Dr. James David Sidman Obituary (1954 - 2018)

James Sidman, age 63, of Wayzata. Passed away from prostate cancer at his home on July 4, 2018. A devoted husband and father, Jim was imbued with a blunt wit (often skewering himself), a strong sense of fairness, and the drive to make the world a better place. As a pediatric head and neck surgeon, he was a tireless advocate for children, impacting the lives of thousands of young patients, both at Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota, and on many world-wide medical missions. But his happiest moments were at home or adventuring with his cherished wife and two sons, of whom he was extremely proud, and his beloved dog. He is survived by wife, Joyce; son and daughter-in-law, Eli and Marta (Bueno); son Gabriel; siblings, Charles Sidman and Judith Huober; father, Murray; many nieces and nephews. Preceded by his mother, Jean. Born in Washington, D.C., on August 23, 1954, Jim grew up in Back Bay Boston and Newton, MA. He attended Vassar College (‘78), punctuated by a two-year Peace Corps stint as a medic in Micronesia, where his interest in medicine was kindled. He later went to Dartmouth Medical School and then trained in otolaryngology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. As a practicing surgeon in Minnesota, he loved to train young doctors, always hoping they would surpass him. Even when weakened by a ten-year struggle with his disease, he continued to mentor and dispense fatherly advice with abandon. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held 11:00am SUNDAY, July 8, at SHIR TIKVAH, 1360 W MINNEHAHA PKWY, 55419. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota Foundation or Children's Surgery International. Hodroff-Epstein hodroffepstein.com 612-871-1234