Bernard Farfel M.D.

BERNARD FARFEL, M.D. passed away on May 29, 2004, eight days after celebrating his 93rd birthday with his loving family. A man of exquisite kindness, compassion, and spirit, Dr. Farfel was a true healer, who enriched the lives of all who knew him. Born May 21, 1911, in New York City, he was the son of Fannie and Hyman Farfel. He was married for 60 years to Bettie Farfel, whom he loved since they met as teenagers and who predeceased him in 1998. He is survived by his children, Carol and Barry Goodfriend, Linda and Herbert Lesser, and Helen and Larry Rose; his grandchildren, Cheryl and Haran Levy, Susan and Syd Waldman, Robert and Julie Goodfriend, Lawrence Lesser and Lauren Davis, Lori Lesser and Daniel Shuchman, Elaine and Brenner Glickman, and Brian and Caroline Rose; his great-grandchildren, Emily Levy, Andi Levy, Rachel Waldman, Elizabeth Goodfriend, Allison Goodfriend, Judah Lesser, Aaron Shuchman, Moses Glickman, Leo Glickman, Eden Glickman, and Cyrus Rose; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Farfel grew up in New York City, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Doctor of Medicine degree from New York University. The compassion that would become a hallmark of his medical career was demonstrated during his residency in New York, when against the advice of emergency workers, he rushed into a building that was on the verge of collapse in order to tend to the wounded. He came to Houston in 1939, where he continued his practice of internal medicine. He served as an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine and was a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Internal Medicine, and the Houston Society of Internal Medicine (past President). He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health of Great Britain, He served a term as Abstract Editor of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, a well as a term as President of the Phi Delta Epsilon Graduate Club. Dr Farfel served on the boards of many organizations, including the National Board of Trustees of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Jewish Institute for Medical Research (founding Chairman of the Board), Institute of Religion of the Texas Medical Center, Jewish Family Service (past President), Jewish Children's Home Service in New Orleans, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Mental Health Advisory Council and the Living Bank International. He chaired Houston's first Tay Sachs screening program and at the age of 87 received a patent for a pacemaker invention. He was the recipient of the American Jewish Committee's Max H. Nathan Award, the National Conference of Christians and Jews' Brotherhood Award and the B'nai B'rith Women of Houston's first Good Heart Award. He served on the Board of Directors of Spring Branch Bank and OnmiBank. In his and his wife Bettie's honor, their children established the Bettie and Bernard Farfel Jewish Family Service Award. Dr. Farfel had a great deal of compassion for his patients, family and friends. He was known for his sense of humor, sweet disposition, and commitment to his family. His many friends called him Buzzy, and he was Buzzypa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family acknowledges with appreciation the dedicated care provided to Dr. Farfel by Edith Abdul-Haqq, Leticia Arredondo, Delores Hunt, Corina Martinez, Lorraine Marves, Lolita Mehmandoost, and Mirna Vasquez. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 1, at 3:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood, Houston, Texas, with Rabbi Jack Sega1, Rabbi Brenner Glickman, Rabbi Roy Walter, and Cantor David Propis officiating. Dr. Farfel's grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Following the service at Congregation Beth Israel, a private interment service will be held for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations made to the Jewish Family Service (P. O. Box 20548, Houston, TX 77225), the Jewish Institute for Medical Research Fund (c/o Houston Jewish Community Foundation, 5603 South Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096), or a charity of choice.