Harvey Knoernschild M.D.

1934 - 2020

Harvey Knoernschild, MD
August 3, 1934 - November 29, 2020
Resident of Los Gatos
Harvey E. Knoernschild, MD, an outstanding and very much admired surgeon, passed away Nov. 29 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Harvey was born in the city of Kerala, India, where his parents served as Christian missionaries. When he was ten his family returned to the United States and he spent most of his childhood in Lancaster, California, where his father was a Lutheran pastor. He worked on an alfalfa farm, driving a tractor and bailing hay while in high school. He played the violin beautifully. He attended University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 1955. While in college, he learned how to cut students' hair and laughingly stated he was the last of the original barber surgeons. He received his doctorate in medicine from UC Medical School in San Francisco and served for two years in the military at an Indian reservation in Arizona. He completed his surgical residency at Ohio State University. While in Ohio he served in the U.S. Public Health Service conducting ground-breaking research on the early diagnosis of colon cancer. He married his first wife there and they moved to San Jose, California
Harvey was passionate about his profession, a gentleman in every way, and much beloved by his patients. He set up his practice in San Jose and did his surgery at O'Connor and Good Samaritan hospitals and later San Jose Hospital with partners Allen Johnson and Robert Seipel. He was very active on various committees involving quality of care. He was a member of the Santa Clara County Medical Society, the Fellowship of American Surgeons, became Chief of the Surgical Department at San Jose Hospital and in the 1980's president of the medical staff for two years. He received the Leland B. Blanchard Memorial Teaching Award awarded by the Family Practice Residents at San Jose Hospital for excellence in teaching. It was at San Jose Hospital that he met his second wife, Elaine, head of the Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services. They married on Oct. 19, 1980.
Dr. Knoernschild became an editor in 1990 with the publication of The Medical Entrepreneur's Handbook. One of the chapters talks about his role in building and developing a surgical recovery care center, now known as Los Gatos Surgical Center, which opened in 1984. He was influential in the forming of the Cooperative of American Physicians/Mutual Protection Trust, a doctor owned medical malpractice company. He put together plans with several physicians and CAP/MPT was launched in 1978. He served on the board of directors for more than 20 years and was instrumental in its growth to over 12,000 physician members in California. The Combined Health Agencies Drive, CHAD, recognized Harvey's work in advancing research, education, and community service programs of the national health agencies and presented him with plaque in appreciation. He was chairman of the board of CHAD of California from 1977 to 1980.
Besides his medical work, Harvey was extremely active in the community, serving on the board of the American Cancer Society of Santa Clara County in the early '70's and president of the board of trustees of the San Jose Symphony in the 1980's. He was a member of the San Jose Rotary in the 1980's and later the Los Gatos Rotary. He received a commendation from mayor Tom McEnery for his service as a member of the Arts 20/20 Task Force and a Certificate of Recognition from Senator Alfred Alquist for his extraordinary dedication and commitment to the arts.
Harvey liked to travel, garden, ski, play tennis and golf, and his wife loved being with him to participate in these activities. He also enjoyed being a member of La Rinconada Country Club. He will be sorely missed by his wife Elaine, his sister Anna Aseltine, sons Richard, Thomas and William Knoernschild, daughters Garrie Beth Patrino and Kelly Hope Farnsworth, and stepchildren Craig Walker and Leslie Perez Stephenson, plus many beloved grandchildren.
In 2021 we hope to have a Celebration of Life. Donations in his name can be made to The Cure Alzheimer's Fund or a charity of your choice.


View the online memorial for Harvey Knoernschild, MD