Sherwood Alan Weisman, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, was born in Manhattan, New York, on April 21, 1946, to loving wonderful parents Gussie Schifrin Weisman and Raphael Lester Weisman. He died on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
He is survived by his wife Susan Ann Weisman and they were wed on January 5, 1975. They met in his office. Susan was born in West Virginia. His daughter is Katie VanBrunt and her husband Blake is a Lieutenant and medical officer in the United States Navy. His grandchildren are Emmalyn, Adelaide and Alexander. His sister Ann Reva Jacobson lives in Houston, Texas. His niece is Elena Asher and nephew is Reid Jacobson who live in Austin TX. Other nieces and nephews are Jessica and Lee Ash, Amy and Michael Nuzum, Lori and PK Milam, Kevin Milam and Holly Goodrich. His sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law are Lib and James Milam, Elizabeth and Randy Coffindaffer and Cindy and Sammy Ward. Sher said that he had wonderful loving inlaws Georgia and Cecil Coffindaffer, Susan's parents, who died years ago.
His cousins are Jo-Ann Orlinsky, Audrey Sage, Carol Morgan, Alice Jena, Lewis and Debbie Meixler, Dr. William and Barbara Jacobowitz, Brian and Barbra Herman and Stephen and Delica Herman. His surviving aunt is Lucille Jingeleski. In addition to the members of his Rotary Club (the Rotary Club of DeBary-Deltona-Orange City) his good friends are Dr. William Kaufnan, Dr. Robert Weber, Dr. Mark Davids, Lenard Persin, Blake VanBrunt and Mary VanBrunt. (Deceased good friends were Roger Block and Howie Jalowsky). He appreciated the help of Donna and Robert Kleinigger who put him in contact with Don Jones, W7ZZI, who put up a wire amateur radio antenna single-handedly and attached it to the tower that was in the backyard after the antenna had fallen down. This permitted She to get on the air again so he could continue to enjoy amateur radio, a hobby her enjoyed since he was sixteen years old.
Sher (his nickname) lived his life according to the golden rule that you treat each person how you would like to be treated, in and outside of his profession. He tried to conform to Rotary International's Four Way Test of the things we think, say or do; a test used by Rotarians world-wide as a moral code for personal and business relationships. The test can be applied to almost any aspect of life: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
He was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer Scout. When he was young he collected stamps and coins. His father started the stamp collection. He would write to famous people asking for their autograph. He received letters from these nice individuals, sometimes with a picture. He even received a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt. He liked playing baseball and fishing when he was young.
At a young age he researched professions and wanted to become an FBI Special Agent. At that rime one had to have 20/20 vision. He then found out about a medical specialty called podiatry. He pursued this profession at a very young age. He knew that people could always use the services of a podiatrist and he would always be employed. He graduated from Nassau Community College and M. J. Lewi College of Podiatry (New York College of Podiatric Medicine). After graduation, Sher was appointed to the Faculty of the Lewi College of Podiatry in NYC and a Clinical Professor of Podiatry for 1971-72 year, and he was a Clinician at Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC before coming to Florida in 1972.
In 1971, Sher tried to obtain a Commission as a podiatrist in the US Air Force. Nothing was available at the time. He then applied to the US Navy. Months later he received a letter of acceptance in the US Navy as a podiatrist ordering him to report to Bethesda MD for Officer Training. Although he wanted to serve his country in the military, he was told by his Uncle Meyer, his brother-in-law Peter Jacobson who was in the US Navy in the past, and Dr. Ronald Feldman, a podiatrist who had served in the US Navy, not to accept the Commission. Dr. Feldman had learned that he would be going to Camp LeJeune after basic training. The Vietnam War was still on and two of Sher's cousins were killed in the war. Sher reluctantly turned down the Commission.
He was a Diplomate of the National Board of Podiatry Examiners when he graduated in 1969, He held licenses in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia and Florida. He also passed the examination to practice in Connecticut. Since he only practiced in Florida, he did not maintain his other licenses.
Sher was Board Certified in Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine, and Board Certified in Podiatric Surgery by the American Podiatric Medical Specialties Board.
He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine. He was a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association. He was also a member of The Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. He was an Emeritus Member of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons.
He was a Life Member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Florida Podiatric Medicine Association. He as a past Director on the Board of the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine; Membership Chairman of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association and member of the NY State Podiatry Association. He was formerly on Staff at Orlando General Hospital (now Florida Hospital - East Orlando), Florida Hospital - Fish Memorial, Central Florida Regional Hospital, Orlando Regional South Seminole Hospital and DeLand Surgery Center. He was President of the Central Florida Podiatric Medical Society from 1978-1979.
Sher was appointed on May 31, 2007 by Governor Charlie Crist to the Board of Podiatric Medicine (for term ending July 2013). During this time he was elected Vice-Chair of the Board and served as Chair of the Disciplinary Compliance Committee and Probably Cause Panel.
