David Sperling

March 26, 1928 – March 2, 2015

David Sperling, born in Birmingham, AL on March 26, 1928 passed on March 2, 2015 in Birmingham. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Natalie Gorden Sperling, his parents, Isadore Sperling and Evelyn Sokol Sperling and his sister, Dvorah Sperling Joseph. He is survived by his four children: Peter (Vicky) of New Orleans, LA, Andrew of Washington, DC, James of Santa Cruz, CA and Elisabeth Jordan (Charles) of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Andrew, Elliot, Frances, Olivia, Madeline, Isabel and Natalie.

David was a graduate of Phillips High School and Birmingham Southern College. He received a Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Kentucky. He also serviced in the United States Air Force and was discharged in a 2nd Lt. in 1954. While preparing to start medical school, he met Natalie Gorden of Pontotoc, MS at the University of Alabama. They were married on June 10, 1956 in Memphis, TN . He later attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO where he received his MD in 1959. After surgical training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, he opened his private general surgical practice in Birmingham in 1965.

For over 30 years, Dr. Sperling not only provided his patients and their families with care and compassion in their time of need, he also provided Baptist Medical Center Montclair and later, Trinity Medical Center with outstanding leadership. Serving as Senior Vice President for Medical Education, he tirelessly dedicated himself to the training of future generations of physicians. Dr. Sperling also served with distinction as President of the Medical Staff, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief of the Division of General Surgery at Baptist Montclair. He was also a Fellow of American College of Surgeons and a member of the Birmingham Surgical Society.

His family would like to acknowledge his caregivers Linda Hinson, and especially Jimmie Harvey, MD for their compassion and tireless efforts on his behalf. After a private graveside service on March 5, the family will receive guests at Temple Emanuel beginning at 10:00 am. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 at Temple Emanuel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Birmingham Museum of Art.