Obituary of S. -Russell Wilson

WILSON, S. RUSSELL, 79 Miami, FL - Dr. Santford Russell Wilson Jr. PhD; MD was born March 23, 1927 in Miami, Florida and died at the age of 79 at 10:00 pm on March 19, 2007 at Palm Beach Gardens Hospital in Palm Gardens, Florida from complications following a heart attack. As a child, he lived and grew up on 14th street in Miami with parents Santford Russell Wilson Sr., Mabel Hartley Wilson and his sister Gloria Wilson Bardelang. Dr Wilson attended and graduated from Miami Senior High School. He continued his education at the University of Florida obtaining his undergraduate degree, majoring in Pre-med, in 1948; his Masters in 1955, his Doctor of Philosophy in 1957; his Doctor of Medicine in 1960; and his Doctor of Neurology in 1964. Throughout his college years, Russell had a number of scholastic accomplishments. He graduated with honors for his undergraduate studies in Pre-Med. His Masters and Doctor of Philosophy were in psychology. During these graduate school studies the University of Florida sent him to Harvard to study under Dr. B.F. Skinner at the school of psychology. Dr. B. F. Skinner was a pioneer in developing the study of behaviorism. Russell also entered the University of Florida's Medical school as part of the first class. The medical school opened in 1956. During this time period the graduate schools and medical schools were run as separate institutions. So for Russell to obtain his PhD in 1957 he had to drop out of medical school during the summer break and write his dissertation. Once completed with his dissertation and receiving his PhD he re-entered medical school and continued as part of the first class. Upon completion of the first year of medical school Russell was awarded as being the number one student in his class. He graduated from medical school as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha This is the honor society in medical school, recognizing the top 10% of each class for their scholastic achievements. As a reward for being first in his class he was allowed to represent his medical school class during the admission of the first patient in Shands teaching hospital, the name of Florida's medical school. Russell was also one of the first or the first Neurologist to graduate from Florida's medical school. He would have been the first individual to have received all his degrees (Bachelor's, Masters; PhD; and MD) from the University of Florida. During his graduate studies he lived in student married housing with his first wife Mildred P. Wilson and his two sons Santford Russell Wilson III and Thomas E. Wilson. Dr. Wilson was a corman during World War II. He was stationed in San Diego during the war. Because of his military service he was one of the older medical students in his class. Upon completion of his academic studies he set up his neurological practice in Gainesville, Florida for one year. After this first year he divorced his first wife and moved his practice to West Palm Beach in 1965. Dr. Wilson was the first practicing Neurologist in Palm Beach County. Russell joined the Neurosurgical practice of Cooney, Gould, Hayslip and Holly in 1965. Dr. Wilson founded the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for Palm Beach County and was its director for 40 years. Dr. Wilson was one of the founders of the Southern Clinical Neurological Society (SCNS). The SCNS presents annual scientific meetings for neurologists and related health professionals on selected topics which are chosen for their relevance to clinical practice. Dr. Wilson brought the first EEG machine into Palm Beach County upon his arrival and setting up his medical practice. This EEG machine was donated to St. Mary's Hospital. During these early years Russell and Dr Steve Schaivitz (the second neurologist in Palm Beach County) worked many long hours. For several years they would alternate weekend call and emergency room duties. Russell was born to be a doctor. It was his one true love in his life to which he was dedicated too until his passing this week. It was not uncommon for him to have had patients for 40 years. Dr. Wilson is survived by: his son Santford Russell (Sandy) Wilson III his wife Mauri and their two children Jennifer (Jenna) and Alex of Melbourne Beach; Thomas E. Wilson of Atlanta and long time companion Anita Parsons from Jupiter, Florida; Brother-in Law Johnny Bardelang and his son Bart from Miami Spring, Miami. Taylor and Modeen Funeral Home, 250 Center Street, Jupiter, Florida; will be handling the arrangements. Visitation will take place on Saturday the 24th of March from 12 (noon) to 3 PM. A short memorial service will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in memory of Dr. S. Russell Wilson.