James Wark, pediatric neurologist at Cooper
Besides spending his career as a pediatric neurologist, James E. Wark often gave evenings to the Russian writers Anton Chekhov and Alexander Pushkin.
Besides spending his career as a pediatric neurologist, James E. Wark often gave evenings to the Russian writers Anton Chekhov and Alexander Pushkin.
Though their works are well known in English, his interest was in translating some of them from the Russian himself, said his wife, Soryl Angel.
Though he had visited Siberia on a brief medical assignment years ago, she said, Dr. Wark tutored himself in Russian vocabulary and grammar through evening classes at Main Line School Night.
"He was enwrapped with all things Russian," she said.
On Friday, July 8, Dr. Wark, 68, of Ardmore, a former head of what is now the pediatric neurology and development staff at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, died of multiple systems atrophy at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Rosalie Pressman had known Dr. Wark as a next-door neighbor for more than 20 years.
Dr. Wark, she said, had "an incredibly sweet nature, combined with an idiosyncratic sense of wonder at the world."
His interest in reading the authors in Russian, she said, showed "he was able to take something that most people would pass by, and find a profound interest in it."
Mrs. Pressman recalled that about 20 years ago a tree had fallen in the Wark and Pressman backyards, and after much of the tree was removed, friends showed up to clear away the remaining branches and twigs.
But a friend noted to her that Dr. Wark's pile was different from all the others.
"He had collected everything in a precise and perfect way. It was his way of dignifying things," she said.
Born in Ontario, Dr. Wark graduated from the former Port Dover Composite School and earned a bachelor's degree in science at the University of London, where he earned his medical degree.
Because the British system did not recognize his Canadian qualifications, his wife said, he repeated his education in Britain and did not start medical school until he was 31.
Dr. Wark returned to Canada in 1984, she said, to perform his pediatric residency at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.
After a time in pediatric neurology practice in Canada, Dr. Wark began his U.S. career in that specialty at 44, his wife said, at the Medical College of Pennsylvania.
After eight years there, she said, Dr. Wark was head of child neurology care at Cooper for 12 years, before retiring in October 2010.
While at Cooper, Dr. Wark was a board member for the New Jersey Rett Syndrome Association.
Besides his wife of 36 years, Dr. Wark is survived by son Aaron, daughter Emily, and two grandchildren.
A gathering was set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Conservatory at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.
Donations may be sent to the New Jersey Rett Syndrome Association at www.njrsa.org.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.westlaurelhill.com.
610-313-8134 @WNaedele