Name: Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home
Address: Silver Spring, MD

Ira was an extraordinary man! Our family has known him since the mid 1970's, when my mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. He stayed by our side, visiting our home after work several times a week once mom was too ill to travel.  It was Ira who was there the day my mom died, and had to chase me down the street, in January! I was 12, not sure where I was going, just in shock I guess.  Ira finally got me, and put his arms around me and we both cried.  The neighbors must of thought we lost our mind, neither of us had a coat on and it was very cold.  We kept in touch throughout all of the years, and he made a point to visit my @ holy cross after all 3 of my children were born.  The compassion that Ira Brecher had was amazing!  He was one of a kind and this earth is so much better for having him in it.  Zekher tzadik Livrakha translatedfrom jewish text means -may the memory of the righteous be a blessing.  Jodi Kelley-Leathers & family

I had the locker next to his at Holy Cross Hospital. He was always helpful with advice for a young surgeon in the 1980s. He was a good man
 Allan Brecher MD.

Please accept my delayed condolences.  As aging and  fellow  Gerihatricks we usually skated together  in the same grouping.   I told him each time we played together that he was my hero, still playing in his mid-80"s.

Dr. Brecher served as a Deputy Medical Examiner for the OCME for nearly 30 years, during which time he worked closely with our forensic investigators to help review and investigate deaths occurring in Montgomery County. The care he provided his patients and the citizens of Maryland, in both life and death, was unparalleled. Our office and the State of Maryland are eternally grateful for his service. On behalf of the staff at the OCME, we express our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. He will always be remembered and will truly be missed. 

- Dr. Dean, Maryland OCME

So sorry to hear of Dr. Brecher's passing. He was an institution at Montgomery County Medical Society too. He served as president in 1987 and was still active in our association. I saw him last at our installation of officers in late April. He was always so interested in the work of the Society and was always so kind to me. He will be missed.

Ira was a great friend and mentor to so many of us. His legacy at Holy Cross is legendary - more than 50 years on the medical staff, Chair of Surgery and President of the Staff, a leader in surgical education and a confidant to all. He joined the staff as a young surgeon around the time my father was President of the Staff, and was still incredibly active during my almost 20 years as CMO.  I cherish the hours we’d spend together  in my office talking of medicine, hockey, fishing and hundreds of other topics. Ira will be missed - he was one in a million. Rest in peace my friend.

As others have noted, Dr. Brecher served as medical director for the Fire Services Advanced Life Support Program for a number of years. In this role, he was instrumental in the County’s EMS becoming one of the best and most advanced on the East Coast. He worked with the staff of the Dept of Fire & Rescue to develop and implement advanced medical protocols based on data from research. He assisted with the training of personnel, supervised the quality assurance program for prehospital EMS, and coordinated the prehospital services with the local hospitals and regional and state EMS authorities. 
Most important Dr. Brecher was our friend. He was there when someone needed professional counsel or even personal advice. When a close friend of many of us and leader in the BCC Rescue Squad, Bob Melanie, died suddenly, Dr. B. offered to take his family and friends out on the Chesapeake Bay to spread Bob’s ashes. Bob was a sailor, too, like Dr. Brecher. Dr. B did all of this while maintaining his busy surgical practice. I don’t think many people know of all he did for the health and welfare of the community, and it is important that he be recognized and remembered. As you can see by the many tributes, those of us who were blessed to work with him have not forgotten him.
My condolences to the Brecher family and friends. I also want to thank the Brecher family for sharing Dr. Brecher with us and for his life-saving services to Montgomery County.

I started working with Ira in 1980 where I did daily rounds with him on 4 East at HCH. He even took a group of nurses sailing on his boat "Suture Self" once many years ago.  I just spoke to him a month ago and had no idea that conversation would be our last, but I am grateful for having had it. I even had a few Medical Examiner calls from him over the years.  He will truly be missed.

We just ran into each other two weeks ago in the hallway at Holy Cross! It was great to see you.  Now I will cherish our last conversation.

I can't believe that this great surgeon and teacher is gone. He was always so good to all of us in the ER. May you rest in peace knowing how many  patients you made better and how many of us you taught. You will be missed.

I was an RN on staff  at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md.,  for 41 years, until my retirement in 2017.     I came to know Dr.  Brecher as a very caring, astute, and skilled surgeon.   He helped to
shape so many of us on both, the nursing and medical staff, with his teachings and gentle guidance   His approach was always patient and delivered in a manner that was clear, concise and, at times, infused with humor and anecdotal pearls.   
He was an asset to his patients, the staff, and the community he served though his affiliation with the Emergency Medical Services.  .   My heartfelt condolences to his family and all who knew him and whose lives he touched.

Ira was an institution at Holy Cross Hospital. His dedication to education influenced the life and careers of innumerable medical students and surgical residents. His support of the hospital’s mission and vision was greatly appreciated. Ira was direct and always able to speak his truth. His observations, wisdom and guidance were valued and appreciated. I will miss him tremendously.

I had the pleasure of knowing Dr Brecher in many areas. He gave me my Paramedic  Status in 1984  when he was Medical Director with Montgomery County. Then we worked closely together with the Medical Examiners Office  up until most recent.  He was a great doctor who provided much needed guidance in all arenas
Thoughts and prayers to the family

I always told IRA that he was my hero, still playing in his 80's, a great role model for all of his teammates.  I usually got to the rink early for games, but he always beat me there. He was a wonderful man and a great friend.  We will all miss him greatly.

"We can shed tears that he is gone
Or we can smile because he has lived".

As an RN who worked with Dr. Brecher while at HCH and as a daughter of a patient, he was always a caring physician who listened to his nurses and trusted them to know their jobs.  Very rarely did he get upset with us and was always willing to explain, teach and help us understand why. He will be missed. sending thoughts and prayers to all of the family.

I got to know Ira Brecher during his many years as our Medical Director for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. He was a kind man, and a consummate professional who taught me and so many others.  He served us well.  In between lessons about heart blocks and beta blockers, we also talked hockey and boats.  RIP Dr. Brecher.

I am very sorry to hear of Dr Beecher passing. I worked closely with him when he was Medical Director of the EMS program in Montgomery County.   He was always there to help do  what ever I needed for the paramedics. He was so nice to work with. My condolences to his family

Our deepest condolences. 

Matt & I knew Dr. Brecher from our time as Volunteer Paramedics in Montgomery County. He was tough, but fair & had an interesting sense of humor. 

I’m sure I would not have become the Paramedic I was without his understanding & knowledge.

So very sorry to learn of Dr. Brecher's passing. Dr. Brecher was the dedicated Medical Director for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service for many years. This was a time consuming sacrifice as the job was nearly voluntary and required many hours of effort. We were very fortunate to have Dr. Brecher's steady surgical hand in guiding our Emergency Medical Services. He oversaw and approved many hundreds of newly trained and re-certifying paramedics whose oversight for their licenses were his responsibility. May Dr. Brecher Rest In Peace and May His Memory Be A Blessing.

My condolences go out to his family he certified myself to practice as a paramedic in Montgomery County fire and rescue a great man.

Farewell to a great teammate and wonderful guy.  Ira always had a smile and encouraging word for all.

We are very sorry to hear of Ira's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jane and the rest of his family. 

- Morgan, Brian, Grace, Scott, and Murray

OBITUARY

Ira N Brecher MD

1 October, 1934 – 21 November, 2023

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

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