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Samuel Gotoff Obituary
Sam attended the University of Rochester Medical School and completed his Pediatric training at Yale, followed by a fellowship in Allergy/immunology at Boston Children's Hospital. He went on to serve as Chairman of Pediatrics at both Michael Reese Hospital and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, where he established Rush Children's Hospital. Dr. Gotoff achieved the rare triad of academic, clinician, and educator. He authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, including a seminal paper that transformed the identification and prevention of Group-B Strep in newborns. He was a mentor to scores of medical students, residents and pediatricians-in-training, who remember him for his attention to detail, depth of knowledge, and dedication to excellence in the care of children.
Myra and Sam married in 1956, and had three children, Elizabeth, Robert and David. They made their home in Chicago and spent summers in Truro, MA, where they built close friendships spanning multiple generations. In retirement, Sam and Myra split their time between Cape Cod and Sarasota. After Myra's death in 2008, Sam continued to live life to the fullest, traveling across the globe, supporting the arts, staying active in the Democratic party, and volunteering at a local primary school. His later years were enriched by his dear friend, Judy Ratzan, with whom he made many new memories.
Sam led by example, demanding the same excellence from others he expected of himself. A true head of the family, he remained deeply invested in the education and well-being of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he adored. In addition to his wife Myra, Sam is predeceased by his brother Harold Gotoff. He will be greatly missed by his children, Elizabeth Chadis, Robert and wife Jill, and David and wife Sallie. He leaves behind his greatest legacy, seven grandchildren??-Molly and her husband David Micley, Joseph, James, Samuel, Hannah, Sarah, and Benjamin-and two great-granddaughters, Lily and Zoe.
Sam's wit, wisdom and integrity were admired by all who knew him, and despite knowing more than just about anyone about the state of world affairs, he remained an optimist to the end.
A memorial service will take place in the summer of 2022, to be held in Truro.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Gotoff
Loretta Steinberg Blauner
January 9, 2025
Sallie - I remembering you contacting me a few years ago with questions about the family. Today I thought about Pete and realized that there is no one left of our generation. Condolences to the Gotoff family. Loretta Steinberg Blauner 01/09/25
Regina Okhuysen-Cawley MD, FCCM
March 28, 2023
Dr. Gotoff made significant contributions to Pediatric Infectious Diseases, which have had a global impact. After being his trainee, I make every effort to treat my own young mentees with kindness. May he Rest In Peace.
Kathy Haney
June 17, 2022
Dr. Gotoff or Dr. G, as I would often called him, was the mainstay of the RUSH Dept. of Pediatrics. Having served as the Academic Coord. of the dept. for 10 yrs., I witnessed first hand his commitment to the well being of children, the little pts he saw one morning a week in spite of his administrative responsibilities, his medical residents and fellows, and the medical students under his purview. He was the consummate teacher, determined to provide the best education with supportive facts to the attention of his faculty, residents and all RUSH medical students who experienced a mandatory clinical rotation through Peds. Underneath his stern exterior was a man who cared deeply about his patients, medical staff, residents/fellows and medical students. Yes, he was determined to conduct valuable research, publish, and educate but it was the health and well-being of all people, big and little, that mattered most in his professional life. He had a deep commitment of love for life specifically for Myra, his three children and his grandchildren; his belief and pride in their abilities and achievements were remarkable. Dr. G. your memory lives on; your teaching is embedded forever, and your love for what really mattered is an example for all of us.
STEVEN SHECHTMAN
May 10, 2022
Dear family of Sam Gotoff
It is with great sadness that I heard the news of Sam's passing. I was a resident of his from 1975-1978 at Michael Reese Hospital and will forever be grateful to Sam for his mentoring and guidance. Because of his training, I have no doubt, I was able to make a difference in the lives of so many of my young patients. He will always remain in my memory.
Roland & Steffi Kallen
May 2, 2022
Farewell old friend. Your vast knowledge base and welcome concern and camaraderie will be sorely missed by the Cape Cod and Amhert crowd.
Les Trubow
May 1, 2022
Condolences to all of Sam's family. Sam was Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Michael Reese Hospital where I did my residency in Pediatrics from 1978 to 1981. Sam was a great mentor, roll model and teacher. I considered him a friend. He will be missed.
Zarena Ali
May 1, 2022
My sincere and Heartfelt sympathies to Dr. Samuel Gotoff. We acknowledge his contribution to society and to his family.
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