My condolences to Mark's family.   I just learned so late of this sad news while looking online to purchase his book.  He and I had communicated for quite some time when I was researching if I was related to him. We were introduced by his son when I wrote to David when he was Secretary of Veteran Affairs with the question.  According to Mark, from all of his research, it was unlikely that we were from the same tree.  Yet, Mark and I continued exchanging fascinating  information and history.  What a wonderful man.  My heart goes out to all that he touched in his lifetime of work.

I think of Dr. Shulkin every August 29, his birthday - 3 days from mine. He was my psychiatrist from 1964 to 1990. I've been under the care of easily 150+ psychiatrists since that time . He was unforgettable and in a class by himself. I saw him in individual therapy, pre-marital, marital, family therapy, and twice as a patient at PPC. One evening, he came in to see me at PPC and instead of talking, he took me out to a 76ers game. When he first purchased an Apple computer, he offered to let me have it to take home and learn it - then return it to him. He was always there to help in so many imaginative ways.. He represented me in a hearing before the Board of Veterans Appeals, took me to lunch many times during appointments. He amazed me with his insight and understanding of others, and his ability to connect with those in unfortunate circumstances.  I've never seen anyone quite like him - his sense of humor to cheer you up, and his colorful, metaphorical speech. I can recall verbatim things he told me 50 years ago - that's the positive, helpful impact he had on me. 

I had the privilege of being Mark's wife for 65 years. He was an extraordinary human beings..so loving, funny, wise, and devoted. He would orchestrate every holiday with tricks up his sleeve at every turn and stories to tell and jokes to crack. His laugh was a big as his heart and he would laugh the loudest at all that he told. He adored his children and spending time with them was the best part of his week. Each month, he would surprise me with a surprise. The surprise was carefully wrapped and the anticipation of how excited I would be brought a grin to his smile and a crinkle to his devilish eye. More often than note, the surprise was a dime store comb (or a 50 cent piece of something). He had me roaring each time...not for the gift itself, but for his abundant joy in delivering something unexpected. To me, he was one of a kind. A treasure, a marvel, a human being at his finest. He is forever and for always in my heart.

When I overcame some difficulties I found myself well behind my peers in ordinary social skills. I asked Mark what should I do. He said can you mimic people. I sure can, I'm actually got some acting talent. He answered, well, hang out with some people your age and just imitate them. This sounds very simple advice but actually it helped me emotionally too cuz its like leaping over development I missed out on. Mark is drill my best friend. There's more stories, believe me!!!

Many fond memories of Mark, both professionally and personally.Our sincere sympathy to Sunny and Nedra and David and their entire families.
Wish we could be with you.

My condolences to Sunny and all your family. I am a former patient who felt friendship with Mark, more or less, beyond the office. 76's games, and one unforgettable occasion when Mark played Santa Claus for kids at a clinic in Chester. He is one of too three positive influences in my life.

Allen and Sue Usow send deepest condolences from Lake Worth, Florida