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Jerome Hershman Obituary
Passed away peacefully shortly before his 90th birthday from the effects of
pancreatic cancer on July 18th, at home surrounded by his family.
Born in Chicago, Illinois on July 20, 1932. He was a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School, Northwestern University, Cal Tech and the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
After serving 2 years as a Captain and internist in the US Air Force, Dr. Hershman began a career of over 65 years doing research, teaching and providing patient care at VA Hospitals in Chicago, Birmingham, and Los Angeles.
His passion and specialty was research in Endocrinology, particularly on the thyroid gland.
For the last 50 years, Dr. Hershman was Professor of Medicine at UCLA, and became Chief of Endocrinology and Diabetes at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, where he transformed it into one of the leading endocrine units in the country.
Dr. Hershman served as president of the American Thyroid Association and is a founding editor of the journal Thyroid. He has over 300 published scientific journal articles and has written more than 100 authoritative book chapters and reviews about thyroid function and disease, as well as three endocrinology text books.
Dr. Hershman was widely regarded as a kind, thoughtful and beloved teacher. He has mentored countless residents and over 65 wonderful postdoctoral fellows.
Known to his friends as Jerry, with seemingly boundless energy, enthusiasm and optimism, he enthusiastically pursued outdoor sports such as tennis, birdwatching, hiking, and skiing. Jerry also enjoyed cultural events with his wife Fleurette and a large group of friends.
Dr. Hershman was an active member of Valley Beth Shalom Congregation and a long-standing Havurah group.
Dr. Hershman is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Fleurette Kram Hershman, their three sons, Daniel, Michael and Jeffrey, and respective daughters' in-law Lori, Sophie and Abigail, and three grandchildren Miriam Yadav and husband Sagar, Olivia Hershman and Ari Herbertson.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jerome Hershman
Arlene and Jerry Davis
July 20, 2023
Jerry was a lovely person-- a mensch.
We miss him very much: his intellect, his joy of life, his smile, his sense of adventure, and his caring.
We have wonderful memories, and think often of the wonderful times we spent together.
Rivia Ferst Greenberger
July 18, 2023
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Cousin, Rivia Ferst Greenberger,cousin
Harvey Cohen
October 22, 2022
JERRY new me as the internist from Rancho cucamonga...he was very warm and kind to me..He knew I am very interested in thyroid..Involved in ATA...
He was a mench....may he rest in peace....Harvey D Cohen MD. Rancho Cucamonga
Cynthia Moeck
September 23, 2022
I was a patient of Dr Hershmans´s...he saw me through my treatment and was the kindest, most thoughtful and caring physician. I have always been grateful for the care he provided during a difficult and stressful time . I thank him for my many `extra years´. He will certainly be missed by his many patients over the years and his loss is truly a loss to us all. Thank you Dr Hershman.
Charles Emerson
September 22, 2022
Dear Fleury,
Please forgive this inexcusably late letter regarding Jerry´s passing this past summer. He had so many positive influences on my career and that of many others to say nothing of the amazing influence he had in medical education, publications, research, and patient care.
Norma and I send our deep condolences to you and the family; and also our gratitude for your sharing Jerry´s life with us.
Charles and Norma Emerson.
ALBERT BURGER
August 5, 2022
Dear Fleury,
A good friend of mine informed me that Jerry had passed away. From our email correspondence I was aware of his diagnosis, and he was certainly much aware of his state of health and approached this is with a lot of courage. He spoke also about your wonderful help. We are even more with you in our thoughts. Nadine and I are sending you our profound condolences.
Our friendship was a long-lasting one. We must be grateful that we could share this friendship over more than 50 years, starting with the scientific common interest, but ending with family ties. I hope that they remain beyond his disappearance. Please give my profound thoughts to all the members of your family and particularly to Dan whom I met in Verbier.
Sincerely yours,
Albert Burger
PS I sent you this message to the professional email address of Jerry bur I do not knowif it is still working.
Mary Wysmierski
August 3, 2022
I am so very saddened to learn of Dr. Hershman's passing from such an insidious disease. May God rest his soul and his memory eternal for his family and all who knew him.
I carry this photo that I took of him and his friend during lunch on Oct 25, 2017 at 1:57pm just after a lecture Dr. Hershman gave at UCI.
Dr. Hershman taught me, he helped me and he was greatly respected by so many in southern California as well as nationally!
His memory will remain with me forever!
Andrea Bell
August 1, 2022
Jerry and I were in THE PLATO SOCIETY together.
What an incredible man! He exuded caring, intelligence and love. I adored him and the wisdom he shared.
Cinda and Stuart Zemel
July 29, 2022
Dear Fleury, Daniel, Michael and Jeffrey,
We will miss our visits very much. Jerry was such an important part of our Zemel family. He was a Lagover all-star. Another piece of our hearts has broken off. I will think of him forever.
With love,
Cinda and Stuart Zemel
Bill Chin
July 28, 2022
Jerry was a wonderful colleague of mine in the thyroid field and a caring and nurturing soul for our beloved field. He was also a good friend with whom we shared many science trips together over the years, often with Fleuri by his side. I will miss him; we all will miss him! Fleuri and the rest of the Hershman family--may you grieve well during these difficult times. With affection and admiration.
Jerry and Mickey Silverman
July 25, 2022
We're in a state of shock with Jerry's passing. What a fine man and a terrific friend.
Vicky Anthony
July 25, 2022
Dear Fleurette and family, Our deepest sympathies to all of you over the loss of your dear husband, father, grandfather and renowned scientist/professor. Fleurette, you gave me a wonderful opportunity to teach with you, Bob, Maria and others at MCPS and am forever indebted to you for mentoring me as a young teacher. Our loving thoughts and prayers are with you all. Vicky and Thom Nass
Elizabeth Corey
July 24, 2022
Dear family of Dr. Hershman - I want to let you know that Dr. Hershman generously checked on me and asked about my daughter only during this last year, when she was fighting leukemia, never once mentioning to me that he too had cancer. As a former colleague at the VA and then as my endocrinologist, and as a true concerned physician, he set aside his own issues to ask how things were going and to keep my prescriptions current. A truly selfless focus. I just wanted to let you know that he was a caring physician and person through and through.
Liz Corey
Rivia Greenberger
July 24, 2022
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
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