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MICHAEL TAPPER Obituary

TAPPER--Dr. Michael L., died at age 75 on March 6, 2020. Son of Dr. Albert Tapper and Jean Leitner of Queens NY, Dr. Tapper graduated from Columbia college and Columbia medical school and trained in internal medicine at Harlem Hospital, and in infectious disease at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He served for many years as Chief of Infectious Disease at Lenox Hill Hospital where he also established and directed an early New York State-sponsored center for AIDS research and care. Dr. Tapper sat on several CDC committees, was past president of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists and a member of a number of New York State and New York City Departments of Health task forces, and was a frequent speaker at national and international HIV and epidemiology meetings. He was uncompromising in his advocacy for patients under his care and served as a role model for successive generations of housestaff. Apart from his medical activities, Dr. Tapper was extremely committed to Columbia College, a dedicated participant in its fencing team as an undergraduate, and was a lifelong lover of music and supporter of the Metropolitan Opera. He is survived by his sister, Helaine Gold. Dr. Tapper will be extremely missed by friends and colleagues. Memorial to be held at Columbia University at a later date. Donations in his name can be made to Columbia College, undergraduate school.

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 10, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for MICHAEL TAPPER

17 Entries

Randolph-Macon College, Lynchburg, VA

April 5, 2024

In the summer of 1958 my sister and I were privileged to accompany our mother to a National Endowment for the Sciences seminar in mathematics and science for high school teachers, at Randolph Macon College in Lynchburg, VA. Michael was there with his father, Dr. Albert Tapper, and his mother. I don't recall meeting his sister; she must have not been with the family that summer. I was 15, Michael, 12 or 13. It was a fondly-remembered fun summer for the several children; I and perhaps Michael sat in on some of the lectures and participated in some labs, but mostly organized our own fun, mainly badminton played on the tennis courts. We shared an interest in science fiction. I learned something about Judaism and attended synagogue a time or two with Michael's family. Perhaps that led eventually to my pursuing German literature focusing on the Holocaust as an academic specialty.
Michael and I corresponded sporadically perhaps a little beyond our college years.
It was clear that Michael was destined to make his mark in the world in a positive way. It is evident from reading the many testimonials here that he accomplished that many times over. I was saddened to read of his untimely death from cancer.
I note from his obituary that Michael was an avid fencer in college; oddly enough, so was my daughter.
Dr. James V. Wehner

Rob Karlin, MD

May 11, 2023

Mike was a fine doctor and a gentle person.
I recall how closely he followed the patients and how readily he changed antibiotic therapy as soon as the cultures and sensitivities changed. It was nice to bump into him in the various wards and in the ICU. It was sociable and relaxing to meet him in the pool for a swim after a long day.
I've only now learned of his death.
I've said Kaddish.
He should rest in peace, in love, and in the broadest happiness.

Brett Moskowitz

March 4, 2023

I often wonder what Michael would have contributed to the COVID pandemic discussion and response and wish I could have benefited from his wisdom and experience over these 3 years. He spent his life preparing for this moment and it saddens and frustrates me that we don´t have access his unique perspective and mind.

Professor Steve Green

November 5, 2022

I first met Dr Michael Tapper at the World AIDS conference in Stockholm, 1988. He was a friend of a friend. I found him not only to be very knowledgeable but also kind and helpful. I wanted to come over from England to spend some time working in New York City, and he put me in contact with some very impressive physicians at MSKCC, where he had previously worked, and as a consequence I was able to spend time there. The experience I gained was immensely valuable to me and has stood me in good stead through my professional life. I will always be grateful to Michael for extending a helping hand. May he rest in peace.

Edilberto J. Calamanan

June 20, 2020

I felt saddened to know that Dr. Michael L. Tapper has passed away. I came to know him when I took care of her parents for 17 years till their deaths. He was a very caring person which he had manifested in caring for his parents. Hes like an elder brother to me. When he was diagnosed with carcinoma, he called me to tell me about the bad news. I offered him my help but he told me that he lost too much weight that he did not want me to see him in that condition. From time to time we spoke and gave him him encouragement to fight it. The last time I spoke with him was late February but then I was in the Philippines and was locked down due to pandemic. I am now back in NY but shocked to know that he has passed away. I felt so sad that I was not able to see him & offered the help that I could have done before his death. I will pray for the repose of your soul. Rest In Peace Dr. Michael. You will surely be missed.

Allison Menkes

March 21, 2020

Dr. Tapper was my son's doctor when he came down with a mysterious illness about 7 years ago. He came to the hospital on Thanksgiving eve to be there for my son but also for me. He stayed by our side not only until my son was stabilized but until iI was calm which was about 2 in the morning. He was thorough in researching my son's history and uncompromising in his care. We became friends and my heart goes out to his friends, colleagues and family. The world lost a special person.

Dan KURITZKES

March 20, 2020

Mike was a wonderful colleague and friend. We shared many great experiences around the world over 25 years. He will be greatly missed by all.

Eric Daar

March 20, 2020

A great friend, colleague and physician. I will think of him and miss him daily. Rest in peace my dear friend....

Brett Moskowitz

March 16, 2020

I knew Michael for more than 20 years. I was an editor of HIV and influenza materials he helped create for physicians. We became friends and stayed in touch. He was always generous with his time and advice. I will miss him. Deepest condolences. Brett Moskowitz ([email protected])

Alan Pollock

March 16, 2020

Mike was a colleague of mine at Lenox Hill Hospital for more than 40 years. He was respected educator who always "kept the bar high," a humanist,an uncompromising chief of the Infectious Disease Service, and a doctor who felt that the patient should always come first.His style of practice was about getting a careful history and a thoughtful analysis of the data. As future generations of physicians are trained, that style will be missed.

Madeline Spenillo

March 14, 2020

Met Dr Tapper at Sloan Kettering 1973-75 when I worked in clinical microbiology lab. Always concerned and caring. My condolences to his family

March 13, 2020

I met Mike during my undergraduate years at Columbia College. and continued our friendship through the years at P&S. He was an involved and unusual person who continued that style throughout his career.
Gary Foulks, MD

Stephen Shafer

March 13, 2020

We met the first day of medical school by force of alphabetical proximity and worked together for the next seven years. Mike was an inner-directed person with an outgoing personality and a big heart.

Mark Barnes

March 11, 2020

Mike was a special person who cared very deeply for thousands of patients and who mentored hundreds of residents. He was a great advocate for HIV patients at an early point in the NYC epidemic. Mike will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues.

Ellen Matzer

March 11, 2020

Dr. Tapper, Director of the Lenox Hill Designated AIDS center, we all worked with him to create a unit where patients felt welcome, cared for and loved all the days of their lives

Harold Bornstein, MD

March 10, 2020

Doctor Tapper was a dear friend and wonderful teacher. His presence will be sorely missed by the entire staff of Lenox Hill Hospital.

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