Joost Henri van Adelsberg, MD

was born November 7, 1924 in Indonesia of Dutch parents and he died July 7, 2022 with his family by his side. He was 97.

He spent his early childhood in Brussels, Belgium and his family came to the United States (California) in 1940.  After graduating from Glendale High School (Los Angeles) he enlisted into the United States Army eventually becoming a 2nd Lieutenant at the age of 19 (he said it was his greatest accomplishment). He attained his bachelor degree at the  University of Southern California in Bio-chemistry and his Doctorate of Medicine at the University of Amsterdam.

He was a founding physician of Little Company of Mary Hospital Torrance, California established in 1960 and a founder of The Wellness Community South Bay.  Because of his passion for being a doctor he practiced Family Medicine in Torrance for 55 years and his patients knew him as “Dr. Van”.

He loved traveling the world with family and friends and his favorite sport was downhill skiing, even Heli-skiing in the Cascades as he did into his 80s.  He lived by example encouraging his patients to eat healthy and exercise regularly.  He was still Spinning (indoor cycling) in the last month of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Paula, his four children, Marika (Nate) of Portland, Joost (Tracy) of Encinitas, Ingrid of Novato, and Karlina of Redondo, and their mother Hendrika of Encinitas.  He has seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  His blended family consists of three step-children and 7 step-grandchildren.

There will be a Private Celebration of his life.