Dr. Leonard Harold Plotkin
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Leonard Harold "Bob" Plotkin, M.D. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Bob was born in Hartford, CT to William and Sophie Plotkin on October 16, 1923 and grew up in Springfield, MA, graduating from Classical High School and then serving in the Army Air Force during WWII. Upon his return from military service, he graduated from American International College with honors and was the president of Phi Sigma Phi and Alpha Chi honor fraternities. While at AIC he was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges. He graduated from the Medical School of Tufts College in 1954, where he won the Mosby scholarship and was a member Phi Lambda Kappa medical fraternity. He spent his internship and residencies at Massachusetts General Hospital and Children's Medical Center in Boston, and was appointed a teaching fellow at Harvard Medical School. Bob returned to the Springfield area in 1957 where he founded his own practice, which became Pioneer Valley Pediatrics in Longmeadow, MA. He happily cared for thousands of patients until his retirement in 2008 and was also on staff/affiliated at Springfield Hospital/Baystate Medical Center during his time in practice. Not only a fine physician and practitioner, Bob was also a trusted and beloved cornerstone to his patients, their families and his colleagues. He served in numerous community and volunteer positions throughout his career and was a mentor to many. Bob enjoyed 65 years of wedded life to Adrienne (Scharaga) Plotkin who predeceased him in 2018. Together they built an active and fulfilling life and created a close-knit family. Bob leaves five children; Richard (Patricia Sweeney) Plotkin, Susan Dellheim (David Huntoon), Michael (Tammy) Plotkin, Lisa (Laurence) Meskin, and David (Maya Khuri) Plotkin. Daughter Nancy predeceased him in 1960. He leaves 10 grandchildren; Jeffrey Plotkin, Zachary (Michelle) Dellheim, Avery (Colby) Aiken, Sadie Plotkin, Zoe Plotkin, Jarret Meskin, Carly Meskin, Malek Plotkin, Sena Plotkin and Zaid Plotkin. He also leaves the most recent addition to his family, great-granddaughter Lucy Adrienne Aiken. He and Adrienne enjoyed countless, decades-long friendships made in Boston, Longmeadow, Connecticut and in travels throughout the world. He will be remembered for his always sunny and optimistic disposition, his warm smile, kind words, vast intellect and great sense of humor. His life was focused on a positive outlook and meaningful contributions. All those who had the pleasure to know him will remember him as a compassionate, warm, and very special individual who was generous with his spirit, time and attention. Bob was a man who was always actively engaged in the art of living, making the most of every day. His many interests included art, music, nature, and photography to name only a few. He was a prolific reader and student throughout his life, attending lectures and taking classes constantly. He loved the outdoors and always enjoyed hiking, running, tennis, paddleball, cross-country skiing, biking and the gym at the JCC. Downhill skiing was by far his life's passion, from which he retired at the age of 91. He was also a lifelong, faithful Red Sox fan, wearing his team hat almost everywhere he went. He was a dedicated family man who gifted his wife and children with a secure, meaningful and fun family life and in return he was dearly loved, respected and admired. He leaves his family, friends and acquaintances with special and happy memories. Bob will be inscribed in the Book of Life as one of the finest persons there ever was, having blessed countless others with his beautiful presence. He will be dearly missed by everyone he touched in his 97 productive years, and never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to a preferred charity.