Dr. Selvin Sonken was a modest man, quiet and observant in his ways. He was trustworthy and traditional in his approach to life and in his relationships.        His parents were Mac and Sadye Sonken, both having immigrated from Russia as children. Growing up in the Sonken household was typical of Jewish immigrant homes in 1930's Brooklyn. There were good times to be had, but just as often there was a fair share of challenges as well. Sy was raised with one younger sister, Barbara. Barbara related that Sy often would walk her to and from school and synagogue.  As a young child, Sy was never someone who needed to be the center of attention. He wasn't pushy and never forced his way into games or other activities. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. He spent several hours every day taking the bus or train to high school. If there was spare time, he liked to ride his bicycle and play with tin soldiers. He also played some kick the can in the streets of Brooklyn.Sy's pet as a child was Princess, a Boston Terrier. Princess would launch herself into Sy's arms from 5 steps above when he came home. He often said that Princess had been his best friend. In the end, Princess stayed with the Sonkens for many years until she died. Later, Sy was not keen on getting his kids' first dog, a Springer Spaniel mix named Prince, as he knew who would end up walking him. When Prince got bloat, however, and Sherry was trying to make it home from University of Maryland Sy was the first one there at the veterinarian's office and was there with him when he died.        He graduated from James Madison H. S. He was a top notch student, with his favorite class being science. Sy always seemed to have a command of the facts and was able to make it seem as though he could easily master any problem that might be presented to him. Sy loved politics and astronomy. He took flying lessons as a teenager. Sy met Ira Phillips, on the trolley car their first day at NYU, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts. They remained friends for all these years. Sy later pursued graduate school, earning his Masters in Public Health in the early 1960's. Sy enlisted in the Army. He and Ira enlisted on the same day. Sy was stationed in Korea, standing all night guard duty in 23 degree temperatures with the standard issue overcoat. Young Sy was in place prior to the Korean War. He achieved the rank of Sergeant, and later the rank of Captain in the Public Health Service. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan. Understanding how important the outcome would be, he was dedicated in his role of service to our country. Sy liked to experience things first-hand as well as learn about them. This trait carried over into his hobbies, where he was very methodical in how he organized his activities and categorized things. Sy took flying lessons and hiked the Grand Canyon with Ira during his days on the Navajo Indian reservation where he served as their dentist. He also enjoyed bouncing around the reservation in his jeep. He used to tell the story of how, when he first arrived on the reservation, the older dentist was on one side of the room, but all patients lined up on Sy's side, as he had the Nitrous gas for anesthetic.         Sy's marriage to Jeanne Evelyn Walker ended in divorce, but he moved to only 20 minutes from the family home. He remained involved in his childrens' life and responsible for their well being and education. His daughter, Sherry remembers visits with her brother Ron to their Dad's apartment, where dinner was usually a choice between chicken and pork chops; canned corn or green peas. His cooking skills were far outmatched by his loyalty and love. As an adult, Sy was not a practicer of a specific religion, but had respect for all. Sy was a founding member of the National Holocaust Memorial Museum. He proudly wore his holocaust memorial pin on his jacket lapel. He generously donated regularly to charities like the National Children's Hospital and National Jewish Hospital. He also enjoyed monthly luncheons with the Rodeo (Retired Old Dentists Eating Out). Politically, Sy leaned to left, but seemed to become more conservative as he aged. He could always hold up his end of a political argument, and according to long-time friend Jerry Gribble, could make the argument continue long into the night! Sy enjoyed traveling He enjoyed researching all of his examined options and applying cost-effective planning techniques. He traveled to China, South America, Singapore, Malaysia and Canada. He enjoyed visiting friends like Jerry Gribble, Win Frenzel and Ira Phillips; and family all over the United States.            According to letters from associates and friends sent in honor of his retirement in 1988 as Dental Director after 32 years in the United States Public Health Service, Dr. Selvin Sonken was instrumental in initiating many positive changes in health care delivery. To quote a letter from Harry Allen, ASG, USPHS-Ret, "We were a part of that exciting time in the field of Public Health which was during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. We were in the vanguard promoting changes in the health delivery system. Programs that are now accepted as commonplace, such as Comprehensive Health Planning, Peer Review, Flouridation of water supplies, Community Health Grants and Nursing Home Improvement all were initiated during this exciting period." A letter from Dr. Tullio Albertini stated "It seems like only yesterday when you and I were driving up to the wilds of Maine to visit the Passamaquoddy Indians and their Head Start program....How about all of the the meetings we attended in the battle to fluoridate the water in the greater Boston metropolitan area? A lot of time has passed during those intervening years and many of the concepts which you felt deeply about live on in the minds of the people you touched, including mine. The dental health of the indigent, the young and others in the New England States are better off today because of your efforts. The same can be said of native Americans and the indigent across this nation.      I am very proud to have served under you. I learned a great deal from you and hopefully through that increased knowledge and experience can also make a positive impact on the health of our nation's citizens. You once told me that in public health you are fortunate if you see even one seed bear fruit in a lifetime of effort. Well, in your case, you can be assured that many seeds have born fruit because of your efforts." In another letter for Sy's retirement in 1988, an associate stated "I have always respected and appreciated your advice and counsel over the years and I believe that your retirement is an unfortunate loss for the United States Public Health Service, Public Health Dentistry and our country. Unfortunately, the current administration has not made it easy for people in public health to do what is needed." Sy's daughter is grateful that she found these letters, and fervently hopes she has not overstepped her bounds in adding them to his biography.           Although retirement came earlier than he'd hoped, he had planned well and had his retirement all laid out in advance. Sy stayed in Bethesda, MD, where he'd become comfortable in his surroundings. The owner of Foong Lin, his long time favorite Chinese restaurant, knew him well. In retirement, though he did some traveling, he spent even more time on the computer and following the stock market. He really started to live his life when he met Janeil. We wish he'd met her years ago.      Sy's daughter who lives in Colorado, and son who lives in Florida would like to add to this memorial by saying thank you to several people. We are forever grateful for the support and dedication of his best friend, Faye Seltzer, the support and love of his lady friend, Janeil Stewart, the communication to all Dad's Public Health Service friends across the country by Tom Lowden, and the heroic efforts of son in law, Steve, who was with Dad during the week when Sherry had to return home. Steve worked tirelessly, communicating between Dr's and family. He and Janeil's son Walter set the apartment up for hospice to come in. Dr. Selvin Sonken passed away on December 14, 2009 at Casey House Hospice Center in Rockville, MD. He had developed many complications after an acute Myasthenia Gravis crisis. He was too vibrant of a man to put up with that kind of nonsense. Both his children, Ron and Sherry were with him 'round the clock for the 4-5 days at the end. He is survived by them, his grandchildren Alex, Roxie, Jake, Brody and Sam; and his sister Barbara. Services were scheduled at River Road Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, MD. The blizzard of 2009, which some of the family suspects Sy may be enjoying from where he sits, has made organizing the service near impossible. The family is planning to lay him to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with full honors during the summer of 2010, when the weather will be more welcoming to his loyal friends and family.