07/26/2026
I proudly was Wayne’s business partner for over 36 years. Having been present from the very first day to the very last, I just wanted to share some thoughts about our time together-Jim Turcer
When I graduated PT school, Wayne hired me, and gave me my first PT job. When I walked in for my interview, Wayne was stretching someone’s knee while he conducted the interview. I probably could have been off put by the unorthodox approach, but I got such a good vibe about his personality during the interview, that I knew I wanted to work with him. I wound up taking the job. (In typical Wayne fashion when I was not sure they were offering me enough money he told me to “hold out as they did not have any other applicants, and they were desperate to hire some one”!) That was the start of a 36 year partnership that outlasted 7 hospital CEO’s, and 4 clinic moves. Early on he was my mentor and he helped me understand what being a good therapist looked like. He helped me grow those first few years when I had so much to learn.
Wayne always had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He was always a good sport during legendary bosses day celebrations when the staff would pit us against each other in various competitions, mostly I think for their enjoyment see what the could get us to do, and to see who would claim the bosses day title. Initially we were a hospital based clinic before starting the Summit Therapy Center. We had fun pranking anyone who worked there and nobody was off limits. One department kept telling everyone they were upset because people keep taking hand made Christmas ornaments off their tree. Wayne had the idea that instead of ornaments, we should take their whole tree! With Gary’s help, we did just that. It rode for 2 hours up and down the employee elevator with various individuals decorating it with urinals, emesis basins, and other hospital items until it was found. It was his idea to send a memo from “administration” to all hospital departments that toilet paper was being rationed to 1 square per employee and that bathrooms would soon be “pay to use” when the hospital was exploring cost cutting measures which forced administration to put out a retraction denying it was true! It was also his idea, the year we were asked to be Santa and his elf handing out gifts, to give the hospital CEO a bullseye to wear on his back and give employees dart guns at the hospital party when the staff was upset that year about a possible pending hospital merger. (Needless to say we were never invited back to be Santa and his elf again!)
Wayne was an intelligent, intellectual soul. He could carry on a conversation about any number of topics including sports, travel, geography, home repair, philosophy, religion, politics, wine, or the economy. Even though he might have disagreed with your position or opinion, he respected your right to have it. He would never talk down to you, and you always seemed to walk away a little smarter after having talked to him.
Wayne was an exceptional athlete. He was an extremely fast runner and excelled at basketball, softball, football, and in his later years pickle ball. We had numerous epic staff basketball and football games on our “paperwork” days. He was competitive but he always remembered the reason we were out there. It was great for staff camaraderie. One thing he was not good at was golf. I do have a feeling that after a joyful reunion with his parents he has some explaining to do to his father on how he broke the head of the driver off his dad’s prized golf club during the hospital tournament. (Although on a positive note I think the drivers head flew further down the fairway than the ball!)
If I was a betting man I would say you could not find 2 people who were as diametrically opposed in terms of food choices, travel destinations, sports, cars, hobbies, clothing, or life in general as Wayne and I. (Weirdly we both loved Dylan music…however in keeping with being polar opposites, when the business ended he moved north, and I moved south!) Having said that, you could not find 2 individuals who were more in lock step as business partners. We were perfect for each other as we both possessed the same value system. Wayne was an honest, fair, level headed thinker who had a way of rationally reasoning through any situation related to the business. We both shared the same passion for what a therapy clinic should look and run like for the patients, but just as importantly for the staff. And while we didn’t always agree on how to proceed, we always arrived at the common ground of “what was best for the business”. There was nobody I trusted more to have my back or stand behind me 100% of the time professionally. He was a class act.
It is hard to put 36 years into a few words but I can truthfully say I believe my career path led me to where I am today because of Wayne. He gave me my start and he took a chance on me starting a business together. Every year, for 36 years, at our employee Christmas party I would end grace by turning to Wayne and saying, “I am thankful for you being dumb enough to hire me all those years ago”. He would smile and say something complimentary but I hope he knew how truly grateful I was for him giving me a chance. (And yes I said it the year Wayne hosted the party and we all had to rush out of his house on a cold December night while the fire department was called because of the house possibly burning down because of a suspected fire in the fire place chimney!)
We lost a good man this week. The world is a little sadder and a little less fun without Wayne in it. He was loved as much by the staff as he was by the patients who trusted him with their care. He had a friendly easy way about his demeanor that would put you at ease, and people would just gravitate to him. You felt like you knew him your whole life after just meeting him. I hope he is now able to finally run like he used to on the basketball court, softball diamond, or football field or wherever they are playing pickle ball. I hope he is having a glass of wine with his parents, catching up with friends who went before him, or at “beer club” making some off color comment that just makes people laugh. Cheers to you big guy! Our lives are all little bit more colorful and richer from having known you. Peace and love always. ❤️ Jimmy T.
