Dr.Roy Geduldig

Doctor Roy Geduldig, a fixture in the Dover and Tuscarawas Valley medical community, died peacefully early Saturday morning, July 14, 2012, in Park Village Health Care Center at Dover, a day after celebrating his 86th birthday.

Born July 13, 1926, at Brooklyn, New York, he was a son of the late Joseph David and Tillie Silbiger Geduldig.

In 1946 Roy graduated from the Polytechnic Institute of New York with a bachelor’s degree in Science and Chemistry. He continued his studies at the University of Zurich at Switzerland, earning his Doctorate of Medicine in 1953. His residencies were completed at Queen Medical Center at New York, and Children’s Hospital at Columbus.

Dr. Roy heard of a community that was in need of a pediatrician, and fell in love with Dover after opening his practice there. “When I came here in 1957, there had been two pediatricians here before me who only lasted a few months, and when I got here people assumed I would leave the area too.” Upon his retirement in 1994, Roy told a newspaper reporter “I’ve been satisfied with my career here. It’s what I’ve wanted. It’s been a long, pleasant association.”

During his thirty-seven years of pediatric practice in the Tuscarawas Valley, he lead a number of civic activities. He chaired the Tuscarawas County March of Dimes during the 1960 campaign. He co-chaired the drive to eradicate polio with the county-wide oral vaccine, given over the course of three Sundays for a charge of 25 cents per dose. Geduldig was also active in the county-wide drive in 1970 to immunize school children against Rubella.

Dr. Roy was a charter member of the planning committee for the Tuscarawas County Health Board, and was instrumental in the construction of the present Tuscarawas County General Health District building.

Even after retirement, he remained active as a consultant to the New Philadelphia Board of Health, and the New Philadelphia School District, and playing bridge with his wife and friends.

His memberships included the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and was a member of the Temple Israel of Canton. He formerly served as President of Temple Irsael Brotherhood for two years.

Survivors include his wife, the former Doris DeArment of Dover, and two sons; Aaron and his wife, Teresa, both of whom are Colonels in the United States Army, of Fairfax, Virginia, and Gordon of Columbus.

Three grandchildren, Meghan and Nicole of Fairfax, Virginia, and Brandon of Columbus and two sisters, Lita Pollack of Connecticut and Carol Herman of Las Vegas, Nevada complete the family.

Dr. Geduldig has arranged for his body to be willed to The Ohio State University.

Family and friends will gather for a memorial service, lead by Rabbi John H. Spitzer, on Sunday afternoon, July 29, at 2 PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service in dining room of the Geib Funeral Center at Dover.

Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Israel 2631 Harvard Avenue, NW Canton, OH 44709.

Geib Funeral Center at Dover
(330) 343-5506
www.geibcares.com