Cover photo for Richard A. Slezak, Md's Obituary
Richard A. Slezak, Md Profile Photo
1922 Richard 2017

Richard A. Slezak, Md

January 25, 1922 — December 9, 2017

Obituary Image

Richard Slezak, M.D. of Ridgefield Park, NJ, died peacefully on December 9, 2017, at the age of 95.  Dick (as he was known to his family and friends) had a long and memorable life, full of various endeavors and adventures.   The youngest of six children, he was born January 25, 1922, in Manhattan, and he grew up in various areas of Queens, NY, mostly in the Czechoslovakian area of Astoria. An early talent for the trombone and love for jazz were developed, and by the time he graduated from high school at age 16, he was performing professionally with local dance bands. This musical gift changed his life’s course, enabling him to rise above his modest beginnings. The early 1940s jazz scene in New York brought him into contact with musical legend Les Paul, and the two remained longtime friends.  In 1942, Dick enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II between 1942 – 1945 as a musician 2nd-class in the United States Naval Reserve. He was stationed in Jacksonville, Fla. When WWII ended, he attended Long Island University while also performing with his jazz band, “Dick Slezak – His Trombone & Orchestra.”  Dick then transferred to Syracuse University, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelors of Arts, and continued on to medical school at Syracuse University, graduating with the Class of 1953. Dick paid his way through college managing to juggle a full academic course load with evening and weekend jazz gigs. He worked at various clubs in the Syracuse area including the Three Rivers Inn; one memorable show featured Nat  King Cole. He also toured with the McFarland Twins. Following graduation from medical school, Dr. Slezak had internship and residency with a focus in Psychiatry at Queens General Hospital in Jamaica, Long Island, until 1955. He worked as a General Practitioner in Tully, NY, from 1955-1957, and then as a ship’s doctor on the Grace Line. Returning from his travels, he then worked at Oneida County Hospital in Rome, NY. In January of 1959 he began a two-year residency at St. Luke’s Hospital (New York City); he stayed on as an attending physician specializing in anesthesia at St. Luke’s Hospital until 1963. During that time, he married and started a family, moved to Teaneck, NJ, and later moved to Saddle River, NJ.  He joined the staff at Holy Name Hospital (Teaneck) in 1963, where he introduced the epidural procedure to the staff, and served as the Chief of Anesthesia at Holy Name Hospital between 1979 – 1985. Upon retirement in 1989, Dr. Slezak moved to Ridgefield Park, NJ, and returned to the music scene.  For nearly 15 years, he was a regular at “Jazz at Noon,” the popular weekly series in Manhattan that gave musicians who had chosen non-jazz careers an opportunity to play together and to back well-known jazz musicians.  Dr. Slezak also enjoyed travel, classic films, and crossword puzzles; he was an avid wordsmith with an appreciation for wit and had a good sense of humor. He even took up skiing in his 50s, became a tennis player after retirement, and continued to be active up into his 80s. His vibrancy and talents are missed. Dr. Slezak is survived by five children (Nancy Adriance [husband: Tim] of Bergenfield, NJ; Martha Slezak of Tenafly, NJ; Kathryn Slezak of Allentown, PA; Robert Slezak of Grayson, GA; Patty Slezak of Ringwood, NJ) and four grandchildren (John Adriance of Dover, NH; Jeanette Love [husband: Ashton] of Virginia Beach, VA; Lauren Listor [husband: Erik] of Jersey City, NJ; Stephen Slezak of Grayson, GA). He is also remembered fondly by four nephews and their families. Visitation will take place at Petrik Funeral Home (140 Palisade Avenue, Bogota, NJ) on Friday, December 15, 2017, between 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Burial will be private at Linden Hill Cemetery in Ridgewood, NY, on Saturday.


To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard A. Slezak, Md, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 1

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree