By Town Crier Report
Norman Sokoloff, distinguished orthopedic surgeon in the South Bay and 25-year resident of Los Altos Hills, died Oct. 29 from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 59.
Dr. Sokoloff practiced in Sunnyvale and at El Camino Hospital. He restored health and improved the quality of life for thousands of patients through his diagnosis, skilled surgery, sound advice and words of encouragement. During his successful career, Dr. Sokoloff received many accolades, including America’s Top Surgeons 2002 and 2003, and was among San Jose Magazine’s Best Doctors in Silicon Valley in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Dr. Sokoloff began his studies as one of 25 students in an innovative five-year combined undergraduate and medical school program at Jefferson Medical College and Penn State University. He served as a major in the U.S. Army Medical Corp at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was recognized with a Dedication to Others Award.
While in the army, Dr. Sokoloff learned to fly, passing his solo pilot and commercial pilot licensing exams. He felt free and relaxed in the sky, as it challenged his skills and intellect.
When Dr. Sokoloff was forced to retire from his practice because of his illness, he took the opportunity to gain a new area of expertise: bio-medical angel capital investing. He became an original member of Tenex Medical Inc., a venture capital investment organization where he was the chairman of the investment screening committee and a member of the executive committee.
Dr. Sokoloff was a true Renaissance man; he was involved in gourmet cooking, world travel and a host of outdoor activities.
He also possessed a sharp wit. During his battle with leukemia, Dr. Sokoloff shared his philosophy, which he called “Normisms,” with family and friends:
“Life is what it is. It cannot realistically be changed,” he said. “You cannot be young without scrapes. You cannot be old without wrinkles. What you can do is embrace the negatives as part of the same universe as the positives. You can also select behaviors that locate you in regions of more concentrated positivity.”
Dr. Sokoloff is survived by his wife of 38 years, his high school sweetheart, Ilene; Bret, his son, an orthopedic surgeon in Memphis, Tenn.; Cari, his daughter, an artist and founder of Soko in San Francisco; brother Joel of San Diego; sister, Wilma Steinberg of New Jersey; Lori, his daughter-in-law; and grandchildren Joshua, Jordan and Jamie of Memphis.
A memorial fund has been established at Jefferson Medical College, Suite 110, 925 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19107, for an annual award in Dr. Sokoloff’s name to a deserving student. Please indicate “In memory of Norman F. Sokoloff, MD.”
