In Memoriam: Dr. Gerald N. Wachs
SABR member Gerald N. “Jerry” Wachs, M.D. died on November 8, 2013, in New York, at age 76. He was an active member of the Elysian Fields Chapter in Northern New Jersey and a SABR member since 1986.
Jerry had many accomplishments in his life, but none more important than his four children. He was the unabashedly proud and supremely loving father to his four children with Glorya: Sharon (Andy), Joel, Deborah (Andrew), and Judith (Elie). He was also the treasured grandfather to six beautiful grandchildren and the loving brother of Robert.
In his nearly 20 years at Schering (now Merck) as a senior associate medical director, Dr. Wachs was responsible for the FDA’s approval of over 20 new drug applications. Subsequently, he ran an innovative dermatology and cosmetic surgery practice for 18 years in Millburn and Summit, N.J., and was a past president of the New Jersey Dermatological Society.
Jerry was extremely civic minded, serving for seven years on the Millburn Board of Education and as president of the Millburn Board of Health. He was also an avid collector who was most proud of his 19th-century first-edition English poetry collection. Another of his collections led him to become a published author in 2012, co-writing the standard bibliography for Tom Stoppard.
Jerry was also a life master in bridge and an invested member of the Sherlock Holmes society, the Baker Street Irregulars. He was the constant companion of Gail Postal for the past 19 years. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A memorial will be held on Nov. 29. Details are at www.riversidememorialchapel.com.
Originally published: November 11, 2013. Last Updated: November 11, 2013.