Sidney M. Edelstein

Sidney Melvin Edelstein, OD succumbed to a long illness March 12, 2017. He was 86 years old. Dr. Edelstein was a well-known and respected member of the medical community in Madisonville, KY. He was born in Dyersburg, TN and ultimately spent his childhood in Morganfield, KY with his two brothers, Joseph, Bernard, sister Tillaya and parents Harry and Pauline Edelstein. After completion of high school, Dr. Sidney Edelstein joined the Navy in 1948 and spent one year on active duty followed by seven years of reserve activity. During his tenure, he spent time in the Caribbean and always looked fondly on his military experience, no matter how short.

In 1949, Dr. Sidney Edelstein attended undergraduate studies at Western Kentucky University in preparation for attending the Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN in 1951. He graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 1955. During his time in Memphis he met and married Gladys Ray Allen, a native Memphian. After receiving his professional degree, Dr. Edelstein relocated to Marion, KY. While in Marion he was an active member of the community and ran a successful optometric practice for 15 years. In addition to the professional successes, he and wife raised a family of three children, Adrian, Andrea Lynn and Steven.

Sensing a higher purpose in his career, Dr. Sidney M. Edelstein, decided to return to Southern College of Optometry as a Clinical Faculty member. He remained on staff for two years, but ultimately desired to return to Kentucky in 1973. He and his wife decided to make Madisonville their home and Dr. Edelstein became a member of the clinical staff at Trover Clinic for 24 years, retiring in December of 1997.

Dr. Sidney M. Edelstein had many interests including golf and model aircraft aviation. He loved being a member of the local golf clubs including Lakeshore Country Club and Madisonville Country Club. In addition, he enjoyed traveling with his family to locations to play various and challenging courses. Over the years, Dr. Edelstein developed a strong interest in aviation and was well known in the model aviation community in the Madisonville area. He initially worked with model airplanes (both building and flying remotely) and in his later years was a quick adopter of drone aviation.

Dr. Sidney M. Edelstein is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gladys R. Edelstein of Madisonville, KY, his brother Joseph Edelstein (Suzanne) of New Castle KY, his sister Tillaya Lusky of Memphis TN, his daughter Adrian R. Edelstein of Madisonville, his daughter Andrea Lynn Edelstein, his son-in-law John C. Gunn both of Clarksville, TN, his son Steven B. Edelstein of Chicago, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews. Burial service will be held at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, Hopkinsville, KY on April 14, 2017 at 1200. Flowers are not requested but if there is a desire to donate, the family wishes that these be directed to the SCO Office of Institutional Advancement, Edelstein Scholarship Fund, Southern College of Optometry, 1245 Madison Avenue, Memphis TN 38104.