Rapid City - Dr. Sidney E. Wechsler, 80, Rapid City died Friday, July 31, 2015 at the Rapid City Regional Auxiliary Hospice House. Sidney Edward Wechsler was born October 13, 1934 in New York City, New York to Murray and Sarah [Eckhaus] Wechsler. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School at the age of 15 and graduated from NYU at age 19. As the youngest graduate of the 1958 class at NYU School of Medicine, Sidney was first in his class at the age of 23. He continued his education specializing OB/GYN. Sidney chose obstetrics because he wanted to bring life into the world, and delivered over 3000 babies during his private practice Los Angeles, CA. He married Sandra Elaine Russell on November 12, 1959 at New York City. During his private practice, he was also a professor at UCLA. Afterwards he accepted a commission as a LT. Col with the Public Health Service in Rosebud, SD at the Rosebud Reservation Indian Hospital where Sidney was the Senior Surgeon and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology. After returning to Los Angeles in 1980, Sidney was professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at USC. Sidney and his wife Sandi retired to South Dakota in 1997. As exceptional as he was as a physician, he was even more so as a loving husband, father, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years: Sandi; one son: Robert "Rob" [Jan] Wechsler all of Rapid City; one sister: Barbara Wechsler of New York City, NY; grandchild: Adam R. Wechsler of CA; four step-grandchildren: Rick [Lisa] Hamilton, Danny Hamilton, James [Deidre] Hamilton, and Natalie [Jerry]Shaffer; and four great-grandchildren: Noah, Jhet, Layla, and Knox. Also, a dearest life-long friend: Eileen Saccheri of Virginia. Sidney was preceded in death by his parents. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Hospice of the Hills for the wonderful care given to Sidney. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of the Black Hills, 605-394-4170. His funeral service will be 2 pm, Sunday, August 2, 2015 at Osheim and Schmidt Funeral Home.