Docter Walter Pleban has passed away today. He was known to a lot of Fairfield Fans as Doc Pleban or just Doc. And used to post on this board as WepDoc. He is an icon of Fairfield Basketball. He started Doc's Roundtable. And I would have to say he will always be remembered as the #1 Stag Fan.
A Sad Day in Stag History
Last Edit: Feb 14, 2014 18:10:29 GMT -5 by JoeStag
This is a sad day for me. I have known walter for well over 40 years and he was agreat stag fan. He has been feeling poorly lately . I saw him at the home game vs monmouth and he was ready to talk about stag basketball. i remember fondly a road trip to Notre Dame and then to michingan state i belive, during terry oconnors time as head coach . Doc and i ahd the opportunity to travel with the team. Doc was my roomy and we had some very good times and a few cold ones during that trip.
Post by nashvillestag on Feb 14, 2014 16:50:37 GMT -5
Very sad day. Doc was in one of the original classes of Fairfield University, and I'm sure if you could add it up, that he has attended more Stag games than anyone else in the history of the program. A very passionate fan of the program for sure who took to heart both the wins and losses. But the sun was shining on him at the last game he was able to attend, as he was present when the Stags defeated Monmouth a few days ago! Doc will certainly be missed by all his friends.
Very sad day. Doc was in one of the original classes of Fairfield University, and I'm sure if you could add it up, that he has attended more Stag games than anyone else in the history of the program. A very passionate fan of the program for sure who took to heart both the wins and losses. But the sun was shining on him at the last game he was able to attend, as he was present when the Stags defeated Monmouth a few days ago! Doc will certainly be missed by all his friends.
In a tough year for the Stags, I'm glad he got to go out seeing a win. He was a great guy. He'll be missed. Thoughts and prayers to him/his family.
Doc., the founder of DOC's round table, will always be remembered as a truly generous person who loved and followed stag basketball with a passion. Will never forget our trip to Kansas and Vegas in 1999. Doc, you and the big cat keep rooting for us; we need all the help we can get.
2 things that I also remember about Doc, was the scrupulous notes that he had on all recruits, not just Fairfield. All hand written, and how he enjoyed even being part of the recruiting proccess during the day..... traveling to see recruits
But I also saw another part of Doc wen he was in the hospital the same time as my father. They were honoring him for his service at Bridgeport Hospital while I was there. And when I talked to the Doctors and Nurses, they all talked with reverence about Doc. His caring, his dedication and just a great human being. It seemed that Bridgeport Hospital stopped for an hour to honor Doc.
Post by ctghostman on Feb 15, 2014 19:07:42 GMT -5
There was a moment of silence to remember Doc before the game tonight. At half time, Huesler mentioned Doc during his half time speech. Also, Nash and Rave were with me when I asked Gene to officially go back to calling the meet the coaches nights "Doc's Roundtable". Gene was agreeable, let's hold them to it.
Last Edit: Feb 15, 2014 20:19:24 GMT -5 by ctghostman
All of our friends on the board and with the basketball program - I want to extend my thank you for the wonderful comments and well wishes from you to my family.
My dad loved Fairfield basketball - it was a large part of his life, and his outlet from his working responsibilities. It has been a big part of our household from the time I was born and before. And so many of you were good friends over many years. Game nights were big events, and there were many times I remember him aggravated with the game results and frustrated with the direction of the team - but he was always ready to head out to the next game, no matter how busy or tired he was. I'm not sure if college athletics is like that very often anymore, but it should be.
I was also very touched by the comments made by Mr. Fitzpatrick and by Bob Huessler today, which I had the opportunity to hear. Thank you to those who helped make it happen. I'm sure dad was looking down on all of us and smiling.
Dr. Walter Edward Pleban, age 76, passed away on February 14, after a short illness in Bridgeport Hospital, surrounded by his family and friends. Born May 22, 1937, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and a resident of Huntington, he was the son of the late Francis and Julia Kumor Pleban. Walter is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sandra Kaminsky Pleban. He will be greatly missed by his three children, Dr. Lisa A. Pleban and her spouse Susan Ward of Saratoga Springs, NY, Wendy Grabarz and her husband Robert of Huntington, and Joel Pleban of Stratford. He also leaves behind three cherished grandchildren, Kristen Grabarz, Stephen Grabarz, and David Pleban. He is survived by his brother Thaddeus of Macomb Michigan, and several nieces and nephews. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Stratford.
He was a 1954 graduate of Fairfield Prep, the first of three generations. He matriculated at Fairfield University, where he was a member of the freshman basketball team, graduating in 1958, and remaining a dedicated Fairfield Stags basketball fan for the rest of his life.
