![[Estelle Wachtel-Torres picture]](Estelle_WT.JPG)
In Memoriam: Dr. Estelle Wachtel Torres
Estelle Wachtel-Torres, M.D. (1919-2012) was born in Chicago to parents who were pioneers of professional Polish Stage and Radio in the United States, The young Stanley Wachtel, who came from Austria-occupied Poland in 1912, married Gertrude Wieckowska. In Chicago they established a successful reparatory acting troupe. Stanley was the playwright, producer, director and actor, while Gertrude assumed the tasks of finance management, logistics, properties, as well as acting. Into this performing Polish culture was incorporated their daughter, Stasia, known to us as Estelle.
In 1933 the Wachtel family settled in Detroit to embark on careers in Polish radio. At 15, Stasia moderated "Przyjaciolka Stasia," a Saturday children's program, where, in her best Polish, she entertained with scripted stories, poetic recitations, educational quizzes, and riddles. In 1944, Stanley Wachtel's Variety Program on WJLB came to an abrupt end when all foreign language programming in the US was suspended for national security reasons.
This event coincided with Estelle's intense focus on her medical education at Wayne State University, where she was a pioneer woman entering the medical profession. Estelle was only one of two women in her class. There she met and married her husband, Raul Torres. Following completion of internship and residency, they established private practices in Detroit, Estelle as an obstetrician-gynecologist and Raul as a general surgeon. They raised four daughters: Phyllis, Mary, Paula and Alicia. Estelle actively encouraged their appreciation of literature, theater, music and art. Three became doctors, graduating from Wayne State University College of Medicine and one pursued a career in technology.
As a practicing physician, Estelle promoted recruitment of women into medical careers. In addition to membership in professional medical societies,she supported the Friends of Polish Art of Detroit, the Polish Falcons, and the Kosciuszko Foundation. Her first trip to Poland was in 1965 with the American College of Surgeons.
After the death of her parents, the careers of Stanley and Gertrude Wachtel were told in "The Stanley Wachtel Collection," now housed at the US Library of Congress. They were also featured in Dr. Emil Orzechowski's "Teatr Polonijny w Stanach Zjednoczonych" published in 1989.
Upon the death of her husband, Estelle participated in the first AMERICARES Christmas airlift of candy for Polish children in hospitals and orphanages. She was also requested to evaluate the Phenylketonuria problem in Poland, after which gluten-free products were shipped to Poland.
In her retirement, Estelle was a sustaining member of the Michigan Opera Company, Founders Society of the Detroit Art Museum, Copernicus Society at the Univ. of Michigan, Ambassador's Club at Orchard Lake, and the John Paul II Foundation of Michigan. She also remained actively involved with The American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC), attending conventions since 1986, participating on the Board of Directors, and establishing their annual Literary Competition.
After moving to Virginia, Estelle immersed herself in the programs of the Polish American Arts Association of Washington (PAAA), where she served as President 1999-2001 and for many years on the Board of Directors. She edited the PAAA Newsletter and established the PAAA Scholarship Grant program. In 2004 the Polish American Historical Association recognized Estelle for her contributions at furthering understanding of the Polish experience in America. In the same year she also received the ACPC Founders Award.
Estelle was blessed with a strong psyche and physiology. She thoroughly enjoyed the pleasures of clinical practice, close friendships, loving daughters, healthy fun and mischief, grand-children, and the unanticipated experience of great-grandparenthood. She lived her life with purpose, intellect, adventure and elegance. she will truly be missed.
Source: Her loving daughters - Drs. Mary, Paula, and Phyllis
Obituary for Estelle Phyllis von Wachtel-Torres
Wachtel-Torres, M.D., Estelle Phyllis of Leesburg, VA, age 92, died Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Evangelical Home - Saline. Estelle was born October 11, 1919 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Stanley Zenon Wachtel of Lwow Poland and Gertrude Wieckowska of Chicago. Estelle attended Wayne State University Medical School where she met Raul M. Torres, M.D. and married him on May 1, 1943. They conducted their combined OB/Gyn-Surgical medical clinic in Hamtramck, raised four daughters in Detroit and entertained family and friends at their cottage on Lake Michigan, located at the old Getts Farm Zoo in Holland. Dr. Estelle Torres is preceded in death by her husband Raul and her daughter Alicia R. Petrucci. The tragic and sudden loss of her youngest daughter this past Christmas Eve left Estelle disconsolate. Dr. Torres is survived by her daughters Estelle Phyllis Torres-Bessette M.D., Mary Irene Wachtel-Torres de Pearlman, M.D. and Paula Marcella Torres-Stein, M.D. and her much appreciated son-in-laws Mel Pearlman, M.D., David Stein, M.D., and Dennis Petrucci.
Estelle's six grandchildren will truly miss her: Angie McKee (Scott), Jennifer Spitael (Jeroen), Christy Hughes, Lisa Pearlman, Allan Pearlman and Erik Stein. Estelle's six great-grandchildren were a source of sheer delight: Duncan, Connor & Grace McKee and Ian, Sofie and Cameron Spitael. Dr. Torres' transgenerational and transcontinental friendships were a testimonial to her unique style, warm spirit and cosmopolitan perspective. Estelle was a lifelong participant in American-Polonian activities including: Friends of Polish Art (Detroit), Polish American Arts Association (Washington, D.C.) and the American Council for Polish Culture. A celebration of Estelle's life will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy for all to share good food, good memories and drink.
Please - in lieu of flowers - memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations:
Wayne State University Medical School Scholarship Fund
E.P. Torres/R.M. Torres Endowed Medical Loan Fund (code #601611)
c/o Rebecca Geisler
4201 St. Antoine
Mailbox 253
University Health Center 6F-12
Detroit, MI 48201
ACPC Literary Competition/Scholarship Fund
The American College for Polish Culture, Inc.
c/o Mary Ellen Tyszka
27562 David Givens
Warren, MI 48092-3533
www.polishcultureacpc.org
Inquiries regarding Estelle's celebration of life or memorial contributions may be made to [email protected]
Estelle Phylis Wachtel-Torres
Physician
Born Oct. 11, 1919, Chicago (IL), died - May 12, 2012; U.S.; daughter of Stanley Zenon Wachtel and Gertrude (Wieckowska); married Raul M. Torres; children: Phyllis, Mary, Paula, Alicia.
Education: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), 1940, Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), College of Medicine, 1944, Wayne State University, Detroit (MI).
Career: resident teaching program, Department of Family Medicine, Providence Hospital, Detroit, 1950-76; staff member, St. Francis Hospital, Hamtramck (MI), 1960-68; Retired.
Member of: Michigan State Medical Society; Ottawa County Medical Society; Wayne University Medicine Alumni Association; Medical Dental Arts Club; Polish Falcons of America, since 1935; Polish National Alliance (P.N.A.), since 1937; secretary, vice president, Friends of Polish Art (board directors member, 1988-93), Detroit; American Center of Polish Culture (A.C.P.C.) (board directors member, 1990-94); co-founder, Society of Detroit Institute of Arts; supporter, Michigan Opera Theater; Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall Volunteer Council; ambassador, Friends of Orchard Lake Schools; John Paul II Foundation; Alliance Francaise; Kosciuszko Foundation.
Affiliation: Catholic.
Languages: English, Polish, Spanish, French.
Hobbies: travel, reading history or biographies, medical aid.
Home: 22006 Village Pines Drive, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.