Jeko Mladenoff Nedelkoff, M.D. passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 93 on August 16, 2021 after living an extraordinary life that touched so many people.
He was born in Moschino, Bulgaria on July 3, 1928, the son of Mladen and Nedelka Nedelkoff. Jeko graduated with distinction from high school in Sofia in 1946. Jeko studied medicine at the University of Sofia until he fled his homeland and furthered his studies at the University of Vienna. In 1947, he joined his brother Bogdan in Germany and attended medical school at the University of Wurzburg where he graduated Cum Laude in 1951. During medical school, he worked as laboratory technician at University Hospital Wurzburg. In 1948, he met the love of his life, Nina who was a Latvian refugee serving as a translator at the hospital. They later married on June 4, 1953 after they both arrived safely in America.
Jeko immigrated to the United States in 1951 aboard the USS General LeRoy Eltinge, where he served as the ship’s doctor. After landing in New York, he moved to Jersey City, New Jersey to complete his internship and surgical residency at Christ Hospital. During his residency, he worked in the research department of Hoffman La Roche completing an extensive study on acute toxicity of INH which was published in 1952. Jeko completed another surgical residency at Millville Hospital and served as house physician at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, New Jersey from 1954 to 1955.
In 1955, Jeko was recruited to assume a private practice in Salineville, Ohio. Dr. Nedelkoff selflessly devoted himself at all hours of the day and night to provide much needed medical care to the community, making house calls and treating people regardless of their ability to pay. For sixteen years, he was a general practitioner and general surgeon attending patients at East Liverpool City Hospital and Northern Community Hospitals of Salem. He also managed a long term facility in the community. His family moved to Crestline, Ohio in 1971 where he maintained a robust private practice for ten years and continued his work as a general practitioner and general surgeon.
In the latter part of his career, Jeko served as a forensic psychiatric physician for the State of Ohio, eventually retiring in 2001. Throughout his life, he was known as a beloved doctor, a keen diagnostician and caring and compassionate physician who always put his patients first. After retiring, Jeko moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida to enjoy the warm weather and coastal life. He continued his thirst for knowledge by constantly reading and self-educating during his retirement years. In 2015, he returned to Ohio to be closer to his family, his greatest joy.
Dr. Nedelkoff was predeceased by his wife, Nina (Krumberg) Nedelkoff; his son, Ralph Nedekoff, his parents; his sister, Svilena Milkova; and his brothers Desi Nedelkoff and Dr. Bogdan Nedelkoff. He is survived by his beloved daughters Robbin (Nedelkoff) McNeill and Rebecca (Nedelkoff) Holland and son Richard Nedelkoff; and his grandchildren, Brett Nedelkoff, Geoffrey Nedelkoff, Jack McNeill, Leo Holland and Ella Holland.
A family interment service will be held at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date. Tributes and messages may be shared with his family at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com
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