He was President of the Rotary Club of DeBary-Deltona 1980-81 (now DeBary-Deltona-Orange City), and served as their webmaster (www.DeBaryRotary.org) He held many positions in the Club. Both he and Susan were Paul Harris Fellows. Sher was Servant leader and well respected Rotarian. He received numerous awards through his years in Rotary. In September 2010, he received the District Governor's Citation in recognition of his unselfish service to the DeBary-Deltona Club and was Rotarian of the Year in 2006-2007, for furthering the principles and ideals of the Rotary way of life. On June 29, 2018, Sher was presented the 2017-2018 Presidential Award by Joe Alemany, President of the Rotary Club of DeBary-Deltona-Orange City "In recognition of your time, dedication and invaluable contributions to our club and for the management of the ClubRunner website."
He was the Simchat Torah Honoree on October 10, 2009, for Congregation Beth Am, in Longwood. This was given to him for his dedication to the Blood Drives benefitting Florida's Blood Centers.
Sher was in private practice for many years in Deltona and DeBary FL. He was the second podiatrist in the City of Deltona. Starting on December 2, 2013, he was pleased to be a part of the Care Team at CFP Physicians Group, a family practice located in Casselberry FL. In this capacity Sher treated patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Although this was difficult at times, he felt satisfied in helping the elderly.
He held Amateur Radio Extra Class license WA4HF. At one time, he was a member of the Navy Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio System (Callsign NNN0BJY). He could send and receive Morse Code. Many years ago he installed antennas on the roof of the Jewish Community Center and Hebrew Day School in Maitland FL. He set up an amateur radio station, working under the callsigns, K4HDS (now W4JAO) and W4JCC. To view the teaching Links listed on the website for the Jewish Academy of Orlando go to www.qrz.com/db/W4JAO. To see Sher's story of how he became interested in amateur radio, go to www.qrz.com/db/WA4HF. He was a member of the Orlando Amateur Radio Club and Lake Monroe Amateur Radio Society.
Sher and Susan were married on January 5, 1975, at Temple Israel in Orlando and were members for many years. They were also long-time members of Congregation Beth Am in Longwood and the Jewish Community Center in Maitland. Through the Sherwood and Susan Weisman Family Children's Scholarship Endowment Fund, Sher and Susan supported the pre-school students at the JCC and students at the Hebrew Day School (now Jewish Academy of Orlando). This fund was established in memory of their parents.
He was a Life Member of the ARRL, The National Association of Amateur Radio. Its mission is to advance the art, science and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). He did not believe in killing animals for trophies or for the joy of it, but only if you needed them for food. He wanted to see more stringent screenings so that criminals and people with mental problems are not able to buy guns, rifles and ammunition. He recalled that when he was in the boy Scouts he shot a rifle for target practice and this was sponsored by the NRA. It wasn't until just a few years ago that his synagogue started a short-lived club where he learned to shoot 22 caliber and 9 mm pistols for target practice at a local indoor shooting range. He had a concealed firearm license from the State of Florida. He only shot at the shooting range about three times. He wanted to continue in this sport but couldn't justify the cost due to Susan's illnesses. Later, when he became weak due to ALS, he was not able to pursue target practice.
He was a Life Member of the Walter Reed Society. Inc. This organization helps military veterans. He was a member of B'nai B'rith International, which combats anti-Semitism among other things. Sher also supported the following organizations: The USO, Jewish National Fund, American Friends of Magen David Adom, Birthright Israel Foundation,Central Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Nassau Community College, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Hillel International, The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, The Jewish Pavilion, World Jewish Congress, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Holocaust Memorial Research and Education Center (in Maitland FL), Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando, Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, The Rotary Foundation, PolioPlus, ASPCA, Florida Special Olympics, the Wounded Warrior Project, the Gary Sinese Snowball Express and the Shriner's Hospital for Children.
Sher had a good sense of humor even though he couldn't remember a joke. He wanted you all to know that he appreciated your friendship through the years and was thankful that Susan agreed to be his wife. She is a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. He is proud of Susan who helped many people throughout her long career at Walt Disney World. She given numerous awards. He is most proud of his daughter, Katie, and her husband, Blake, and their children Emmalyn, Adelaide and Alexander. He deeply loved and admired his sister Ann for all of her accomplishments, community service and kindness.
Sher will be interred at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Glendale NY, in the Weisman Family plot where his parents, grandparents, and aunt and uncle are buried,
If you care to make a donation in Sherwood's memory, one suggestion is to the Susan and Sherwood Weisman Family Children's Scholarship Endowment Fund (established 12/20/1998 for the benefit of the pre-school children at the JCC and the Jewish Academy of Orlando, formerly the Hebrew Day School of Central Florida, and in memory of Susan and Sherwood's parents) c/o TOP Jewish Foundation, 13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa FL 33625; or to a charity of your choice.
Funeral services and arrangements entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando FL 32810. 407.599.1180. www.bethshalommemorialchapel.com.
