Obituary of Richard M Sostowski

Richard Mark Sostowski, 70, of Bernardsville, NJ passed away on October 8, 2017 at Morristown Medical Center. Loving father, grandfather, friend, and physician, Rich passed after a short battle with brain cancer, which he approached with the same dignity, intelligence, and love that characterized his entire life. Born in Peckville, PA to Henry and Josephine Szostowski (Zwicharowski) on October 1, 1947, Rich was raised in Belleville, NJ. The son of a Pennsylvania coal miner, he graduated from Essex Catholic High School and St. Peter's College. He was the first in his family to attend college. Rich went on to earn an MD from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and completed his psychiatric residency at New York University-Bellevue Hospital Center and his psychoanalytic training at the William Alanson White Psychoanalytic Institute. He was a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. During his 40 plus year career as a psychiatrist, Rich combined his love for patient care and teaching. He served as Chairman of Psychiatry at Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, and as a clinical associate professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ. He maintained a private and forensic practice up until the time of his diagnosis, and also served as a consulting psychiatrist to Sunrise House in Lafayette. He was a faithful father, a devoted doctor and a loyal friend. And he was cool. Bob Dylan was his muse, and Ted Williams was his idol. His life was a quixotic search for the perfect hot dog and the best grilled burger. In his spare time, Rich listened to an eclectic variety of music, preferably enjoyed with a good scotch or beer. He was a voracious reader, and loved skiing, kayaking, walking and playing with his dogs, Pumpkin, Wellesley and Vail. A lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, sadly, he never made it to Lambeau Field, but the fans in the stadium could hear his shouts at the TV all the way back in NJ. Rich is survived by his daughters Kristin Sostowski (Stephen Herbes) of Mendham and Aimee Sostowski (Dominik Zurakowski) of Summit. He is also survived by his former spouse, Patricia Duncan, of Bernardsville. Rich was the beloved "Grampy" to granddaughters Catherine, Madeline, Sophie, and Emilia, who will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents. Viewing will be held at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at the Church of Christ the King, 16 Blue Mill Road, New Vernon, NJ on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, 10:00am with Fr. Brian Sullivan officiating. For further information, or to light an online condolence candle for the family please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Peter's University or the Alison Aldredge Fund for Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome at the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Morristown Medical Center who cared for Rich during his illness, particularly the staff of Simon 5 and 3.»(Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered before this line)