Obituary:

Sol Balkin, a longtime Glendale podiatrist who gained recognition for his work and research on injectable silicone, died Saturday after a battle with bone cancer. He was 82.

Balkin used silicone to alleviate nonsurgical-related foot problems, son Lee Balkin said, adding that the silicone injections provided cushion for the foot.

The procedure was not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but because he successfully treated his patients, Sol Balkin continued to use the silicone injections to provide the relief people needed, Lee Balkin said.

In the course of 47 years, Sol Balkin injected nearly 2,000 patients with silicone.

“It was nice to see someone had that passion and creativity to help people,” Lee Balkin said. “He was always talking about stories about how people were so thankful for him. They could walk without pain and be amazed at what he did.”

Sol Balkin practiced podiatry in Glendale for 55 years. He was a writer and researcher whose articles were published in the Journal of the American Medical Assn.

He was also a devoted father who supported his son in many of his pursuits, Lee Balkin said.

“One thing that stands out is how gentle of a person and how kind he was, and how he could make anyone he came into contact with feel special,” Lee Balkin said.

Sol Balkin was born in Chicago on April 19, 1926, to immigrant parents. He attended the University of Chicago, where he earned his degree in podiatric medicine in 1953.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Janelle, an artist, who worked with him in his practice; son Lee; stepson Winston Grimes and granddaughter Karlee Balkin.

A memorial is pending.