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ROBERT LASZLO BERGER M.D.

FUNERAL HOME

Levine Chapels

470 Harvard Street

Brookline, Massachusetts

ROBERT BERGER Obituary

Name: Service for ROBERT LASZLO BERGER M.D.
Start: 2016-01-06T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Levine Chapels

BERGER, Robert Laszlo, M.D. Of Brookline, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2016. Most recently, he was Director of Clinical Research, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Previously, he was Chief of Cardiac Surgery at St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Boston University Hospital/Boston City Hospital. He pioneered the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), an important innovation in cardiac surgery that saved many lives, and he was a devoted professor and mentor to many medical residents. He was incredibly devoted to his patients and often heard back from them years later to thank him for his gift of life. A Holocaust survivor from Hungary, he was instrumental in planning Boston's Holocaust Memorial and served in a leadership role with Schechter Holocaust Services at Jewish Family & Children's Service. Dr. Berger was a generous, caring and passionate father, husband, friend, surgeon, researcher, storyteller and joker. For 44 years, the beloved husband of Dr. Patricia Downs Berger. Devoted father of Shana Berger and Ilana Berger and her partner Eli Dueker. Loving Zaidie of Hannah and Rosie. Fond brother of Thomas Berger, Gabriela Gordon and the late Magda Burger. Caring son-in-law of Elinor Fosdick Downs. Dear uncle to his nieces and nephews. Services at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, BROOKLINE on Wednesday, January 6 at 11 am. Burial at Or Emet Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury. Shiva will be at the family's home following burial until 4 pm and 7-9 pm, Thursday 1-4 pm and 7-9 pm and Friday 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations in Robert Berger's memory be made to Schechter Holocaust Services at Jewish Family & Children's Service, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451. In an effort to promote and enhance the capacity of survivors of Nazi persecution to age with dignity, Schechter Holocaust Services provides confidential, comprehensive assistance to survivors and their families at no cost.

Levine Chapels, Brookline

617-277-8300

www.levinechapel.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Jan. 2 to Jan. 4, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT BERGER

11 Entries

lori nalbandian

September 20, 2017

I m so sorry for your loss and sorry I did not know in time to attend services. I worked with Dr. Berger as an Administrator at University Hospital for many years. He was a kind, gentle and caring man who I feel privileged to have known. My own mother was very ill and passed. Dr. Berger was so very kind and caring during her illness ie: talking to her doctors, keeping me informed and on her passing he called me at home to be sure I was OK. This was so comforting and kind especially coming from a man who was so very busy saving lives. He also thoughtfully sent flowers at her wake. For this and many more kind acts I witnessed from him he truly was an amazing human being who really cared about people assnd their well being. I will never forget him and am privileged to have been s recipient f his kindness. His legacy will live forever.
My best to you and your family.
Lori Lehane Satariano Nalbandian

January 13, 2016

Dear Berger Family,
I met Latzi only a few times on his visits to Australia. He was so warm and engaging. Gabi was always keeping us updated with your news. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing and wish you all comfort.
Debbie Freeman nee Eisenberger
Melbourne, Australia

Denise Pruitt

January 5, 2016

We are sorry for your loss. Bob will live on in our hearts. Love Denise, Jeremey, Jennifer and Jonathan Pruitt-Pope

Michael Gordon

January 5, 2016

Dear Aunt Pati
we send all our love to you Ilana and Shana
here is a brief note that I wrote ;
Our Uncle latzis passing has left huge void for us on the other side of the world
in Australia his sister Gaby has always looked up to him with great admiration and love and boasted proudly of all that he has achieved in science and humanity
old medical and newspaper articles about him have been lovingly kept
He has always been a voice of reason often cropping up suddenly to help resolve any crisis
Uncle Latzi's kind and generous nature was loved by all the family over here especially by my wife Carrie
I have always enjoyed discussing medical and non medical issues with him and was always happy and excited to hear that he was on the phone
I remember some 25 years ago sitting in my car in the carpark of a hospital in Tasmania and hearing a radio broadcast interviewing Latzi about the failures of Nazi medicine - uncle Latzi's influence spread all around the world
Carrie and I are deeply distressed by this huge loss
We send everyone in the family our condolences and love especially aunt Pati Ilana and Shana
Michael Carrie Talia Nathan and Tamar Gordon

January 5, 2016

Dear Pat, Shanna and Ilyana

Nadav Gershuni

January 5, 2016

Dear Mrs. Berger,
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Berger. I didn't have the opportunity to have personally met him, but the fact that he helped many soldiers in the IDF proves that Mr. Berger was a very generous person who loved Israel and the IDF. He helped me pay for a higher education which will be with me for the years to come.
I am sending you and your family my deepest condolences and wish you know no more pain.
Sincerely,
Nadav Gershuni

Charles Stover

January 4, 2016

Hi Pat, Shana and Ilana,

We're very sorry for all of you with Bob's death. We'll always remember his lively personality and humor. We were glad to see him at Wil's service in Maine last summer. What a trooper he's been with his protracted illness. With love from us all. Smokey and Kit

Bruce Mendelsohn

January 4, 2016

Dr. Berger was a loyal and unwavering supporter of Israel and the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces. He and Pat improved immeasurably the lives of many IDF soldiers through the FIDF's IMPACT! Scholarship Program.

One of Dr. Berger's IMPACT! Scholarship students recently wrote: "I would like to thank you for your support and generosity that is making my dream completing my degree in engineering possible. Your donation helps me learn without constant financial worries, and at the same time maintain a normal family life. I am extremely grateful!"

On behalf of the soldiers of the IDF--as well as our entire organization--we offer our deepest condolences... as well as our reassurance that Dr. Berger's legacy will continue.

May his memory be a blessing, as was his support of IDF soldiers.

Bruce Mendelsohn

January 4, 2016

January 3, 2016

Pat and family,
Tom and I are devastated by Bob's passing. I was planning a dinner for the four of us in the new year. He will be greatly missed.--Bonnie Rosse

Susan B Jones

January 3, 2016

Dear Pat, I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts are with you and your family. -- Susan Jones

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results

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Memorial Events
for ROBERT BERGER

Jan

Service

11:00 a.m.

Levine Chapels

470 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446

Jan

Shiva

the family's home

Jan

Shiva

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

the family's home

Jan

Shiva

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

the family's home

Jan

Shiva

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

the family's home

Jan

Shiva

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

the family's home

Funeral services provided by:

Levine Chapels

470 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446

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