Making Won Tons with our beginner Chinese class.

I was so sad to hear about the passing of Itamar. We studied abroad in Shanghai together in the 90s. We learned mandarin together and I will never forget his sense of humor and desire for adventure. Dao Ping Lan ( a Chinese name he gave himself because it sounded like a tough guy) added so much spice to our beginning Chinese language class and I will never forget him. My condolences to his family. 

Love, claudette (Loh Gao Di) 

This photo is of me and my friend Dao Ping Lan. Thank you for the laughs! I will never forget you!

I still can’t believe you’re gone even though I wept at your funeral, my tears dripped on your coffin along  with your sweet friends and  Michael, Nily, Yoav and Mina, and of course Levi. I keep this “dignity memorial” page open in a tab on my computer and see it everyday not wanting to delete it. I have multitudes of photos of our adventures and times and still ache to have more with you, and laughs. Yes, the laughs! You are remembered well and missed. Thank you for every moment I had with you. Love, Jill

We are Chrstian and Yaroslava....this heartbreaking notice has touch our heart and soul.
I knew Itamar in USC keck and sometime we called to know the progression of life..he was very proud and happy for his loved Levy.
I hope wherever you are....send a light ray on your son and wife...protect them...go inside their dream...die only who forget....ciao amico mio (g.bye my friend friend)

Graduation from Brown with Seth and Tim, Spring 1997

Itamar and I met in Guatemala while traveling on the same bus.  Itamar's personality, buoyancy, openness, and heart were all apparent in his face and demeanor before we ever spoke.  We met in a market buying figs and spent the next months traveling together on the roof luggage racks of busses where I learned about his time studying medicine in the Garifuna villages of Honduras, his family, and his aspirations.  Years later I bumped into Itamar on thayer street in Providence while he was at Brown and I was at RISD.  Seth, Gabby, Itamar and I were inseparable friends for another beautiful chapter, but it is the Itamar with his feet in lake Atitlan that I see when I hear his name.  My heart is broken.  I did not get to meet Mina and Levi although I followed you and Itamar online.  I think of you everyday now and pass all of my love to you both.  I hope you can eventually find some peace in such a devastating loss and I extend anything I can to your family, anytime.   I will find and send along photos and stories for Levi to have, and I feel grateful that there is a part of him still exploring this world with Itamar's beautiful version of appetite and integrity. 

Some of  my most fondest childhood memories were at Camp Wigwam with Itamar.

We had not spoken in 30 years and then we spoke a month ago.   I am in shock and so sad. 

In Sympathy 

Jonathan Burkan 


Itamar was my neighbor here in Bend, we both moved shortly after one another and immediately started a conversation.  He was such a friendly and approachable person, always a smile on his face and how his eyes and face would light up when he spoke and spent time with Levi, it was the sweetest thing to see.  It was our pleasure to meet Itamar for only a short moment but he made an impact and we will miss saying hello and hearing about his adventures.  May he continue his adventures in heaven and May Levi forever know how much his dad loved him.  Our sincere condolences and prayers to Levi and his family 

Dina Calderon 
Bend OR 

Hawaii will ever be grateful for his contribution in the healthcare field as a physician and friend

Itamar came into our lives during Kristin's residency at UCI. He was her absolute favorite and she loved when she got to work with him. I was a bit jealous of him as she always was talking about him. Eventually we became good friends and I absolutely loved listening to his stories in the ER and of the  "bizzaro world" that existed at the UCI residency program. He became one of our most reliable, trustworthy, and courageous friends as he supported us through some tough times. I personally was blown away by how smart he was. Upon moving to Oregon we spoke at lengths on setting up his new business and loved hearing his excitement and great ideas. I was happy my parents got to know him and hopefully help albeit briefly. As Levi grows up he will learn how blessed he was to have a Father as honorable as Itamar. Mina and Levi...  even though we are on the East Coast your family is an extension of ours, whatever we can do and support you guys we are a phone call/text away!  

Dr. Grunstein was a great clinician and human being. I learned so much from him and he left an everlasting impact in my career. 

I’m so grateful to have met him and to have worked with. 




OBITUARY

Itamar Grunstein

December 11, 1970 – July 17, 2023

Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary & Sunset Hills Memorial Park

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