David Arnold Greenspan M.D.

About

University of Texas

David Greenspan Obituary

DAVID ARNOLD GREENSPAN, MD passed away quietly on Monday October 4, 2005, after a decade-long battle with lymphoma. He was 65 years old. Arnold, as he was known by all who knew and loved him, was born on May 30, 1940, to Rose and Martin Greenspan in Newark, New Jersey. He moved to McAllen, Texas, and later graduated from McAllen High School in 1956. He attended the University of Texas in Austin, where he graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In June 1963, at the age of 23, he achieved the degree of Medical Doctor by graduating from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He completed his Internship at Herman Hospital in Houston, and then returned to Galveston for his residency training in Ophthalmology. In August 1967, after completing his residency program, Arnold was commissioned a Captain in the United States Army. During his two years in the Army, he achieved the rank of Major and served as the youngest Chief of both the Department of Ophthalmology and the ENT Clinic at the United States Darnell Army Hospital in Fort Hood, Texas. For his work at the hospital, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. In 1969, Arnold entered private practice and founded Pasadena Eye Associates in Pasadena, Texas. The application of his knowledge as a physician coupled with his compassion as a caregiver allowed his practice to flourish. Over the next 30 years, he cared for thousands of wonderful patients and friends. Throughout his career, he dedicated himself to his patients. He knew his patients by name, and he cared for them as if they were his own family. His patients were always touched by his kindness and caring, and it was not uncommon for him to treat generations of the same family, an honor in which Arnold took great pride. Dr. Greenspan was a longtime friend of Ophthalmology. His academic appointments included positions at both the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, where he was able to help train the next generation of ophthalmic surgeons. He has been a teacher, role model, and mentor to many people. Arnold's professional accomplishments and associations are a testament to his love of medicine and genuine concern for others. Notably, Dr. Greenspan served as President of the Houston Ophthalmological Society; President of the Southeast Harris County Medical Society; Chief of Surgery, Southmore Medical Center; Vice Chief of Staff, Southmore Medical Center; Member of the Executive Board, Academy of Medicine; Member of the Executive Board, Harris County Medical Society; Member of the Socioeconomics Committee, Harris County Medical Society; Clinical Scientific Advisor for the Retina Research Foundation; and President of UTMB's Department of Ophthalmology Alumni Association. Arnold dedicated himself to serving his community, having been a member of the Board of Directors for the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and being an active member of the Pasadena Rotary Club. Additionally, over the course of 30 years, he has been on the Board of Directors and held positions ranging from President to Medical Chairman of the Texas Society to Prevent Blindness. His association with this charitable organization helped raise awareness, and advance vision health and wellness through various programs. He was repeatedly recognized for his decades long service with the Houston chapter. Arnold was a member of the International Wine and Food Society, and the Order de Mondial, and also sat on the board of the Houston chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs as the Vice Conseiller Gastronomique. He lived a moral life that touched many people with his kindness and caring. He loved being with his friends and family. The success enjoyed by those he has helped and nurtured is a tribute to his unselfishness, and gave him great pride. He dearly loved his family, he was devoted to his friends, and they loved him for the person he was, for he treated everyone as family. Arnold enjoyed many lifelong friendships, and cherished those relationships. Arnold will be remembered for the unselfish love, caring and sense of humanity he gave to all he knew. He was a consummate traveler, the epitome of a gentleman, and a deeply loving, kind and gentle soul. Arnold is survived by his constant companion and loving wife of 37 years, Jan Greenspan. He was totally devoted to his wife, and together they loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was preceded in death by his parents Rose and Martin Greenspan. Services will be held at 1:30pm, Friday October 7, 2005 at Congregation Beth Yeshurun 4525 Beechnut Boulevard, Houston,Texas. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Dees, R.N.; Jack Dodick, M.D.; Lawrence Foote, M.D.; Simon Fredricks, M.D.; Melton J. Horwitz, M.D.; Lawrence Joseph, M.D.; David Langerman, M.D.; Archie Leder, M.D.; Bernard Milstein, M.D.; Michael Patipa, M.D.; Jorge Rodriguez, M.D.; Paul Stein, M.D.; and Michael Weisberg, M.D. Memorial contributions may be made to: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202; Prevent Blindness Texas, 3211 West Dallas, Houston, Texas 77019; The Endowment Fund - The Jewish Institute for Medical Research, 5603 South Braeswood, Houston, Texas 77096.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle from Oct. 6 to Oct. 7, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for David Greenspan

12 Entries

Valerie Fobert (from Houston's)

October 9, 2005

Dear Mrs. Greenspan,

My sincerest and deepest sympathies to you for your loss. Dr. Greenspan was a wonderful caring man and will be missed greatly.

Fonda Whisenant

October 8, 2005

Mrs. Greenspan,

My family sends their deepest sympathy to you. My Mom and Dad both were patients, as well as my family, of Dr. Greenspan. I will never forget the kindness he showed my mom after my dad passed away.

