David Aaron Soskis

David Aaron Soskis passed away on October 29^th, surrounded by family at his home in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Soskis was born in Brooklyn, and graduated from Amherst College and the Yale School of Medicine. He served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy, stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital from 1972 to 1974 and taught psychiatry and psychotherapy at several hospitals in Philadelphia and at The Ohio State University. He authored books on self-hypnosis and on the victims of terrorism and worked with the FBI to form its first psychological services program. Soskis was a man of many interests: a clown and skilled magician who frequently performed at charity events (and formed a group with his two sons as the Magic Men); a collector of old watches, pens and cameras; a published poet many times over; a champion breeder of birds; a fly-fisherman and certified scuba diver; and a nature photographer. He loved the idea of wombats, Drakes cakes for breakfast, Stalag 17, and Jewish humor. He took service to his community seriously but didn’t take himself too seriously. He was a good person and lived a wonderful life. He is survived by his wife, Carole, his sons, Benjamin and Michael, his daughters-in-law Rebecca and Alyssa, and his granddaughters, Mira, Daphna, and Clara, and his cat, Max. Shiva will be observed at the Soskis residence through Wednesday. Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.