Parks board honors Dr. Patel upon his retirement

Goshen — Dr. Rohit Patel’s career as a urologist and a member of the Orange County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board for nearly 25 years was recognized recently at a retirement reception at the Orange County Country Club. Dr. Patel headed Middletown Urology Associates for 35 years. His associates, Dr. David Cohen and Dr. Gerald Galarneau, hosted the reception. Dr. Patel is married to the former Michelle Reardon of Goshen. The couple met at the Arden Hill Hospital in 1966, where Patel treated Michelle for a sports injury in the emergency room. The Patels have three children: two sons, Rohit Jr. and Peter, and a daughter, Kirsten. Then-Orange County Executive Louis Heinback appointed Dr. Patel to the Parks Advisory Board in 1980. Dr. Patel was elected president three times during a period of major development and expansion of the parks system. Former parks Commissioner Graham M. Skea said Dr. Patel’s vision and understanding were critical to the board’s many successes.