Dr. Verlynne Volin, 82, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2000 at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, 8 children and 23 grandchildren.

He was born on October 15, 1917. The son of a doctor, he acquired a lifelong love of the medical profession. It was his passion and his calling!

A graduate of South Dakota State University, he attended Northwestern University and the USD Medical School before receiving an M.D. from the University of Vermont in 1943. Following an internship and residency in Detroit, he served in the U.S. Army during WW II.

He was an active member of the community, serving on the board for O’Gorman High School, the Sioux Falls Community Playhouse, United Way and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He was a lay minister at St. Mary Catholic Church and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He also remained active at SDSU throughout his life.

In 1988, Dr. Volin was named the South Dakota Family Doctor of the Year by the SDAFP. He said then, "I think the joy of family practice is you become immensely acquainted with the entire family…I would say you become almost an ex officio member of the family."

The obituary in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader contained some wonderful quotes, which I think tell us what kind of a man he was!

The Argus writes, "Throughout his career, Dr. Volin was called on from time to time to hold forth on his profession. His statements frame a philosophy of medicine," and goes on to quote his philosophy. "I think it is a highly technological society, it’s important the physician views the patient not as a case, but as a human being who needs ministration in the areas of compassion, trust, confidence," he once said. "Let us as physicians give a very disciplined, but a very human approach to our patients, so while we are correct in our treatments, we are also worthy of the trust and compassion."

The article also states that he delivered thousands of babies. After they were born he did his part to ensure the world into which he launched them was full of interest, compassion, and delight.