Obituary of Alfred A. Siss, MD

Dr. Alfred Siss, 96, of Wyckoff, died on September 23, 2015. Dr. Siss was born on October 8, 1918 to a young German immigrant couple, August and Augusta Siss. His parents were bakery owners in Paterson. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Central High School. After graduation from New York University as a Phi Beta Kappa scholar, he attended NYU School of Medicine, graduating in 1943. He immediately started his internship at Paterson General Hospital, and had a whirlwind romance and marriage to a student nurse Anna Mae Korzinek in 1944. His internship was interrupted by WWII, at which time he entered the US Naval Medical Corps and participated in the Normandy/Omaha Beach landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944; he served in the Medical Corps for 3 years. In his more than 50 year career, he retired in 1996 at age 78, he practiced both obstetrics and pediatrics in Prospect Park. He lovingly cared for thousands of expectant mothers and children and their families. After 25 years of practice, halfway through his career, his patients and friends honored him with a testimonial dinner attended by more than 700 people. He was a hugely popular physician working in a single practice with the same nurse, Doris Lucas, making house calls and delivering babies at all hours of the night. His waiting room was extremely busy, because he always had time to listen to and advise worried parents. Dr. Siss was a member of the pediatric staff at Paterson General Hospital/Wayne General Hospital, acting as Chief of Pediatrics, President of the Associate Staff, and Secretary to the Medical Board. He participated in the H.E.A.L. clinic at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was a physician to the Paterson Orphanage, Bethany Christian Home, and Florence Christian Home, Medical Advisor to the Board of Health in Prospect Park, Chairman of the first Poison Control Center in Passaic County, Medical Director of Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat, and school physician for the Prospect Park , North Haledon, and Eastern Christian school systems. Dr. Siss was a devout Lutheran and active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran, Bethlehem Lutheran, and most recently Advent Lutheran Church. He was an extremely intelligent man, and he loved to teach and learn. His favorite advice to his children was “Go read a book”. He loved to swim, could bake an apple pie, read voraciously, and enjoyed food and travel. But above all, he loved his family and friends. He and his beloved wife of 67 years, Anna Mae, were a devoted couple, who always had a houseful of people and a wonderful circle of friends. They were exceptional parents and adoring grandparents, never missing a sporting event or school play; always there to support and console, always there to teach and advise. Dr. Siss was a one of a kind professional, and a loving, gentle, kind-hearted, and generous human being who will be missed by many. He will always be remembered with deep affection and love by his grandchildren as “Pops.” Dr. Siss was predeceased by his wife Anna Mae, daughter Marianne, and brothers William and Richard. He is survived by his sons Alfred Jr. (Merry) of Hoboken, Eric (Cara) of Santa Monica, Ca, daughter Christine Keeler (John) of Wyckoff, grandchildren William Siss (Maddie), Emily Smolin (David), Greta Buerkle (Jason), Ingrid Siss-Feliciano (Stefany), Gretchen Siss, John Keeler Jr., Anne Keeler, and great-grandchildren Jason, Ella Mae, Charlotte, Eli, Elsa and Rio. Visitation with the family for all that knew him will be on Saturday, October 10 at 10am at Advent Lutheran Church, 777 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, followed by a memorial service at 11am. Arrangements by Vander Plaat Funeral Home, Wyckoff.