He graduated from the University of Louvain Medical School (Belgium). He completed his rotating internship at Bridgeport Hospital, as well as his residency in surgery under the Chairmanship his mentor, Dr. Andrew Panettieri. His residency was interrupted when he was called to serve in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, receiving the rank of Captain. Walter returned home to practice medicine in Stratford and Bridgeport for over 40 years and established the Pleban-Duerr medical practice. During his tenure at Bridgeport Hospital, Dr. Pleban distinguished himself by his genuine passion to help his patients and by introducing treatment modalities that would improve their care. He was one of the first physicians to use intravenous hyper alimentation treatment through central venous catheter after it was introduced by Dr. Stanley Dudrick. He was instrumental in developing the Connecticut Burn Center. As a member of the Board of the Connecticut Burns Foundation, he provided support to the Center that distinguished it in the Northeast. Clinically Walter dedicated himself to the most difficult of surgical cases, including difficult to heal wounds, and was a constant educator on complex wound management. One of his last professional accomplishments was his role in the establishment of the Bridgeport Hospital Wound Center.
Throughout his career, he was an exemplary surgeon and educator with the highest integrity and genuine humbleness. He was well-loved and respected by his patients and colleagues for his compassionate care and his teaching. An avid sports fan, Walter was passionate about watching the New York Giants and Yankees. His "Doc's Roundtable" basketball booster group celebrated his Stags, and he closely followed high school basketball. He enjoyed gardening, vacations fishing with his wife and friends, as well as hosting poker games and picnics. His greatest two joys were his family and practicing medicine.
Family and friends are welcome to attend: calling hours between 3-9 pm on Monday, February 17th at St. John's the Baptist Orthodox Church at 600 Silver Lane in Stratford. A Panachida Service will be held that evening at 7 pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday the 18th at 10 am at St. John's Church at 600 Silver Lane, Stratford. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Monroe.
Those desiring to remember Walter may make a contribution to: The Connecticut Burns Care Foundation, St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church at Silver Lane, or the Fairfield University Lyons-Lademen Athletic Fund. The Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements
Dr. Walter Pleban was born at Bridgeport Hospital in 1937. In a way, he never left.
As an adult, Pleban became a respected surgeon specializing in burn treatment. He had a private practice based in Bridgeport, but did much of his work at Bridgeport Hospital.
He was seen as a key figure in many of the hospital's landmark moments, from the opening of the Connecticut Burn Center in 1973 -- still the only burn center in the state -- to the opening of the hospital's wound center in the mid-2000s.
The 76-year-old Shelton resident died Friday at Bridgeport Hospital after a brief illness. That his life began and ended in the hospital is fitting, said friends and colleagues, as Pleban had an uncommon commitment to Bridgeport and its people throughout his career.
Most doctors who specialize in burn care don't stay in one place long because their services are in high demand, said Stephen Jakab, president of the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation.
"Dr. Pleban stayed close to home," he said. "He was a fixture in surgery and wound treatment here."
Pleban was also a fixture in the region. He attended Fairfield College Preparatory School and Fairfield University, where he played freshman basketball. He attended medical school at the University of Louvain in Belgium. Despite that somewhat exotic spot for his education, he came back home to complete his internship and, later, his surgical residency at Bridgeport Hospital.
Pleban's mentor as a surgical resident was Dr. Andrew Panettieri, one of the founders of the Connecticut Burn Center, and Jakab said Pleban was a huge supporter of the center over the years. He also played a key part in developing the wound center, Jakab said, because he saw it as a natural companion to the burn facility.
Pleban was also a pioneer who is regarded as being one of the first doctors to use intravenous feeding after it was developed in the late 1970s.
Most of those who knew him remembered Pleban as a committed clinician who didn't shy away from difficult cases or new technologies.
"Walter dedicated himself to the most difficult of surgical cases, including difficult to heal wounds, and was a constant educator on complex wound management," said Bridgeport Hospital's surgeon in chief, Dr. Nabil Atweh, in a statement. "Throughout his career, he was an exemplary surgeon and educator with the highest integrity and genuine humbleness."
But retired surgeon Sean Duerr, Pleban's longtime partner in private practice, said he was also compassionate and adored by his patients.
Duerr said Pleban's care extended beyond his clinical work. For example, it wasn't unusual for him to spend hours counseling someone with a drug problem to seek treatment.
"He was the epitome of a selfless doctor," said Duerr, who was partners with Pleban for more than 40 years. "He was a great role model."
Duerr said he once heard a story that on the day Pleban opened his practice, he walked through the door to finding a waiting room full of 20 patients eager to talk to him.
Duerr doesn't know if it's true, but it seems plausible, given how popular Pleban was.
"This guy was just the most wonderful human being," he said.