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Joseph Black Obituary
October 27, 1939 - June 17, 2025
Dr. Joseph Thomas Black, a devoted husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, and neurologist, died peacefully at his home in Clayton on June 17, 2025, at the age of 85.
Joe is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Julie; his son Hugh (Amy); grandsons Oliver and Charlie; stepsons Matt (Jennifer) and Ken; nephew Michael; and his dog Jazzy.
Born in Rochester, New York, Joe earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and his medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. He began his training at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in 1965, served as a doctor in the Air Force and later joined the private practice of Levy, Berg, and Weiss. As a longtime teacher in the Department of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, he led the neurology resident morning report for 15 years, training hundreds of physicians in the art and science of neurology. In recognition of his contributions, a conference room at Barnes was named in his honor upon his retirement.
A former marathon runner and avid cyclist, Joe medaled in many national and international races, including a gold at the 2024 National Championship time trial at age 84. Joe possessed a love of adventure travel, a passion for scholarship, and a boundless sense of humor. He exhibited generosity, patience and wisdom to those who came to him in difficult times. Most of all, Joe was a man of substance and character who will be remembered with love and respect by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) or the APA of Saint Louis (www.apamo.org). Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Black
3 Entries
Deans P Lynch
July 7, 2025
I had heard great things about Dr. Black long before meeting him, as his (first) in-laws (HIllard and Omaretta Vahle) were close friends of my parents (Katy and Danny Lynch). My one and only meeting with Dr. Black came on a gorgeous summer afternoon back in 1976 or 1977, when I was 21 or 22, after I, while cycling on Conway Road, just east of Ballas Road, was knocked off my feather-light Motobecane sport bike by a (hit-and-run) car into his front yard. Dazed and bleeding from my head, I lay on the ground looking up until Dr. Black (who had rushed out of his house) looked down at me and, in the most engaging way, introduced himself as "Dr. Joe" and explained that he was going to check me out and stick with me until he was sure I would be AOK. I was astounded at his caring demeanor-as astounded as he was to learn that I (this young and random stranger who spilled onto his front lawn) knew that he was a practicing neurosurgeon! I have never forgotten Dr. Black's empathy and kindness over the decades since, and it pleases me greatly to learn his life proved long and filled with great personal happiness and professional success. My prayers and condolences go out to everyone who treasured him.
David Abel
July 6, 2025
My late father, Dr. Charles Abel, was a colleague of Dr. Black´s at Barnes Hospital. Dad really loved the guy and consulted with him frequently. He spoke of him at home at times and typically because of a super funny joke Dr. Black shared w him. One time Dad tried to recite one of the jokes but was laughing so hard w tears he could barely get the punch line out. Rest in peace Dr. Black.
Vincent Glenn Diuguid
July 6, 2025
when I was teen age and young adult Dr. Black was my nuerologist because i suffer from seizure but grew out of them thank god for him and his care to me prayers to his family
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