"There he was on the stage at 105, helping give out degrees to 25-year-olds, and it was electrifying," Dr. Reece said. "And when we presented him the Lifetime Achievement Award, he got a standing ovation and people refused to sit down and kept on clapping. Dr. Schenker brought down the house."
The award commended Dr. Schenker for his more than six-decade medical career that was devoted to the care of his patients and to the "education and training of scores of physicians. He taught and mentored countless medical students and residents, many of whom have had distinguished careers dedicated to improving the health of the citizens of Maryland."
He was also remembered for his generosity "with his patients, including a willingness to treat those who could not otherwise afford medical care."
In an interview at the time with The Baltimore Jewish Times, Dr. Schenker reflected on his long career in medicine.
"The award was given to me for treating sick people like they should be treated. When I went to medical school, I was taught to treat sick people - not black people, white people or yellow people," he said. "Religion and color makes absolutely no difference. Everyone should be treated the same."
Dr. Schenker explained that he was successful in his work because he made house calls and "I had personal relationships with my patients, unlike today how some doctors are only in it for the money."
The former longtime Pinckney Road resident had been a resident of Park Towers for the past two decades.
For years, Dr. Schenker went fishing with a group of doctors every Wednesday.
He also was an avid vegetable gardener and ham radio operator.
"His call letters were W3IRA, and I remember during World War II, when people would come to our house to talk with their sons who were in the service," his daughter said. "One of his good radio friends was King Hussein of Jordan."
He also enjoyed playing poker and regularly went out to dinner. His mind remained focused and sharp, his daughter said.
Even though Dr. Schenker's diet was rather medically unconventional, he did give up smoking the cigars and pipes he so enjoyed when he was 86.
"He ate all the wrong foods. He had a high-fat diet and drank 101-proof Wild Turkey bourbon every day," Mrs. Shapiro said, laughing.
"He had an exercise bike once, but we don't know what happened to it. He also attributed his longevity, as he said, to 'staying away from doctors,' " Mrs. Shapiro said.
