Leslie "Les" Pliskin

Leslie A. Pliskin 1952 - 2023 Leslie (Les) A. Pliskin, age 70, passed away unexpectedly at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis on February 14, 2023. He was born at Chicago Lying-In Hospital to Mildred and Irving Pliskin, on December 9, 1952. He graduated from Niles Township High School East Division in 1970, with a full scholarship from G.D. Searle & Co for the six-year medical program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He graduated with distinction in 1976. Les completed his Family Practice Residency at S.I.U School of Medicine in Springfield, IL, where he met his future wife, Nancy Owens. He was board certified in Family Practice and Emergency Medicine. He and Nancy left Illinois in 1979 to explore the Northwest, settling in Corvallis, where Les began a long and successful career at Lebanon Community Hospital, 30 years as an ED physician, 10 years as ED Director and 11 years in Urgent Care. He was appointed to the Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital Board in 1991 and to the Samaritan Health Services System Board in 1998, where he was a strong leader and passionate about the mission of building healthier communities, serving on both boards until his death. Les was a teacher at heart, spending several years as EMS Director in Linn County and more recently working with medical students and residents on rotation in Urgent Care from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific NW in Lebanon. He retired in 2018, but continued part-time through 2019. Les could not have been a more devoted and loving husband, dad and grandpa. His family meant the world to him. He meant the world to his family. He and Nancy celebrated their 41st anniversary in late January. He was such an involved and proud dad of Jessica and Ben, and heartbroken when Jessica died in 2021. His time as “Grandpa” to Ellie and Will gave him immense joy. They were drawn to the light and warmth of his laughter, hugs, big heart and playful nature. Les brought a sense of humor, positive attitude and quiet strength to life, even in the years when he faced serious health challenges. In 1980 he planted his first vegetable garden and a hobby was born. He enthusiastically shared his produce and gardening tips with friends, co-workers, and neighbors over the next 42 years. An avid sports fan, especially football, he was a long-time supporter of Oregon State athletics. Les was a gentle and generous man, big-picture thinker, and laughed as much as anyone at his own puns. He possessed a keen intellect, hearty laugh, and energized any room with his presence. He especially enjoyed conversations about red wines, sports, history, politics and travel. Over the last 13 years, he and Nancy had enjoyed more time to travel, visiting many states and countries. Les is survived by wife Nancy, son Ben (Whitney Heffernan) Pliskin, grandchildren Eleanor “Ellie” Pliskin and William “Will” Pliskin, brothers Philip (Sandy) Pliskin and Steven (Cheryl) Pliskin, brothers-in-law Robert (Mary Ann) Owens and William (Christine) Owens, nieces Michelle (Chris) Franklin and Monica (Justin)Dugan, nephews Joey (Dione) Pliskin and Taylor (Alyssa Lamontagne) Owens, grandnephew Colin Dugan, several cousins and his adopted Oregon family. He was preceded in death by his daughter Jessica, parents, in-laws Robert and Betty Owens, aunts, uncles and a cousin. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m. in Dennis Hall Community Center, First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW 8th St. Please enter from the 9th St or Monroe Ave doors. Parking is available on the street, limited spaces in the lot, and at First Baptist Church across the intersection of 9th St. and Monroe. Donations may be made in Les’ memory to Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation (samhealth.org/Giving) or to Community Outreach, Inc of Corvallis (communityoutreachinc.org). Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com

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Leslie "Les" Pliskin

December 9, 1952 - February 14, 2023