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When Dr. Milton Elzufon ended his career recently, local people took notice. Now, his colleagues around the nation are reading about his decision, and his career. The following appears in the May 1998 issue of APMA News, a magazine from the American Podiatric Medical Association: Milton Elzufon, DPM, of Newark, NY, has never had a bad day of work. But now, the 85-year-old podiatric physician, also an active politician, has decided to retire after 61 years of practice - but not due to tiring of people. It's just time to take a break. Dr. Elzufon was born in (New York City), and his family moved (to a farm) when he was two years old. He began his political career at age 13 by running errands for the Democrats during the 1924 convention at Madison Square Garden. Later, he went off to Boston University to major in journalism. During the Depression, work was scarce. Dr. Elzufon had a wart on his heel, and his cousin, a chiropodist, treated it and suggested that he consider podiatric medical training. Not long after, Dr. Elzufon was accepted at the First Institute of Podiatry, on condition that he was able to pay the tuition of $400 per year. He was graduated with an MCP degree in 1936 and immediately began his practice in New York City. In 1940, Dr. Elzufon moved to Newark, but World War II temporarily interrupted his life. He left practice and his young family to serve in the Army, receiving two commendations for a bronze star. He then returned home and resumed his career. Very few businesses were open in the evening during those days, but Dr. Elzufon worked late on Tuesdays. On one Tuesday in particular, it was raining hard and he had no appointments. A man who was trying to hold a Democratic caucus called because only three people came and they needed a fourth. Dr. Elzufon was within walking distance of city hall and joined the group. He was appointed secretary of that caucus and automatically became secretary of the Democratic Committee. He went on to run for mayor of Newark and was elected six times (in one election year, he ran unopposed), which was unheard of, since registered Republicans outnumbered registered Democrats by 7 to 1 in the little village. He was elected town supervisor and served jointly in that position and as mayor for six months, while running his full-time practice without a partner. "I don't know how I did it," Dr. Elzufon said, "but I had a lot of old-fashioned, latent nervous energy." He is election commissioner today and says that he still enjoys politics. He and his wife, Muriel, have three children - Mindy, John, and Robyn - five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. They have traveled extensively, visiting Israel and ...England. They have also been to St. Andrews and many other English courses, where Dr. Elzufon practices another of his pastimes - golf. "I don't have plans for my retirement," Dr. Elzufon says, "other than to live. I'm 85 years old. The only feet I'll be looking at are my wife's and my own!" Not surprising, since even the most devoted "people person" needs some type of a break after 61 years! Copyright © 1998 |
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Elzufon's retirement