Walter Richard Zolkiwsky
December 2, 1944 ~ July 10, 2017
Walter Richard. Zolkiwsky, M.D.
December 2, 1944-July 10, 2017
On Monday July 10, 2017, Walter Richard Zolkiwsky M.D. died from a recurrence of cancer at the Reston Hospital Center, Reston, Virginia from which he retired on April 15, 20 17. He is survived by his wife of 45 years. Laraine M. Zolkiwsky of Great Falls, VA., son Mark Andrew Zolkiwsky, daughter in law Erin E. Zolkiwsky, granddaughter Amelia Jane Zolkiwsky all of Tampa, FL, son Robert Michael Zolkiwsky of Falling Waters, WV, son Geoffrey Douglas Zolkiwsky of Tampa, FL, and beagle Jade Zolkiwsky of Great Falls, VA. His brother Donald J. Zolkiwsky of South Plainfield, NJ and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dr. Zolkiwsky who was known as Dr. Z or Z was born in Jersey City, NJ to Jon and Mildred Zolkiwsky. He was raised in Bayonne, NJ and was a graduate of Bayonne H.S., Seton Hall University and Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine. He did his internship and residency in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. After completing his residency, Dr. Z joined the Army Medical Corp where he and his wife were assigned to Fort A.P. Hill in Bowling Green, VA for four years before being transferred to the Pentagon Medical Clinic. In 1977 after eleven years in the Medical Corp, Dr. Z was honorably discharged with a rank of Major and he opened a private family medical practice in Sterling, VA.
Dr. Z was in private practice for over 20 years and during this period he became Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Reston Hospital, a position he held for over 10 years. In 2000, Dr. Z ended his practice and joined the staff at Reston Hospital Center and became the Chief Medical Officer a position he held until his retirement in 2017.
He and his family moved to Great Falls, VA in 1985 and joined St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church. Dr. Z enjoyed traveling, cruising, cooking, home improvement projects and taking yearly trips to Hilton Head, SC. He also was an avid car washer and could be found on most Saturdays out in front of his home washing cars.
Family will be receiving friends at Money and King Funeral Home in Vienna, VA on Sunday July 16th from 11am to 1pm and from 3pm to 5pm as well as on Monday July 17th from 6pm to 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday July 18th at 11am at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Great Falls, VA. Burial will follow at Andrew Chapel Cemetery in Vienna, VA and a luncheon will follow at Brix American Bistro in Great Falls. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be made in his name to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
December 2, 1944-July 10, 2017
On Monday July 10, 2017, Walter Richard Zolkiwsky M.D. died from a recurrence of cancer at the Reston Hospital Center, Reston, Virginia from which he retired on April 15, 20 17. He is survived by his wife of 45 years. Laraine M. Zolkiwsky of Great Falls, VA., son Mark Andrew Zolkiwsky, daughter in law Erin E. Zolkiwsky, granddaughter Amelia Jane Zolkiwsky all of Tampa, FL, son Robert Michael Zolkiwsky of Falling Waters, WV, son Geoffrey Douglas Zolkiwsky of Tampa, FL, and beagle Jade Zolkiwsky of Great Falls, VA. His brother Donald J. Zolkiwsky of South Plainfield, NJ and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dr. Zolkiwsky who was known as Dr. Z or Z was born in Jersey City, NJ to Jon and Mildred Zolkiwsky. He was raised in Bayonne, NJ and was a graduate of Bayonne H.S., Seton Hall University and Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine. He did his internship and residency in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. After completing his residency, Dr. Z joined the Army Medical Corp where he and his wife were assigned to Fort A.P. Hill in Bowling Green, VA for four years before being transferred to the Pentagon Medical Clinic. In 1977 after eleven years in the Medical Corp, Dr. Z was honorably discharged with a rank of Major and he opened a private family medical practice in Sterling, VA.
Dr. Z was in private practice for over 20 years and during this period he became Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Reston Hospital, a position he held for over 10 years. In 2000, Dr. Z ended his practice and joined the staff at Reston Hospital Center and became the Chief Medical Officer a position he held until his retirement in 2017.
He and his family moved to Great Falls, VA in 1985 and joined St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church. Dr. Z enjoyed traveling, cruising, cooking, home improvement projects and taking yearly trips to Hilton Head, SC. He also was an avid car washer and could be found on most Saturdays out in front of his home washing cars.
Family will be receiving friends at Money and King Funeral Home in Vienna, VA on Sunday July 16th from 11am to 1pm and from 3pm to 5pm as well as on Monday July 17th from 6pm to 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday July 18th at 11am at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Great Falls, VA. Burial will follow at Andrew Chapel Cemetery in Vienna, VA and a luncheon will follow at Brix American Bistro in Great Falls. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be made in his name to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Laraine, Mark, Robert and Goeffrey- While there are no words to soften your loss, the love, respect and admiration Dr. Z received from the countless number of people he touched over the years must be of great solace to your family. I loved his beautiful soul and caring friendship and am comforted by the fact that he lived by his faith until his last breath. May he rest in peace.
