Robert Laszlo Berger M.D.

Berger, Robert Laszlo, M.D. of Brookline, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2016. Most recently he was Director of Clinical Research, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Previously he was Chief of Cardiac Surgery at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Boston University Hospital/Boston City Hospital. He pioneered the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), an important innovation in cardiac surgery that saved many lives, and he was a devoted professor and mentor to many medical residents. He was incredibly devoted to his patients and often heard back from them years later to thank him for his gift of life. A Holocaust survivor from Hungary, he was instrumental in planning Boston’s Holocaust Memorial and served in a leadership role with Schechter Holocaust Services at Jewish Family & Children’s Service. Dr. Berger was a generous, caring and passionate father, husband, friend, surgeon, researcher, storyteller and joker. For 44 years the beloved husband of Dr. Patricia Downs Berger. Devoted father of Shana Berger and Ilana Berger and her partner Eli Dueker. Loving Zaidie of Hannah and Rosie. Fond brother of Thomas Berger, Magda Burger and Gabriela Gordon. Caring son-in-law of Elinor Fosdick Downs. Dear uncle to his nieces and nephews.

Services at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline on Wednesday, January 6 at 11:00am. Burial at Or Emet Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury. Shiva will be at the family's home following burial until 4:00pm and 7-9:00pm, Thursday 1-4:00pm and 7-9:00pm and Friday 1-4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations in Robert Berger’s memory be made to Schechter Holocaust Services at Jewish Family & Children’s Service, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451. In an effort to promote and enhance the capacity of survivors of Nazi persecution to age with dignity, Schechter Holocaust Services provides confidential, comprehensive assistance to survivors and their families at no cost.