Howard Jay Schlansky, adored husband, father, poppy, brother, uncle, pediatrician and friend to many, died unexpectedly Wednesday, February 28. He was 69 years old.
Howard was born and raised in St. Louis, the middle son of Siril and Seymour Schlansky. After graduating from Parkway Central High School, he was admitted to the first class of UMKC’s six-year medical school program. He completed a residency in pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital where he spotted a beautiful social work practicum student and asked a mutual friend to introduce them. That student, Carol Rubin, became the love of his life. The two would be celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary this week.
Howard was skilled in both medicine and business, and approached his practice with the mind of an entrepreneur. Upon completing his residency, he saw an opportunity to meet needs in a rapidly developing area of St. Charles County. He turned down an offer to join his father’s medical practice in St. Louis, and opened a pediatric clinic, strategically placed next to an obstetrician’s office, and near fast food restaurants and churches, which he saw as signs of a burgeoning community. Howard was a beloved pediatrician to generations of patients at Saint Charles County Pediatrics, which he operated for more than 30 years. He ultimately developed a medical complex around that clinic to provide a breadth of services for patients in the area.
In 2012, he became the Medical Director of Pediatrics at Mercy. In that role, he continued to innovate, and was particularly proud to have created the first ADA accessible playground in St. Charles County. He also was a contributing columnist for the Healthy Kids column in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and a camp doctor at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute.
Howard was an avid gardener, bird watcher and baseball fanatic. He cheered passionately for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cape Cod league teams and any minor league team he could fit into a road trip. He was an ice cream connoisseur, hiker, skier, camper and frequent visitor to home-improvement stores. He enjoyed long family strolls on the beach and walks around the neighborhood with his beloved goldendoodle Riley.
Howard served the community on the boards of Make-a-Wish Foundation and Congregation Temple Israel. He was a docent for the St. Louis Aquarium, and volunteered regularly at Hillel and Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, where his grandchildren are students.
Above all else, Howard loved doting on his wife, children and grandchildren, and was the ultimate handyman, protector and cheerleader for each of them.
In addition to his wife Carol, Howard is survived by his daughters Rebecca Rubin-Schlansky (Mike Vredenburgh) and Hannah Rubin-Schlansky (Rabbi Andrew Terkel); grandchildren Ada and Celia Vredenburgh, and Avi and Micah Terkel; brothers Arnold (Bonnie) of Florida and Steve (Mindy) of St. Louis; siblings-in-law Amy Rubin Schottland (Dr. Paul Schottland) of New Jersey and Dr. David Rubin of New York; and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held Sunday, March 3 at 1 p.m. at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road, 63141. Interment will follow at New Mount Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Road, 63123.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, 348 S. Mason Road, St. Louis, MO 63141, or the organization of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
