Ray Charles Wunderlich

Ray Charles Wunderlich Jr., MD, PhD, was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. He was the son of Dr. Ray Charles Wunderlich Sr., who practiced osteopathic medicine in St Petersburg from 1925 until his death in 1960. Many of the methods Ray Jr. used to heal others were learned from his father. Ray Sr. was a "10 fingered" practitioner who spent long hours with each patient in order to get to know them thoroughly and to understand the genesis of their disease. Ray's mother, Myrtle Parr Wunderlich, was from Baltimore and lived in St. Petersburg where she was children's librarian at Mirror Lake Public library. She was a graduate of Enoch Pratt School of Library Sciences and an early member of the St. Petersburg Friends of the Library. Ray's older sister, Marjorie Ruth Wunderlich Saltsman, helped raise him while both parents worked. Margie doted on him as a child, was a lively and socially active personality, and the two of them remained close throughout their lives. Ray was born on Tifton Street in Gulfport, and rode the streetcars as a child. One of his most vivid memories was celebrating VJ Day on Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg. Ray attended Forest Hills Elementary School and Disston Junior High School. He was very active in singing and harmonica, and performed with Joe Lefter's band. He sang solos on the bandstand in downtown St. Petersburg in Williams Park, and performed in many plays at school, at the Women's Club on Snell Isle, and the Florence Crittendon Home. He also played handball, using the concrete walls of Disston for many spirited contests. At that time, many classes were taught outdoors in the forested areas adjoining Disston (no air-conditioning!). Adroit in his practice of oratory, Ray won many speech-giving performances. At St. Petersburg Senior High School, Ray prefaced his later study and teaching of Latin by leading the Latin Club and its Roman banquets. He was one of the first male cheerleaders at SPHS, a part of many contests held at the downtown YMCA, and a champion ping pong player at the Y. At SPHS, Ray pursued his literary interests as editor of the school newspaper, "The Palmetto and Pine". At the University of Florida from 1947 to 1951, he completed his 4 year premedical studies. Margie's husband, George Saltsman, arranged summer employment for Ray in Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. These memorable summer experiences, especially at the Belmont Inn in West Harwich, allowed him to experience life beyond Florida for the first time. During that time, following the Second World War, many veterans returned to the University for schooling. The "green" Ray was thrown together in residences, barracks, and classes with those older, seasoned "shell-shocked" men. He competed with them to get into top medical schools. Ray was accepted at several schools and finally settled on Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. In September, 1951 he moved to the "Big Apple!" Family friend Dr. Arthur S. Otis, a phenomenal Stanford based psychologist and author of the wide battery of Otis Intelligence Tests (still in use today), funded Ray's entire medical education. At Columbia he met head neurological nurse and future wife, Elinor Howell. In New York City, Ray and Elinor became enamored with the world of classical ballet performance and the Metropolitan Opera. They attended ballet performances of the New York City ballet and other troupes on most weekends. Maria Tallchief, Nicholas Magallanes, Jacques D'amboise, Andre Eglevsky, Patricia McBride, and Alicia Alonso became their favorite performers. George Balanchine's heyday was in stellar progress. Ray and Elinor's membership in a ballet club permitted them to rub shoulders with these celebrities from time to time. (Furthermore, Ray toyed with the Terpsichorean Art by having a few ballet lessons himself.) The glorious years in New York City were crowned by his marriage to the red haired, astute Elinor Howell on May 29, 1954. They lived together in an apartment close to the Medical Center. After graduation a year or so later, it was on to internship and residency training in Rochester, NY. First-born Mary Palliser Wunderlich Faurot was born there. Ray entered the United States Air Force as Captain in the Medical Corp at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL. While serving there, second-born Janet Ruth Wunderlich Matthews arrived. The family returned to Rochester, NY where Ray served as chief resident in Pediatrics at Strong Memorial Hospital, where the third child was born: Ray Charles Wunderlich III. Back in St. Petersburg, their fourth and final child was born: David Arthur Wunderlich. The Wunderlichs settled in Lakewood, then built the family home in the pink streets on Serpentine Drive. Ray and Elinor created a thriving pediatric practice at Suncoast Medical Clinic, focusing on children's developmental issues. Ray was an early board member for PARC, where he created modalities for treating developmentally disabled children. He authored "Kids Brains and Learning", and "Allergy Brains and Children Coping" during this phase of his career. Recognizing the importance of exercise, tennis and running became lifelong passions for the whole family. Ray competed successfully in distance running over the decades to follow including marathons and mini marathons around Florida. He considered running and exercise in general, not only as sport and fitness activities, but as forms of preventive medicine that would keep him vibrant. Later, Ray became a courageous pioneer of nutritional medicine, a pursuit that unlocked the doors of healing and quality of life for so many. He professed: "A basic foundation for wellness is seen as an amalgamation of sound thinking, nutritional optimization, avoidance and elimination of toxins, appropriate exercise, healthy digestion, balanced passions, mental challenge, and spirituality." During this phase of his career, he continued to be a prolific author, writing: "Sugar and Your Health", "Fatigue", "Nourishing Your Child" and "The Real Doctor" series. In 2000, the death of Ray's beloved wife, Elinor, steered him toward a devotion not only to the health and well-being of others with his medical practice, but also to the study of English literature and the Latin language. Ever seeking an intellectual challenge, Ray began a PHD program at USF, simultaneous to his ongoing medical practice. He became a passionate student and teacher of Latin. He authored many articles on English literature, and did his PhD thesis (2002) on the 19th century literary critic George Darley. First-born Mary remains a biologist and federal land manager in McCall, Idaho. She is the parent of two happy and successful adult fish and wildlife professionals. Janet is the proud parent of two beautiful teenage daughters, and has managed several types of businesses including Ray's medical office. She and her family provided support, companionship and guidance for Ray as his life continued without Elinor. Ray III supported his father with his business, Superior Nutritionals, and served as a complement to Ray's medical practice. He is a master of environmental concern and activism for the health of our planet and its citizens, having received awards for his ideas and actions. David, in Chevy Chase Maryland, is a successful businessman in the area of home furnishings, and the Board president of the National Chamber Ensemble in Washington D.C. He is a superb parent and educator of his young fraternal-twins. Special thanks goes out to Ray's friend and caregiver, Marlon Manalastas, who developed an intimate and mutually beneficial relationship in the final years of Ray's life. Marlon brought him happiness and dignity throughout his illness. The family is indebted to him. The family will hold a celebration of Ray's life May 7, 2014 at Pioneer settlement at Boyd Hill Preserve, 2900 1st St. So., Gate 1, St. Petersburg (informal attire). Donations can be made in Ray Wunderlich's name to Friends of Main Library-St. Petersburg Public Library. www.splibraries.org/FOL_Main.htm.