I practiced as a pediatric cardiologist in Fairfax for decades. Dr. Zolkiwsky referred many patients for evaluation. I was always impressed that his clinical impression was right on the mark. It was clear that he was an excellent family practitioner who served his patients well. His memory should stand as an example for those who follow in his footsteps in serving the people of Northern Virginia, He will be missed.
I was stationed at Ft. A.P. Hill as the range officer during the time of Dr. Z’s time there. His professionalism helping me personally and the work he performed for the Army was outstanding. I remember he was a valued part of the post’s mission. We used to joke about the TV series MASH. Dr. Z was dedicated and well thought of by everyone he interacted with, whether medically or socially. May Laraine and the family be comforted to know that many good memories abound about Dr. Z and his life. Thoughts and prayers with you all.
Dr.Z was my Dr growing up in Sterling. He was a wonderful man and a great friend to my Family. He always treated me with a smile. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dr Z was my doctor in for several years in Sterling when I was a child. Such a nice man. He will be missed.
I was so sorry to hear this. I have not seen Dr. Z since moving to Florida in 2004 yet I have thought of him many times since then. He was our family physician for years and I also had the pleasure of knowing him in a professional capacity as well. As hospital CMO he helped make change for the better. He will be greatly missed. So very sorry for your lost…
Dr Z was my doctor for mant years in Sterling when I was a kid. Such a nice man. He will be missed.
It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Z at Reston Hospital. He will be greatly missed by all the lives he touched in so many ways.
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Z at Reston Hospital Center as an administrative resident. While I only worked with him for 12 months, he left a lasting impact on me that will last a lifetime. He was so caring and supportive and went out of his way to teach people new things. He was an amazing man and will be greatly missed.
No one who was ever cared for or worked with Dr. Z. will ever forget him: his dedication to his profession which included not only his patients, but all those under his wings at Reston Hospital Center; his compassion; his calm, supportive manner; his sense of humor his common sense and ability to understand a situation instantly with a spot-on assessment….I will always have a soft spot in my heart and fond memories of him. Offering my deepest sympathy to his wife, and family…what a horrendous loss to endure….wishing you peace in the knowledge you are not alone.
Dr Z was our family doctor and the best! We will never forget him and his compassion for his patients and dedication to his profession .
My deepest condolences go out to you, the family and friends. I worked with Dr Z @ RHC. It was a pleasure knowing him. He was a wonderful person. He always made me laugh.
He was a wonderful leader, mentor , patient advocate, and so supportive of hiis staff. He will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss. This is a great loss to the Reston hospital community!
I’ll miss you Dr. Z. You were always there for us and helped me through some tough times. May GOD BLESS YOU
So sorry to hear of Dr. Z’s passing. Very great doctor and one of the doctors from my youth who I looked back on to help develop my approach to patients. His care played a significant role in my image of what it means to be a doctor and why I went into primary care myself.
We will all miss you Dr. Z. Our prayers and love are with the family. He was a great doctor, but more importantly he was a wonderful friend.
Heart felt condolences on the loss of this wonderful man. He was a great Doctor, a teacher, and mentor. He was a smart, kind ,and loving man. A true gentleman. It was truely a pleasure to call him a friend and he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Prince Z……..
I feel honored to have known and worked with such a wonderful, kind and caring soul as you, Dr. Z. I enjoyed your stories of your career and of course the fond sharing of your family trips and family pictures you proudly displayed. You were one of a kind and will be greatly missed by all.
Dr. Z was our family doctor for many years and we cannot thank him enough for his expert medical care and sensitivity and wonderful humor. Our sympathy to his family . Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest in peace Dr. Z and thank you. Bill and Rosemarie Rodriguez
Laraine- I hope you remember me. I am the Ob-Gyn across the hall from Dr. Z’s old office in suite 214 and was a patient of Dr. Z for many years. I hope you remember our Christmas lunches at Serbian Crown.
Just got back in the country and am saddened to learn that Walter succumbed t to his disease that we had discussed together. I will always remember Walter for his delightful sense of humor and dedication to patients and family. He was universally loved and respected, and will be sorely missed. My life will have less joy now that Walter is gone.
Howard Cohn (MD)
I had the honor of working closely with Dr. Zolkiwsky at Spotsylvania Medical Center. He was a noble man and a good human, very sincere and caring. May God Bless his soul and memory, I think of him as a role model often. Rest in Peace.
Rezhan Hussein