The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Dr. Robert J. Wysocki Inducted 2006 - Class of 1944
Dr. Robert John Wysocki was born and raised on Elm Street in North Toledo just blocks away from where he would eventually open his own Podiatry practice. His business would remain on Lagrange Street for the next 41 years. While families and businesses fled for the suburbs, Dr. Wysocki would continue to contribute his time, talents, and treasures to his native North Toledo until his death in 1993.
Bobby graduated from St. Adalbert elementary school in 1940 and Woodward High School in 1944. During Bobby's high school years, some of his best friends were Norb Nadrasik (1944), Norm Sobecki (1946), John Payak (1944), Don Leopold (1945), Conrad Korecki (1946), and John Powell Jr. (1942). Bobby was a member of the Woodward golf and bowling teams. As a member of Woodward High School's "American" Bowling Team, he led the City League with a 194 average setting a new city record. At age 14, he won the Mercury Sweepstakes, a tournament consisting mostly of adults. At age 16, he was the captain of the youngest team to bowl in the American Bowling Congress
National Tournament, also against adult competition. He was crowned the Toledo City All-Events Champion three times (1944, 1947, and 1950) and the Toledo City Doubles Champion (1947) while maintaining a 200 plus average in two All-Star leagues. In 1980, he received local bowling's highest honor by being inducted into the Toledo Bowling Association's Hall of Fame in the Performance Category.
After graduating from Woodward High School, Bob served his country as a sailor in the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of his duty, he returned to college to continue his studies in pre-med, and received a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree in 1952 from the Ohio College of Chiropody. He served as president of his 1952 class and president of Student Council. In September of 1959, Bob married Romaine Elyse Sitter of Toledo. Bob and Romaine had two daughters, Marsha Lynn born in 1952 and Marla Kay born in 1959.
Dr. Bob, as he was affectionately addressed by his patients, achieved numerous professional accomplishments throughout his career. In addition to his podiatry license, he would also receive certifications in foot surgery and acupuncture, as well as a Master's Degree in graphoanalysis. In 1980, he became only the 86th podiatrist in the U.S. to be recognized as a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Ambulatory Podiatric Surgeons. Bob became a nationally recognized lecturer, and spoke to many groups, including the American Podiatric Association Convention, the New Jersey Foot Specialists' Convention, the Diabetic League of Toledo, and the Exchange Club of North Toledo. In 1982, Dr. Wysocki was appointed to the teaching faculty in Continuing Education of Ambulatory Foot Surgeons. In 1985, he was voted "Man of the Year" by the Big Ten Club of Podiatry and he received an Award of Merit from the New Jersey Education in Podiatry for his scientific contribution to the podiatry profession. He also received awards from podiatry associations in Ohio, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kentucky. Bob was a member of the American Academy of Sports Medicine, a Fellow of the American Academy of Practice Management, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ambulatory Foot Surgery.
Doc Wysocki was passionate about his profession and his community. He had a strong desire to continue learning and an even stronger desire to share his knowledge with others. He took care of those in need, never hesitated to make a house call, or to overlook a past due account. He especially looked out for the Sisters of St. Hedwig and St. Adalbert parishes, many of whom could not afford professional foot care.
Though it would have been convenient to move his podiatry practice closer to his residence in Maumee, he did not want to abandon his long-time North Toledo clients. North Toledo was where he was born, where he was raised, and where he would commit his entire professional life.