Robert Buchalter M.D.

1940 - 2017

Robert Buchalter, M.D.

Memphis, TN

Robert Buchalter, M. D., noted Memphis psychiatrist, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Germantown Methodist Hospital after a dignified battle with T- cell lymphoma. He was ten days shy of his 77th birthday. Dr. Buchalter closed his forty-six year psychiatry practice earlier this month.

Robert Buchalter was born on February 7th, 1940 in New York City, New York. He was the son of Sam and Doris Buchalter and moved to Memphis, his mother's hometown, when he was ten years old. He was salutatorian of White Station High School's first graduating class of 1957. He graduated from Memphis State University in 1960 and from University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1964, inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha.

He met his beloved wife, Beverly, in 1960 while playing bridge together in the Memphis State University Student Center. They married in June 1964 and lived in Washington, DC and Cincinnati for Dr. Buchalter's medical internship and psychiatric residency, respectively. He served as Chief Resident at Cincinnati General Hospital until 1968, when he volunteered for the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He treated veterans at Valley Forge Hospital in Phoenixville, PA.

After practicing psychiatry briefly in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Buchalter moved back to Memphis in 1971. He worked at both the VA Hospital and in private practice. During that time, he was affiliated with both Baptist and St. Francis Hospitals. He was a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society and the American Psychiatric Association.

While many will remember Dr. Buchalter for his caring professionalism, others know him as a competitive tennis player, avid golfer, world traveler, reader, and student of life.

He loved all his family. He is survived by Beverly Buchalter, his devoted and loving wife of fifty-two wonderful years. In addition, he leaves a son, Dr. David Buchalter, of Baltimore, MD and a daughter, Dr. Alison B. Segal, of Hartsdale, NY. He leaves daughter-in-law Allison H. Buchalter and son-in-law Jonathan Segal. He adored his 4 beautiful grandchildren – Zachary, Sophie, Dylan, and Ivy. He leaves five younger sisters: June B. Cohen (Richard) of Louisville, CO; Dr. Carol B. Stapp (Will) of Washington, DC; Ilene Buchalter Webber (Mel) of Denver, CO; Sharon Buchalter Shull (Steve) of Calabasas, CA; and Linda Overlie (Tim) of Boulder, CO. He remembered always his 8 nieces and nephews and 5 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Services will be held at the Levy-Cooper Chapel in Temple Israel Cemetery, 1708 Hernando Rd., on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital, The West Clinic, Temple Israel, or charity of your choice.