Dr. Edward Gipstein

New London - Dr. Edward Gipstein, 105, of 175 Parkway North, New London, died peacefully at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010. His family was with him.

Born in October, 1904, in Hartford, Ed Gipstein came to New London as a child. He excelled at school, achieving an "A" average for his years at Bulkeley High School and winning numerous awards there. He was granted a scholarship to Harvard University, where he graduated in 1927. He became a lifelong booster of all things Harvard.

Gipstein earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. In 1931, while still in medical school, he worked as the staff physician for the Reuben & Cherry Exposition, a well-known carnival that travelled throughout the South, Midwest and Canada. In 1938, he studied Cardiology in London and Paris in order to become a specialist in that emerging field. In the early days, he even brought his own EKG machine to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, which did not yet have one.

Dr. Gipstein maintained his practice in Cardiology and Internal Medicine in New London for more than fifty years. He also served the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in a number of leadership roles, including Chair of the Cardiology Department and EKG Panel, Chief of Medicine, Chief of Staff, and Director of Medical Education. Long before it became mandatory, Dr. Gipstein developed programs of continuing education for Lawrence & Memorial's doctors, featuring national and international experts in many medical specialties. He also pioneered educational programs for the nursing staff. In 2004, in honor of his 100th birthday, the hospital named one of its Cardiac Catheterization Labs after him.

Dr. Gipstein was a moving force and visionary at the hospital, and much beloved by his patients and respected by his peers. Always dapper and compassionate, he was from the old school of medicine, which valued a doctor's bedside manner and involvement with his patients as much as technology and tests.

Ed Gipstein met the love of his life, Edith "Fuzzy" Glassenberg when she was a child. They met again in the 1940's, and were married in 1947, at the roof garden of the Mohican Hotel. Though she was twenty years younger and many said it would last only six months, they quickly became an inseparable pair and began what would be 62 years of marriage. They traveled the world on tours sponsored by the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, where Fuzzy was a lecturer, curator and tour leader, and through Ed's medical conventions and seminars. And when professional travel didn't call them, they still traveled just about everywhere, often with friends along. Ed loved the slow glide of barges through Europe's canals, a fine meal in Paris, a camel ride in Egypt, or a night at the casino in Monte Carlo. Venice, Italy, became a second home for the Gipsteins, and they returned there many times.

Dr. Gipstein's life spanned the entire twentieth century. He lived to see the advent of cars, airplanes, radio, TV, computers, two world wars, space travel, the internet and unimaginable advances in his own field of medicine. Through it all, he managed to keep an open mind and somehow keep pace with the rapidly changing world around him. He was someone cast adrift from an earlier time who always managed to find solid footing wherever he came ashore. And he never lost his appreciation for a pretty girl, a good boxing match, or a plate of clams casino.

In many ways, Ed Gipstein lived a charmed life. When asked the secret to his longevity, he always answered "moderation and good genes." Indeed, despite the advice he gave to his patients, he enjoyed a martini most days, often feasted on steak, smoked the occasional cigar and never exercised. But with a smile he would add that the real secret was Fuzzy, who doted on him and kept his world on an even keel. Ed lived at home until the day of his passing, tended to by Fuzzy and, for the past several years, a live-in care-giver, Norris Laidley.

Ed and Fuzzy were married for 62 years, and he worshipped her, often quite vocally, reminding those who needed no reminding how special she was as a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. His life revolved around her, she was the sun that gave his heart warmth and his life direction.

Just as he was faithful and loving to his wife, he was loving and supportive of his sons, always in their corner as they pursued their own interests and lives. He was a constant worrier, but those who knew him knew the worry came out of his intense love for family and friends.

Dr. Gipstein was known as an impeccable and stylish dresser. From his college days, he was an excellent pool player, and he enjoyed the occasional game of pool at the Thames Club with his friends. In addition to the Thames Club, Dr. Gipstein was a Freemason and a past member of the New London Rotary Club and the Explorers Club.

Ed worked very hard, and treated people with compassion. He was a man of integrity, honesty, decency and generosity. Ed believed in the golden rule and it was the guiding principle of his life.

Ed is survived by two sons, Rick, an architect, and his wife, Myra, and Todd, a photographer, writer and media producer, and his wife, Marcia. He also has two grandchildren, Sam and Sophie. He doted on his kids and grandkids, and a visit with Ed often ended with a trip to his magic wallet for a little cash for a good meal.

A wonderful man has passed away, but he lives on in the hearts of his family members, the many he healed, and the friends who shared his travels or a drink in his backyard gazebo. We were all the richer for having known Ed Gipstein and the love he gave us for more than a century.

There will be a celebration of Ed's life in the spring.

Donations in Ed's memory may be made to the Dr. Edward and Fuzzy Gipstein Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut or to the Development Fund of the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.