Robert Frank Porges ’52

Robert Frank Porges ’52, M.D., died peacefully at home on November 1, 2012. He was born in Vienna, Austria, on September 11, 1930, and he emigrated from there to America with his family in 1938. Robert’s passions included tennis, medicine and family. His interest in tennis began at Forest Hills, New York, high school, where he was a member of an impressive team, and it continued throughout his life. Bob attended Dartmouth for three years and then transferred to the State University of New York Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn, New York, to complete his education. Following an internship at Beth Israel, he completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In 1960 he entered the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas. After the service he returned to New York City and joined the NYU Langone Medical Center (which includes Bellevue Hospital), where he served for more than 50 years as teacher, surgeon and administrator. He served as acting chairman for almost 10 years. In 2003 Robert was given the Distinguished Surgeons Award by the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. At NYU he met his future wife, Felicia Axelrod, a budding medical student. After their marriage she continued her education and became a professor of pediatrics at NYU Medical Center. His wife, children John and Vicki, their respective spouses and four grandchildren survive him. Bob was an active and generous Dartmouth alumnus and enjoyed his 60th reunion in Hanover this past June.