Dr. William Wolgin

Dr William Wolgin Urologist, Philanthropist, Art Lover passed away Wednesday April 12th 2023

William (Bill) Wolgin, 100, was born in Philadelphia PA in 1922 to Israel and Rose Basin Wolgin.  The third of four brothers, Bill maintained a residence in the Philadelphia area for his entire life.  A veteran, Bill served his country as a doctor during WWII and the Korean war.  Educated at the University of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann Medical College, Bill completed his internship at Mt Sinai Hospital and became a licensed physician in 1948.  Wanting to perform surgery, Bill chose a specialization in Urology and, after the completion of his residencies at Hahneman and Mt Sinai in 1951, he went on to become a Board Certified Urologist and the Chairman of the Department of Urology at Albert Einstein Medical Center.  After starting his own practice in 1953 he spent 12 years teaching at Hahnemann Medical College (1953-1958) and Temple University School of Medicine (1969-1976) and was published ten times.  

Bill was introduced to his wife Acey by her brother who was his classmate at Hahnemann.  Together they had two children, two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.  Married for 67 years at the time of her death, Bill and Acey shared many adventures together.  Acey’s expertise as a travel agent was invaluable as she arranged trips across the globe in which the two traveled to hundreds of cities on six continents.  Often traveling as the ship’s doctor, Bill enjoyed sailing and completed many impressive and often treacherous crossings.  Acey’s involvement in the art world as a Trustee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art allowed them to be deeply involved in the nascent contemporary art movement.   They often hosted notable artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstien, and Claes Oldenberg in their apartment in Philadelphia.  A lifelong art collector and enthusiast, Bill was active with the Boca Raton Museum of Art for decades serving as a Trustee and twice as Chairman of the Board.  In recognition of his long service and achievements he was awarded the Jean Spence Lifetime Achievement Award by the Boca Raton Museum of Art in 2010.  Continuing his philanthropic efforts in the art community, Bill became a Trustee and member of the Advisory committee of Woodmere Art Museum in 2012. 

Bill was predeceased by his wife Ann Claire (Acey) Wolgin

He is survived by his children Richard I. Wolgin and his wife Mune Sileika, and his daughter Frances Ann (Fredi) Wolgin.

His grandchildren Miriam Sokoloff, Daniel Wolgin and his wife, Andrea Wolgin and their three children.

Services will be private

Contributions in William’s honor can be made to:

Woodmere Art Museum

9201 Germantown Ave, 

Philadelphia, PA 19118

(215) 247-0476

Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

Two Commerce Square

2001 Market Street, Suite 2300

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(215) 832-0500