Dr. Jerome Lowenstein

Born in 1933 he lived his life in New York, playing street hockey on 183rd street and later commuting downtown to attend NYU undergraduate and medical school, the same place he later served as the division chief of Nephrology, and where he founded the NYU Humanist Medicine Program and remained an Emeritus professor in the Department of Medicine. Over the course of 60 years he contributed to the education of thousands of students and house staff. He not only taught medicine, but introduced them to the art of medicine.

At the age of 19, while working as a counselor at University Settlement Camp, he met his wife Lois. They spent the next 69 years together exploring the world — working in an orphanage in Lima, Peru, teaching at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, living in London, practicing his Spanish in small towns of Mexico, venturing to unexpected places with friends and family.

He authored six books, spending many summers on a Maine deck writing. He understood the complex and necessary relationship between medicine and literature, which is why he founded the Bellevue Literary Press, helping foster generations of voices at the intersection of arts and science.

He was a beloved friend. He had a particular bond with a group of fellow doctors with whom he bought the “4 Docs Farm” in the Hudson Valley, where he spent winters cross country skiing between the apple trees and gathering on the ice skating pond, and summers growing basil to make pesto with his family.

He enjoyed weekends of playing duets on the flute. He created memorable songs on the banjo for occasions big and small including his kids and 2 granddaughters weddings. He was an avid hockey fan, loyal to his Rangers and loved a lunch time game of long ball on the Squash court.

He was a loving father to Dr. Benjamin (Beth) and the late Lissa Florman (Jon).

He was an adoring grandfather to 6 wonderful grandchildren, Hannah (Josh), Lucy, Sylvie (Matt), Ellie, Annie and Sam; and two joyful great-grandchildren, Leo and Levi.

A caring uncle to Scott Sanders (Michelle), Ken Goldstein (Amanda).

A loving husband to Lois.

Donations to be made for Comprehensive Youth Development to be directed, "In Memory of Dr. Jerome Lowenstein for the Lissa Florman Eyeglass fund" is in the link below; along with donations to be made to Bellevue Literary Press.