Russell Max Steinberg

Russell M. Steinberg, M.D., passed away at age 84 on May 5, 2026, after struggling with a disabling illness for several years. He died peacefully in his sleep while under hospice care in Mission Viejo, California.

Russ was born in Salinas, California, on August 18, 1941, to parents Martin and Eve Steinberg. When he was still a toddler, he and his family moved to Los Angeles where his younger sister, Marcia, was born. Russ excelled in school, sports, and high school ROTC. When he was very young, he read a book on the history of medicine which sparked his interest in science. His dream was to become a physician. After graduating from Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, he attended UCLA, earning a Masters Degree and PhD in Endocrinology. Finally realizing his dream, he was admitted to the Medical College of Ohio (now the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences). At the same time he was a student, he also became a professor at the same medical school, teaching endocrinology. He eventually moved back to Southern California. He briefly opened a small practice in Lake Forest and then accepted a position as pediatrician with the State of California’s Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa. He worked with severely developmentally disabled adults and children for nearly 30 years. During this time, Russ was also a visiting lecturer at the University of California, Irvine.

Russ loved baseball, singing and listening to opera, and good food! After retirement, he consulted as a volunteer with several of the high school baseball teams in the area. His intelligence, creativity, and generosity will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his sister, Marcia, niece, Cara and family (John, Parker, Holly and Kaylan), and nephew, Xander. He was preceded in death by his parents, and nephew Cody.