Norton J. Schlesinger, 79, of Lake Oswego, Ore., died Dec. 24, 2011. Dr. Schlesinger was born April 25, 1932, at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles, to Louis and Lillian D. Schlesinger. He passed away Dec. 24, 2011, following a 14-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife, Lora Ione (Chapman) Schlesinger of Lake Oswego; brother, M.A. “”Cal”” Schlesinger and his wife, Marilyn of Gilroy, Calif.; and sisters, Susan E. C. Barnes of Jacksonville, Fla., and Gloria S. Patton of Lake Oswego. He was a beloved uncle and step-father to three generations, all of whom will miss his cheerful, optimistic and loving presence. Dr. Schlesinger was raised in Altadena, Pasadena and San Francisco, Calif., moving with his family in 1945 to North and then South Carolina where his father, a career Marine, was stationed. He graduated from Beaufort (S.C.) High School, then attended and graduated in 1954 from the Citadel in Charleston, S.C. Upon graduation, Jerry entered the U.S. Marine Corps as a 2nd Lt., and served for six years. He often said his fondest memory of that time was his two year assignment aboard the USS Washburn as Load Master and Legal Officer. He was notably the only Marine aboard during that tour. From 1960-64, fulfilling his childhood interest in medicine, Jerry attended the California College of Podiatric Medicine. Upon graduation he practiced in San Francisco with his maternal uncle, Dr. Alfred Roos, and established a private practice in Mill Valley, Calif., in 1966. In 1970, at the request of a colleague, Jerry moved to Yakima, Wash., and established Podiatric offices there and in Ellensburg and Sunnyside, Wash., practicing until 1996. He was a staff member at Providence Hospital, Yakima Memorial Hospital and New Valley Osteopathic Hospital in Yakima and at Sunnyside General Hospital in Sunnyside. That Dr. Schlesinger was highly respected is demonstrated by his appointments as a Board member and Chairman of the Washington State Podiatry Association (1982-95); ABPS Board Certified in Forefront surgery (1991); and Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery (1991). Additionally, he served on multiple community boards and service organizations, was a lifetime member of the YMCA, Washington State Arabian Racing Assocation and the Central Washington Arabian Horse Club. In 1984, through the Arabian Horse Club, Jerry found his true love, Ione. They married in 1986 and in 1999 moved to her hometown, Lake Oswego. They took part in OHSU’s YMCA Parkinson’s tri-weekly exercise classes and the Parkinson’s Resource of Oregon activities including Movement Classes designed specifically for Parkinson’s patients. As a highly respected member of his communities, Jerry was a member of the Yakima Chapter, National Chrysanthemum Society, serving as a national judge and chairing a National Mum Show. He carried his interest in supporting youth, beginning as a Boy Scout leader in the California Bay Area, to Washington where, along with Dr. B. Thomas, he led Boy Scouts on annual 50 mile weeklong Cascade Trail camping hikes. Ever the adventurer and not one to back away from challenges, Jerry was a downhill skier and mountain climber having conquered every major peak in Washington and some in Oregon. Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm, Chabad of Oregon, officiated at graveside burial services in Riverview Cemetery, Portland. The family suggests contributions in Jerry’s memory to any of the following, Chabad of Oregon, 6686 S.W. Capitol Hwy., Portland OR 97219; Parkinson’s Resource of Oregon, 3975 Mercantile Dr., # 154, Lake Oswego, OR 97035; or Robison Health Center, 6125 S.W. Boundary St., Portland, OR 97221. Tags: 1954
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