DAVID K. GINSBERG

GINSBERG

DAVID K. GINSBERG, MD., on August 10, 2012 died from pancreatic cancer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He was born in Washington, DC. and attended George Washington University. He gained early acceptance into their medical school and graduated with combined degrees in 1951 and 1954 respectively. He enlisted in the United States Army and completed his internship I at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco, CA. 1954-1955 before deploying to Korea. He arose to the rank of Captain in the US Army Medical Corps. He was subsequently stationed as commander of the dispensary at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. After an honorable discharge, he completed his medical training at Jefferson Medical College and completed an NIH fellowship in Gastroenterology 1959-1960. Thereafter, he spent his career at Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia. He was chief of the Gastroenterology Division for 30 years and Chairman of the Department of Medicine 1977-1983. He also became a Philadelphia Phillies Team Physician for 21 years. He received Phillies championship rings for the 1980 World Series and League Championships in 1981 and 1983. He is also featured delivering the Phillies' Phanatic baby in a classic Phillies video. He married Geraldine McDonnell and moved to the Philadelphia area in 1958. He described his meeting and marriage to Geraldine as rare as "lightning in a bottle". They settled in St. Bernadette's parish in Drexel Hill and raised three children. He was a devoted father and husband to Geraldine until her death in 2005. In 2008, mutual friends introduced him to Jeanie Wechsler, whom he married in 2008. He described this as "finding lightning in a bottle twice". They enjoyed 4 wonderful years together. He was predeceased by his first wife Geraldine, of 47 years. He is survived by his wife of 4 years Eugenia Wechsler Ginsberg; sister, Miriam Rothchild. He is the father of Maureen Scheuerman (Tom), Gregory Ginsberg, MD (Jane), Michelle Gassaway (Steve) along with 12 grandchildren, plus, 5 step-children with 8 grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Relatives and friends are invited to Viewing Monday 11-12 Noon Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Providence Road, Media, PA 19063 followed by his Funeral Mass at 12 Noon. Interment SS. Peter and Paul, Springfield, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support research, training and education pertaining to pancreatic disorders to the David K. Ginsberg, MD Memorial Fund, c/o Division of Gastroenterology, 600 Clinical Research Building University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 415 Curie Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19104. The UPenn tax ID number is 23-1352685. All contributions are tax deductible.