Don Lipsitt, M.D., of Cambridge and Marion, formerly of Brookline, died peacefully Tuesday morning at the age of 96 at Mt. Auburn Hospital, where he had been Founding Director of the Psychiatry Department. Predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Merna (Pilot), brother Lewis, and sister-in-law Lois Alex, he is survived by companion Betty Grossman; sons Eric (Brenda Eskenazi) and Steven (Mara Krechevsky); grandchildren Jonah Michael Lipsitt, Daria Krechevsky Lipsitt, & Caleb Krechevsky Lipsitt; and brothers Paul (Brooke), Cyrus (Carole), & Peter, (and Lewis's widow Edna).
A pioneer in the field of consultation-liaison psychiatry, Don was widely published as an author and editor of articles, chapters, & books on general hospital psychiatry, factitious illness, hypochondria, & somatization, and a clinical professor at Harvard Medical School. His most recent book was published in March 2023, and he was at work on his next book at the time of his death.
A graduate of Tabor Academy, NYU, Boston University, and University of Vermont Medical School, he was a lifelong, avid lover of jazz and classical music. He led his own swing band in high school, joined his college orchestra, and played chamber music in medical school.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 17 at 10:00am at Levine Chapel in Brookline followed by a graveside service at Sharon Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center (https://tinyurl.com/SPLCenter-Donate) and Doctors Without Borders (https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/)
