ARTHUR SPIELMAN Obituary

SPIELMAN--Arthur.

Art was born on March 6, 1947, to Jerry and Sunny, and grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. He was a pioneering figure in sleep research. Art worked at the first sleep center in the United States, his development of Sleep Restriction Therapy is a core component of insomnia treatment, and what became known as the Spielman 3P Model of Insomnia remains a cornerstone of the field. Art had a long association with Cornell, most recently as Co-Director of the Weill Cornell Center for Sleep Medicine. As a professor at CUNY for more than thirty years, he mentored graduate students and co-authored more than fifty scholarly articles and book chapters. In June of this year, he was honored with the Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award from the Society for Sleep Research. Art was a caring man who loved life. He treasured his friends, and meant so much to so many people. He was a love to his wife, Marlene, an inspiration to his children, Evan and David, a light to his daughter-in-law Melissa, an adored brother to his sister Eileen, and a joy to his grandchildren, Emma, Jason, and Hayley. He will be an eternal presence to his entire family. Services will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 4pm at the Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76 Street. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to the Art Spielman Memorial Fund at the Weill Cornell Center for Sleep Medicine.

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Published by New York Times on Jul. 26, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for ARTHUR SPIELMAN

13 Entries

Stuart Cantor

August 22, 2016

As his student, Art was always encouraging, respectful and supportive. Smart, kind and funny. All those days in undergrad and then graduate classes, and those nights in the sleep lab were very special memories. Art taught me how to do a scientifically well designed pediatric sleep study for my dissertation. He helped me recieve a CUNY NIMH health psychology research grant that all changed my life. I am such a better person and clinical psychologist because of him. I am grateful and appreciative to have been associated with such and outstanding person. Goodbye, Art.

Janet Damon-Atlas

July 26, 2016

I just found out that Dr. Speilman passed. He was my doctor but he was a bit more than that. We'd shared friends at one time and we talked about books and all sorts of things. He had the biggest heart, an extraordinary with, a beautiful disposition, a deep commitment to his work, and a love of family. There's so much more I can say, but this will have to suffice for now. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Marlene, and hie entire family. Love, Janet Damon-Atlas

Gary Gladstein

September 4, 2015

I was very sad to hear of Dr. Spielman's passing. He was such a terrfic man and mensch.
May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Nancy Oppenheimer-Marks

August 27, 2015

It is with heartfelt sadness that Gerry and I extend our condolences to Marlene, Evan and David. Although distance separates us from good friends, the brief times we spent with Art over the years were priceless. Hearing Edelweiss always brings a smile. We will miss you Art. Rest in Peace

August 27, 2015

Art was a dear friend and cherished colleague. I have such fond memories of Art going back to the earliest days of the development of sleep medicine. Art was one of the truly original thinkers in our field, and one of the nicest. He will be missed. Bill Orr

ARNOLD GRAHAM

August 25, 2015

I AM SO SAD TO LEARN OF ART'S PASSING.
HE WAS THE BEST
ARNOLD GRAHAM AND FAMILY

Mathew Tucker

August 3, 2015

So sad to hear of Art's passing. He was responsible for getting me into the CCNY doctoral program in cognitive neuroscience, and he inspired me to pursue sleep research as a career. Art always projected an air of optimism and positive energy that made him a real pleasure to work with. He was also a great teacher who had a truly deep knowledge of sleep and sleep medicine. He will be missed.

Cameil Irving

July 31, 2015

I am saddened by the lost of such a loving inspirational and light hearted figure. I work with Dr. Spielman for 4 years and he always knew how to make everyone smile. I miss hearing him sing happy birthday with guitar to everyone in the office. He will be ruly missed.

July 29, 2015

Very sad to learn of Art's passing. A brilliant, compassionate man with great insights. My condolences to his family.

David Schwartz

Glen Milstein

July 27, 2015

I have two recent memories of Art, his wry self-deprecation and his pleasured energy:

A couple of years ago we were marching in the Commencement ceremony and we were talking about what makes us human. He spoke of the complexity of sleep and how he had come to understand the fundamental role of REM in our physiological well-being and even more in our formation of the self. After explaining his ideas he stopped, smiled and said, "or maybe not."

The second memory is from two Father's Days ago. My family took me to a small Jazz club in the East Village, and there was Art: at their small table, with the music and with his family he had a smile that beamed satisfaction .

This was a man of rooted achievement, in Work and in Love.

These memories remain inspiration.

Lynnor Chong

July 27, 2015

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Arthur Spielman. He will always be remembered fondly. His charming personality and compassion for all are among just some of his endearing qualities. This truly is a great loss for his family, friends, colleagues, students, patients and his field.

Jill Harris

July 27, 2015

I am so sorry that Art is no longer with us. It has been many years since Art joined my now ex and me in Dallas for one of the most uproarious dinners ever. Marlene and family, my heart goes out to you. A gentleman, scholar, game changer, and dear friend , Art will be missed.

John Foxe

July 26, 2015

I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Art, a true gentleman and a thoughtful scholar. I will remember him as a great colleague, for his infectious enthusiasm for his work in sleep, and for many great conversations. He inspired a great many of our students over the decades and influenced so many.

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