Robert A. Fink M.D., F.A.C.S.

1938 - 2016

Robert A. Fink, M.D., F.A.C.S.

1/17/1938 - 1/23/2016

Berkeley's pioneering neurosurgeon, Robert A Fink, MD, FACS, 78, died at home, with family, following a long struggle with prostate cancer.
Bob was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. A 1961 graduate of University of Maryland's Medical School in Baltimore, he completed specialization training at the University of Chicago, then worked at Berkeley's Lawrence-Berkeley National Laboratory. He served in the army during the Vietnam War, working at Letterman Hospital, The Presidio of San Francisco. After the Army, Bob began his private practice in Berkeley. Dr. Fink had many published professional articles, conference presentations, and was also Assistant Professor at the UCSF Medical School. Dr. Fink spearheaded the development of one of the first trauma-focused hospital services in Northern California (Herrick), which served as a model for other hospitals. He was Chief of Surgery and Head of Neurosurgery, positioning him to raise funds for an early MRI machine, introduce laser brain and spinal surgery, and set modern standards of neurological care. He also recruited outstanding African American and Jewish doctors (not then fully accepted, even in Berkeley), to the Herrick staff, and championed the causes of the nurses with whom he worked. He was renowned as an outstanding diagnostician, who, proudly, was never sued in his 47 years of practice. Bob worked as a surgeon at Kaiser, Doctor's, Summit, Alta Bates, Highland and many other Bay Area hospitals.
Bob is survived by his wife and partner, Ilene Dillon-Fink, his only sister, Maureen Rose Chatham, daughters, Deborah (David Streitfeld), Bekka, Rena and Robin Fink, step-children Jonathan Lambert (Anne) and Liz Schroeder (Warren) and 5 grandchildren. His first wife, Doris Levi Fink, and second wife. Georgia Jackman Fink, pre-deceased him.
Very special thanks to Bob's Care Givers, especially Lynette Rivard, Fritzie Ortega, and Janice Ramirez. Thanks to Care Indeed, AIM, and Sutter Care at Home.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dr. Fink's name to Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (www.philharmonia.org) and St Anthony's Dining Room (www.stanthonysf.org/diningroom/).
Funeral services February 5: Mass 10:30 am, St Perpetua Church, 3454 Hamlin Rd, Lafayette, CA, followed by 1:30 pm graveside ceremony at Sunset Cemetery, El Cerrito, CA, and an informal gathering following interment. For photos and details www.sunsetviewcemetery.com/