Arnold Theodore Sigler

Throughout a distinguished medical career Dr. Sigler was admired for his knowledge, integrity, and commitment to the care of generations of patients and their families. Pediatrician, professor, and most of all, family man, he exemplified how a life can be well lived—with integrity, humor, modesty, and human decency.

Arnie was born in Stamford, Connecticut in 1934. As a teenager he became an accomplished magician, performing on television as The Teenage Trickster. He graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1956, and then moved back east to attend the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. He went on to pursue his internship, fellowship, and residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital (1960–64), in Baltimore, Maryland, where he specialized in pediatrics with a focus on hematology and oncology, and served as director of the Pediatric Oncology Clinic. In Baltimore, he met and married the love of his life, Tammra Katz, an art student at the Maryland Institute of Art. They married in 1964 and embarked on a life together, raising three children as Tammra went on to pursue her career as a painter.

During his medical training, Dr. Sigler fulfilled his military service as Captain in the US Public Health Service, researching the relation between radiation and Down Syndrome. In 1965, he started a pediatrics practice in Baltimore with Hopkins colleagues, which grew to nine partners during his tenure, and is still thriving today as Maryland Pediatric Group. Alongside his practice, he served as Director of Pediatric Hematology at Sinai Hospital, while consulting at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital and continuing his academic pursuits as Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

In Baltimore, Arnie also became a dedicated Orioles fan, and was regularly spotted sitting behind the home team dugout in his colorful bowties. In the 1980s, he became the unofficial “team Doc” to many of the players’ children and joined forces with the Orioles’ wives to create the Orioles’ Wives Auction, a fundraiser for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. He also served on the boards of the Baltimore Zoo and the Baltimore County Board of Health.

He retired in 2000 and eventually, he and Tammra migrated south and became residents of Naples, Florida, where he was active in the community and served on the local board of Planned Parenthood. He said, regarding retirement, that what he missed most was his patients.

Arnie’s greatest joy was his family and the time they spent together. Model railroader, ski bum, gardener, and chef, he will be remembered for his intelligence, kindness, endless enthusiasm, and unforgettable hugs.

Dr. Sigler was pre-deceased by his parents, Dr. Abram Sigler and Lena Brown Sigler, and his sister Selma Buchsbaum. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Tammra Katz Sigler, and children Jennifer Sigler of Somerville, Massachusetts; Jeremy Sigler and Cory Reynolds of Brooklyn, New York; Jon and Amanda Sigler of Austin, Texas; and grandchildren Samson Kloosterboer and Floor Beeren of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Sophia Kloosterboer and Gido Cuppens of Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Colette Sigler of Brooklyn, New York; Jack Sigler of Austin, Texas; Cooper Sigler of Austin, Texas; and his dear nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.

Arnold’s family is beyond grateful for the dedication of those who have cared for him at the Bentley Village Care Center, Naples Community Hospital, and Avow Hospice.

Contributions in Arnold’s memory may be made to Beth El Congregation, Baltimore; Temple Shalom, Naples; Avow Hospice, Naples; and the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Tammra & Arnold Sigler Gift Fund (Please contact Paula Shell at [email protected] or 443-570-5073).