DR. STANLEY MARK CUTLER

1955 - 2021

DR. STANLEY MARK CUTLER Dr. Stanley "Stan" Mark Cutler of Wilmington, NC died suddenly on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at the age of 66. He was born January 3rd, 1955 in Cheltenham, PA to the late Dr. Irving Cutler and Evelyn Gold Cutler. He is survived by his beloved wife Geri Cutler and his children Joshua Cutler of Houston TX, Shoshannah Cutler of New York City, Jeffrey Brick of Los Angeles, Jennifer Murtazashvili of Pittsburgh (and her Husband Ilia and their four children Leo, Zoe, Eve and Max) and Julie Brick of Pittsburgh. He is also survived by his sisters Shelley Cutler and Joanne Lytle. He leaves behind his best friends, his two dogs Muffin and Moshie, a history of the best dad jokes and puns known to man, and a closet full of the world's best sweater vests and ties. Stanley grew up in Cheltenham, PA just outside of Philadelphia attending Cheltenham High School. He had a vibrant childhood; his early joys were playing Tennis, where he competed in double State Championships while also delighting the country club community with tennis lessons, sharing his expertise and skills. Stan also had a strong affinity for musical instruments, his primary being the piano where he reached a high level of skill, performing famous pieces by Chopin, Joplin, Mozart, Beethoven and more. Never being satisfied with just one, he also played folk music on guitar and accordion, even going so far as joining a Polish folk where he participated in professional live performances. Although you might have recognized him as a clean-cut professional doctor, in his high school and college years he sported long flowing black hair, a full goatee and a smirk that matched his witty sense of humor. Stan graduated from Swarthmore College in 1976 year with a degree in Math Linguistics, which was a "Stanley Original" because Swarthmore allows free spirits to chart their own original majors. Unsure whether or not he'd go into medicine, he devised his own course work that reflected his natural talents in music, mathematics and linguistics, all of which laid the foundation for a successful medical career. Stan could be found cruising to class on his unicycle, where one of his favorite pranks was to pretend to read a book while approaching a flight of stairs, where he would eagerly await the gasps of onlooking students whereafter he would gracefully glide smoothly down the stairs. He attended medical school at Temple University School of Medicine (MD) before pursuing a Family Practice Internship and Residency at Grant Hospital and Fellowship at the Ohio State University (OSU Residency). He obtained a Fellowship in geriatrics from Ohio State University doing field work at heritage house in Columbus in Bexley, OH where he met his beloved wife, Geri. He met his Geri, doing Geriatrics. During his fellowship he devised a curriculum in Geriatrics and Gerontology for Family Practice Residents. Stan's approach to medicine was firmly cemented early in his career. He was faithfully devoted to his patients above all else - this was evident in his curriculum introduction: "Making a commitment to help a sick person and being responsible to see that the help needed is received is fundamentally different than treating a disease or ruling in or out the presence of a particular disease of a particular organ system. The human element is greatest in the role of the Family Physician and similarly one expects compassion, humanism and caring to be the qualities par excellence of the family physician. A geriatrics curriculum should nurture these qualities." And during his many years of practice, he followed through with nurturing these qualities in himself. In 1986, Stan and Geri moved to Pittsburgh, PA where he started practice at Mercy Hospital before transitioning to the role of Medical Director at a sizeable geriatric organization, St. Barnabas of Gibsonia, PA. He learned to love the city of Black and Gold (even though it was the rival to his birthplace of Philadelphia), and the Pittsburgh Steelers and all their glory for the next 22 years of his career. In 2008, Stan and Geri moved to Wilmington, NC where Stan joined Dr. Mary Rudyk at Senior Health Associates with focus on providing outstanding care and compassion for the geriatric population in the area. He helped transform the medical care of patients at New Hanover Regional Medical Center as the Chairman of Family Medicine for the hospital. He worked tirelessly to ensure his patients had the best care while providing careful attention to details, compassion, and comfort. He was kind, respectful of all, encouraging to his colleagues, and always wanted to provide a joke or smile to his patients before leaving an exam room. He adored his patients and staff, treating them as family, and many would say the same of him. He was an attending physician at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Accordius Heath of Wilmington, and Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation in Wallace, NC. He placed no limit on the time he spent with patients, as they were the focus of his attention. He took the oath to treat the ill to the best of his ability. He enhanced and extended life to so many and truly wanted to make a difference in the care of the geriatric population. This was his life's calling to benefit the sick and those in need. He was a dedicated father and had love and loyalty for his wife and a shared passion for their travels. One of their favorite trips was to the Galapagos Islands in 2016 where he got to see the giant turtles, his wife's nickname for him was "the turtle doc." Throughout his life he embraced culture and learning new languages, which enhanced his ability to care for all people. He felt that by engaging people in their native languages and customs he could express universal empathy and friendship - he wasn't just a tourist passing through. Traveling around the world provided him regeneration when needed and he was always extremely excited to share pictures and stories upon his return. Stanley had a passion for coffees and teas, with a robust collection of French press and artisan coffee machines, tea pots and espresso makers in his home. He has more coffee machines and methods to make coffee than one might find in their local Starbucks. Starting the day with a perfect cup set the day in motion, and with the right start, any day could become a spectacular day. Stan's house is full of tiny note cards. Whenever he met someone he would write down conversation notes to make sure he could send a sweet card, a text with a good dad joke, or have something personal to help him connect when you'd meet him again. Well, our dearest Stanley, while we will never meet again in person, we will always take note of all the amazing things you taught us and passed on to us. We will miss your FaceTimes, small texts, and most of all - your jokes. We will miss spending time together drinking the perfect cup of coffee, receiving thoughtful cards and newspaper clippings, and warm hugs. We regret all of things you will not be able to see but know that you are there with us while we continue on without you. We love you forever, Stan the Man. We will be thinking of you always. A private memorial service will be held via Zoom on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 7PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation at 2001 S 17th St. Wilmington, NC 28401. The Cutler family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Mary Rudyk for her partnership, friendship, and guidance to improve healthcare in Wilmington over the past 12 years. To all the staff at Senior Health Center, New Hanover Regional Health Care, Accordius Health of Wilmington, and the Brian Center, we share the loss you feel and thank you for being his family away from home.