Isadore Ronald Izzy Unger

Isadore Ronald Izzy Unger
January 12, 1942 - September 29, 2021
San Diego
Husband Father Healer - Adventurer It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Isadore Unger. Izzy, age 79, passed away suddenly and peacefully following a short bout of pneumonia complicated by a 10-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born in Miami Beach but lived in San Diego for most of his life. He is survived by his wife, Johanna, his son Ian, his son-in-law Alex, and a large circle of family and friends.As a gifted clarinetist, Izzy received a full scholarship to the University of Miami, where he earned his medical degree transforming his muse for music into the healing arts. He completed his internship and residency at UCSD before joining the Air Force in 1969 as a flight surgeon. He was stationed at CCK in Taiwan for two years with the 346 Tactical Airlift Squadron, which flew C-130 Hercules Aircraft throughout Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He was always so proud of his military service. Unfortunately, his contact with Agent Orange in Vietnam caused his Parkinson's Disease. Major Unger left the Air Force to become the flight surgeon for TWA in 1971. He completed his Fellowship in Cardiology at Mercy Hospital. From 1978 until 2007, he practiced cardiology in El Cajon and was on the staff of Grossmont Hospital. After leaving private practice, he practiced medicine in Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii for five years before the Parkinson's Disease made it too difficult. Izzy was a world-class adventurer. After leaving TWA, he was given a free first-class ticket around the world, and he spent six months exploring as much of it as possible. This was the start of a life-long love of travel. Izzy and Jo traveled to over 100 countries together and lived for three years in New Zealand and Australia. Highlights of his adventures include diving in a cage with great white sharks off the coast of South Africa, climbing to Tiger's Nest in Bhutan, flying over the Himalayas on a clear day to see 9 of the world's highest peaks, snorkeling in the Cook Islands, holding a koala in Queensland, riding in a pink Cadillac in Cuba with a cigar in his mouth, walking on the Great Wall, petting the whales in Baja, wearing a crown made of flowers in Easter Island, tracking Orangutans in Borneo, visiting Machu Picchu, the Galapagos, the Mayan and Egyptian pyramids, Antarctica, watching the Northern Lights, visiting most every county in Europe, taking road trips to visit our National Parks including a very long road trip to Alaska, going on safari in Africa, and cruises to the Amazon, Scandinavia, Norway, the Panama Canal, Canada, and the Caribbean. His favorite trips included family vacations with Ian and Alex and visiting their homes in England, Barcelona, and Berlin. Izzy was not done traveling; he was planning his next great adventure the week before he passed. His favorite travel song was On the Road Again, and in the distant winds, we can hear him humming the tune as he continues on his next adventure to the unknown. Izzy loved the Padres and the Chargers, but they broke his heart every year. He was an avid watcher of CNN, and the network may never recover from the loss of their favorite viewer. A Celebration of Life was held on October 4th in South Mission Beach. That evening there was a spectacular, unparalleled lightening show which may have been Izzy's final show of love to us all. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean near his home. Every night he watched the sunset over the ocean looking for the Green Flash; now, he is forever a part of it. Donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation will help find a cure for Parkinson's Disease www.michaeljfox.org Rest in Peace, Izzy A Life Well-Lived