Wilda (LaVanda) Hicks and Fonda Whisenant

EDWARD PAVELEK

October 7, 2005

A VERY DEAR AND LOVING PERSON, MAY HE BE LONG REMEMBERED BY THOSE THAT LOVED HIM.

ED & DOLORES PAVELEK

Gina Barrington

October 7, 2005

Due to a traumatic eye injury in 1974 at 13 years of age, I became a patient of Dr. Greenspan, I am now 45 years of age. He was the doctor that cared for me during my month long stay at Southmore Hospital. Since both eyes were patched, I did not know what he looked like during that time so that sweet, soft, comforting voice was all I knew until the patches were removed.

I remained his patient until his retirement. During one of my last visits with him I am glad that I had the opportunity to thank him for saving my eye and my sight. His shoes were big shoes to fill and no other doctor will ever compare to him.

At the time I was saddened to hear of his illness and am even more saddened to hear of his passing.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

Jil Blake(Bullion)

October 7, 2005

Jan,

I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Greenspan. I came to work for him in Jan. 1984 after having worked in the field for about 3 years, but consider this my first real introduction into the world of Ophthalmology. He taught me so much in the 5+ years that I worked for him. I learned the art of assisting in surgery that I used until just the last few years. Alot of memories, but 2 stick out in my mind. We OA's were "his girls"--HE could get onto us about something--but let a patient be rude to us about something, and he would not allow that. (Those patients were few and far between!)

The other memory is still so funny to me--I was working with him in the room one day and we had a Chinese patient who didn't speak any English. After a few minutes of working with the translator, Dr. Greenspan started talking in Chinese. I looked at him and he looked at me--he said "I bet you didn't know that I could do that, did you?" He and I started laughing and we couldn't stop, then the patient started laughing and it took us awhile to get ourselves back together. His patients loved him because he was compassionate and really cared about them. I also remember your visits to the office--you and Dr. Greenspan always seemed to have so much fun and I know that you loved each other very much. Please know that I am thinking about you during this very difficult time.

Loretta St. John

October 7, 2005

There are no words to describe the feelings of pain and loss upon the passing of my dear friend Arnold. There was no kinder, more gentler man than he. I was introduced to Arnold and Jan by Nancy & Israel Tapick, ten years ago. Arnold and Jan loved the way I sang Yiddish songs, and Andrea Bocelli songs. They were regular attendees to the Tapick's annual Martin Foods Show, during which I performed for many seasons. We've spent many happy evenings together. My life is blessed for having know him. He has left us too soon.

Mrs. Zerin F. Namdarian

October 6, 2005

Dear Jan,Knew your beloved husband Dr. greenspan for a very short time , but came to respect and love him very much.He was very kind, gentle and always very helpful to me in my time of need.I will miss a very dear friend.You are in our prayers and thoyght.
With Sympathy,
Zerin-Fred and Andy Namdarian.
Houston-Tx.

paul marcus

October 6, 2005

Dear Mrs. Greenspan:

My deepest sympathies are with you today. I was privledged to know Dr. Greenspan not only as a patient of his, but also as a friend.

I had the privledge of meeting him when I was a young child, since I grew up in McAllen, and he grew up in Brownsville. Our families became close, and I can remeber visits to the motel in Brownsville. I know how much he meant to my parents, and they were very proud to have known him. I can recall his sorrow at the passing of my father, and saw how well he treated my mother in her later years. I also know how much he cared for other members of the McAllen community.

Most of all I can remember the kind words and encouragement he would give me whenever I went to see him. He was a real mensch.

Lois Webb

October 6, 2005

Dr. Greenspan was a very special friend as well as my doctor. I will greatly miss him.

Peggy DeMontrond

October 6, 2005

Jan,

I loved Dr. Greenspan like a father. He was the most incredible man I have ever known.

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. G for many years and I have never known a more tender and kind doctor. To this day I have patients ask about Dr, G and tell me how wonderful he was, how much they missed him and always checking on how he was doing.

Dr. Greenspan was an excellent surgeon, a friend who always had time to pick up the phone to see how I was doing even if he did not feel well. He never forgot a special day in my life and was always there for the dissapointments in my life. I have tears in my eyes writing this to you because I miss him so much and know how much you loved each other.

You now have your own special ANGEL in heaven who will always take care of you.

I Love You and you are in my prayers.

Peggy DeMontrond

Harold Twining

October 6, 2005

As a former patient of Dr. Greenspan I am disheartned to learn of his passing. He will always be in my heart as a loving and caring physician.

Nancy Tapick

October 6, 2005

Dear Jan

Words cannot express our grief over losing our good friend Arnold. It was a privilege to have known him and to have him in our lives. Our hearts are heavy with sorry as it is hard to imagine our world without Arnold. He was a prince among men and one who will be in our hearts and minds forever. We will always remember our last phone call last week and take comfort in knowing that he will rest in peace. He fought a valiant fight and we loved him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

With Sympathy

Nancy and Israel

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results