Memorials

Robert C. Wagenaar, PhD

May 23, 1957 – February 13, 2013

ASNR is deeply saddened to learn that Robert Wagenaar, PhD, passed away on February 13, 2013.  With his passing, the neurorehabilitation community has lost a dedicated, passionate scientist.  Dr. Wagenaar was very active in the ASNR, having recently completed two terms on the ASNR Board of Directors and serving as Program Chair for two very successful meetings.    Dr. Wagenaar had extensive publications and served on the Editorial Board for ASNR’s journal, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair.  Robert leaves behind his wife, Maud, and his two children Reyn and Carlijn.  He will be sorely missed in the field of neurorehabilitation and by everyone whose lives he touched.
 

Joel S. Feigenson, MD

On February 18, 2011, the Neurorehabilitation community lost a dedicated, passionate advocate who was also one of the initial practitioners of the Neurorehabilitation field. Joel S. Feigenson, MD passed way at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. Dr. Fiegenson was a dedicated Neurologist for 40 years. He was one of the most humane and compassionate physicians one is fortunate to be acquainted with as a fellow professional and friend.

Following a childhood in White Plains, N.Y, USA, Dr. Feigenson attended Columbia University in New York. He then studied medicine at New York University (NYU) Medical School. Dr. Feigenson also completed his residency in Neurology at NYU. Following his residency, Dr. Feigenson developed the Stroke Unit at the Burke Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Feigenson later joined Associated Neurologists in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He designed and directed dedicated inpatient rehabilitation units, first at Park City and then at St. Vincent's Hospitals. Dr. Feigenson was also medical director of Rehabilitation at the Hospitals.

Dr. Feigenson wrote a number of neurorehabilitation topic papers published in several journals, particularly Stroke and JAMA, regarding stroke rehabilitation and stroke outcome. His initial papers were published in 1977, many years before Neurology Section on Neurorehabilitation of the American Academy of Neurology was established in 1985. The American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) was not created until 1990.

Dr. Feigenson was active in the Neurorehabilitation community. He served on the Board of Directors of the ASNR from 2004 until 2010. He additionally served as the Webmaster for the ASNR webpage. Dr. Feigenson was active in the Stoke Council as well.

Aside from his wonderful talent as a physician, Dr. Feigenson also had a gift as a photographer. The Rehabilitation Community will truly miss Dr. Feigenson; his experience and his compassion are vital tributes of his work that will remain as lasting evidence of his contributions to Neurorehabilitation.

 

Dr. Erich Streib
October 2, 1940 - March 13, 2015

Dr. Erich Streib was born in Vaihingen-Enz, Germany, on Oct. 2, 1940. He received his medical degree from the University of Tuebingen. During his neurology residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., he met his wife, Sallie, also a neurologist. He then did his fellowship training in neurophysiology and electromyography at the Mayo Clinic. He held academic positions at the University of Kansas, the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Nebraska. He was an active clinical researcher. He was a cherished teacher who earned multiple teaching awards.

In 1987, he moved to Cedar Rapids, where he practiced neurology and later neurorehabilitation. He established and directed the Memory Clinic, educating patients, the community and physicians about dementing diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. He was a kind and understanding physician loved by his patients and their families. He was a team worker, much appreciated by colleagues and co-workers.

Outside of medicine he was an active, lifelong learner, with interests in music, languages and the outdoors. He sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church and took undergraduate Spanish classes. He took annual 10-day hiking and back-packing trips in Germany with his daughter, Julie. Most importantly, he was a loving husband and father, proud of the many accomplishments of his family.

Dr. Strieb was a proud ASNR Member and will be greatly missed.