Max A Kahn

The letters M. D., while crucial, tell only a fraction of Max Kahn’s story — beloved husband,

father, brother, friend, physician, teacher, scholar, baseball fan, and chef. Born June 22, 1947 in

Burlington, Vermont, Max graduated Burlington High School in 1965 as a Presidential Scholar.

Drawn to both science and spirituality from a deeply humanistic perspective, Max graduated cum

laude from Harvard College with an AB in Chemistry in 1969, toyed with the idea of rabbinical

school, then settled on the pursuit of pediatric medicine — a passion that required mind, heart

and soul.

Max graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1975.

He served as intern and resident at Bronx Medial Center (Jacobi Hospital) Albert EinsteinCollege of Medicine then went on to practice pediatrics at North Central Bronx Hospital. He was

a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In 1979, Max co-founded Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine LLP, which became New

York City’s largest, non-hospital-sponsored private pediatric clinic. Thousands of children and

their families were fortunate to experience the intelligence, compassion, common sense, humor

and love Max brought to his work every day. The care he provided was an inspiration to others;

who but Max would find themselves lovingly treated for a complex medical condition by a

former patient? His many gifts were also put to use as a clinical instructor for Albert Einstein

College of Medicine and Mount Sinai Hospital and School of Medicine and as Clinical Associate

Professor of Medicine at the New York University Medical Center and School of Medicine. Not

even Elmo could resist Max; Sesame Street Parents magazine enlisted him as Medical Advisor

from 1996-2001.

Max and family made their home in Dobbs Ferry, New York for 24 years where he

engaged fully in the community, serving on the board of the Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation

and as board member of Temple Beth Shalom in Hastings-on-Hudson. His pediatric practice

expanded to nearby Scarsdale, New York, growing from two physicians to ten. Max could not

walk down a street without people recognizing him in locations as far-flung as Cuba, Israel,

Thailand, and London.

Although “retiring” in 2017, Max continued to see patients and make house calls while

pursuing his many interests beyond the medical field — from reading ancient Greek, to

Talmudic studies, to following major league baseball. An avid scholar from an early age, Max

continually amazed with his broad range of abilities. Equally at home cheering in Yankee

Stadium, discussing politics over martinis or analyzing Maimonides while braising lamb, Maxunderstood and could explain the most esoteric and complex ideas with clarity and kindness. The

beauty and complexity of life never ceased to amaze him, and he made note of those wonders

often. His curiosity and open embrace of the world was inspiring.

Max lived fully and fearlessly, finally succumbing to complications from heart disease on

September 12, 2019, in New York City. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Lampe; daughter

Elizabeth Johanna Kahn, son Harrison William Kahn; sister Hazel Keimowitz; and nieces Jessica

Keimowitz (Polly Crozier) and Alison Spodek (Brent Spodek).

He will always be loved and sorely missed.

Services are on Sunday, September 15 at 11:30AM at “The Riverside,” 76th Street and

Amsterdam Avenue in New York City. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple

Beth Shalom, 740 North Broadway, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706