Robert Ian Finkel M.D.

Robert Ian Finkel, M.D.

Robert Ian Finkel, M.D., age 85, died peacefully May 26, 2025, at St. Anne's hospital surrounded by family and friends. Robert "Bob" was the son of Rose and Abe Finkel of Glencoe, IL. He attended New Trier High School (Class of 1957 and Phi Beta Kappa national scholastic honorary society), Brown University (Class of 1961 and member of Sigma Xi honorary science fraternity), and Yale School of Medicine (Class of 1965 and co-winner of the Milton Winternitz Prize in Pathology). Following medical school, he completed his Internship/Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center and a Fellowship in Arthritis and Connective Tissue Disease at Northwestern University Medical Center.

He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps, U.S. Navy Reserve, serving as a Medical Officer at the Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, NH, from 1969 to 1971. He often liked to tell the story of when he was the Temporary Duty Medical Officer on the Nuclear Submarine, USS Sam Rayburn. It was during this pivotal time in Portsmouth, that he was set up on a blind date with his future wife, Judy.

Dr. Finkel joined Toledo Clinic Rheumatology in 1973. During his tenure, served a term as President of the Toledo Clinic, and remained there until his retirement in 2005. As a career physician for nearly 40 years, he was a member of the American College of Rheumatology and belonged to Ohio State Society of Rheumatology. As a fellow of the Lucas County Academy of Medicine and board member of the Toledo Society of Rheumatology, he also served as a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Internal Medicine in Rheumatology.

Dr. Finkel taught at the Medical College of Ohio and was a Clinical Assistant professor of Medicine. In 1974, he was awarded the "Golden Apple" by the students of the medical college as outstanding clinician teacher of the year. He taught at all of the local hospitals in their Departments of Medicine, as he was one of the few Rheumatologists in the area at the time. He wrote over 10 juried scientific papers or national presentations on the subjects of Rheumatology and Immunology.

Bob was very involved in the community. He was a board member of the Archaeological Institute of America Toledo Society and the Torch Club. As a dedicated Toledo Club Member, he joined the Nooners, Tiger Table and Symposium. He served as historian for the American Legion Post 335, as well as supporting the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Opera and Toledo Symphony.

Bob loved to read and collect books, and was a member of The Bibliophiles. He was a wine enthusiast, but if not drinking wine, loved J&B Scotch with blue cheese olives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Abe and Rose; and brother, Steve. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy; and his three children, Daniel, Jessica and Emily; and his nieces, Sayde Finkel, Ruth Ann Phelps and Jane Hirsch.

The memorial service will be held Saturday, June 7th, at The Toledo Club. The family will receive visitors beginning at 4:00 p.m., with remarks at 5:00 p.m., followed by a reception until 7:00pm.

The family asks that people do not send flowers. Memorial donations are suggested in support of the Toledo Zoo or the Archeological Institute of America Toledo Society.