As a doctor with specialties in general surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery, Dr. Robert B. Ronkin used his extensive skills and knowledge to bridge the gap from dentistry to medical management.
“The biggest thing was his skills as both a general surgeon and an oral surgeon allowed him to be such an advocate for oral surgeons and the patient,” said Dr. Tony Dohse, an oral surgeon and friend. “He had a way of using his vast knowledge for the patient, and it was a great avenue to be able to manage a patient together.”
And even on some of the most difficult cases, Dr. Ronkin’s positive attitude provided another comfort level for patients.
“He came across enthusiastic and was always upbeat, positive and had a great attitude,” said Dr. Connie Parker, vice president of medical affairs at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. “He treated patients with difficult problems and … he had this great joy of life, and that transcended through as a physician.”
Dr. Ronkin, 64, of Winfield died Friday, May 26, of colon cancer in his home.
Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Ronkin was influenced as a young man by his uncle who had a dental practice in that city. After Dr. Ronkin completed his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland, he graduated in 1968 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He went on to complete his internship in oral surgery at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.
For four years, he practiced with his uncle until he decided to pursue a medical degree.
In 1972 he came to Chicago to follow that dream when he was accepted at the University of Illinois at Chicago as a James Scholar in Independent Study, a program designed for individuals who already have a doctoral degree.
“So he basically went through medical school independently,” said his wife, Susan Dyer.
His residency in general surgery was completed at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center.
In order to work and go to school, Dr. Ronkin adjusted his hours and started a practice in Wheaton that was open evenings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Even after he graduated from medical school as a general surgeon in 1982, he continued his oral surgery practice with the same hours because it had become so successful.
“I’ve never run into anyone with that double specialty,” said his friend Dr. Scott Kolbaba of the Central DuPage Physicians Group. “He was a well-known surgeon and oral surgeon. He was very much talented at it.”
Dr. Ronkin was on staff at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, where he served as a past chairman of the department of surgery and in 1996 was named medical director of surgical services. He retired from that post in 2004 shortly before his cancer was diagnosed.
“He loved being a leader and working with the doctors and his colleagues. He would never ask anybody to do something that he wouldn’t do himself. I think that is what made him such a tremendous leader,” said his wife.
He was also on staff at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove and at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital.
“He was a good trauma surgeon. That requires quick assessment and the ability to understand what you need to do quickly, and he understood what needed to be done,” said Parker.
Over the years, Dr. Ronkin developed an expertise in facial trauma and head and neck cancer, said his wife.
“And he has been a solo practitioner for almost all of his years in practice. He was on call 24/7, 365 [days a year],” said his wife. The couple were together for 20 years before they married in 2005.
Other survivors include his two daughters from a previous marriage, Kim Casey and Keri Werner; a sister, Nancy Boyar; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Cantigny Golf Club, 27W270 Mack Rd., Winfield, followed by a 7:30 p.m. service.
