am today: the healthy mother of a wonderful teenage daughter. Quite simply, he saved my life (twice!), and made possible the conception of a beautiful new human being. I know that so many others will be eternally grateful to him, as I am, and I hope that this brings some comfort to his family.

Larry Kuznick

July 15, 2008

Victor was a gentleman, fine and intelligent and caring. There is precious little more one can say about a person, and he had all that. We have been neighbors and friends for many years, and I will certainly miss bumping into him on the elevator.

Sondra Gechlik

July 14, 2008

Dr Reyniak was a dear and thoughtful person. He was a wonderful and understanding doctor
and a true gentleman. I always knew that I could talk to him and he would explain and answer my questions without rushing me out of his office. I miss him greatly. I hope that he did not suffer too much in his final days. He cannot be replaced.

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