Dr. Lester Kalisher

Dr. Lester Kalisher, MD, of Maplewood, New Jersey, and a longtime resident of Livingston, NJ for more than 40 years, passed away on March 6, 2026.

Dr. Kalisher had a distinguished career in medicine and radiology. For nearly 30 years, he served as Clinical Director of the Department of Radiology, Head of the Residency Program, and Chief of the Mammography and Breast Imaging Section at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. Prior to that, he was Head of the Mammography and Soft Tissue Section and Acting Chief of the Ambulatory Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. He also held academic appointments as Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School and Weill Cornell Medical College.

A prolific researcher and respected leader in his field, Dr. Kalisher authored more than 70 articles in leading peer-reviewed journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Cancer, and Breast. His work helped advance the understanding and detection of breast cancer, and he was widely regarded by colleagues as a leading expert in breast imaging. Throughout his career, he was also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of radiologists.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Lester was a devoted husband, father, brother, partner, and friend. He was admired by his peers and loved by those who knew him for his kindness, warmth, and sense of humor.

Dr. Kalisher was born in London during World War II, during the Battle of Britain, while his parents endured the bombing of the city. At the age of six, he emigrated to Detroit, Michigan with his parents and his beloved sister, Madeleine “Mandy” Fisher, who recently passed away.

In 1963, while a young medical student at Wayne State University, Lester was set up on a blind date with Sheila Cohen. They were married on May 8, 1966—Lester’s birthday—and shared more than 52 happy years together until Sheila’s passing in 2019. Lester also proudly served as a physician and Naval officer aboard a destroyer escort during the Vietnam era. Later, after his retirement from medicine, he took up the challenge of learning golf and loved spending time perfecting his swing.

He is survived by his son, Aaron Kalisher, and daughter, Lisa Kalisher Rivero, and their spouses, Deb Cohan Kalisher and Luis Rivero; and by his grandchildren, Samuel, Tanner, and Amelia (Mia). Lester also shared the last seven years of his life with his partner, Barbara Weisenfeld, who was by his side until the end.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charitable organization of your choice.

The family will be receiving guests at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Rd, Livingston, New Jersey 07039, on March 9, 2026, from 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm followed by the burial at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1098 Woodbridge Center Dr, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095, US, on March 9, 2026.