Glendale resident and podiatrist Robert Abrams died Jan. 23 of heart failure. He was 81.
Born in Milwaukee, he dropped out of high school at age 17 to join the Marines, where he served in the south Pacific during World War II. He later re-enlisted in both the Army and the Navy Reserves. When he returned, he earned his G.E.D. and eventually enrolled at the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, graduating in 1954. He was a practicing podiatrist for 45 years.
According to his family, “He was an old fashioned doctor who spent a lot of time with his patients and considered many as part of his family.” Even after his retirement, patients would ask if they could come to his house for treatment.
His family also said that Abrams “was a strong advocate for podiatrists’ rights and was instrumental in helping colleagues obtain hospital privileges.”
A member of the Jewish War Veterans and a former member of Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, he was also a past member of the American College of Foot Surgeons, of which he served on the board, and former chief of podiatry at Northwest General Hospital. He also enjoyed golf and spending time with his sons.
He is survived by his wife, Diane (nee Mandel) Abrams, of Glendale; sons Dr. Matthew Evan (Dafna) Abrams of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Andrew Abrams of Glendale; brother, Dr. Julian E. (Marion) Abrams, of Milwaukee; and four grandchildren.
Hazzan Mitchell Martin officiated at funeral services Jan. 26. Burial was in Mound Zion Cemetery.
Memorials to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation Disaster Relief Fund, Dove Health Care or ASERA Hospice Care would be appreciated by the family.
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