Lawrence Paul Temkin

Dr. Lawrence Paul Temkin, loving husband, father, grandfather and Tucson cardiologist, passed away following a prolonged illness on May 8th 2024 at the age of 76. Dr. Temkin (Larry) was born on February 14, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York where he attended Abraham Lincoln High School and developed a life-long interest in biological science and research, with the ultimate goal of becoming a physician.

He received his B.A. degree magna cum laude with honors in biology, Phi Beta Kappa from Brandeis University in 1968, where he conducted research on the physiology of muscle contraction. In addition, he studied computer science and programming in their early formative stages over fifty years ago at a time before formal departments had been established.

He earned his M.D. degree from Yale University in 1972, Alpha Omega Alpha, and completed his medical internship and residency in internal medicine and subspecialty fellowship in cardiology at Yale-New Haven Hospital where he was first to apply computer-based analysis to invasive cardiology procedure interpretation.

Larry married the love of his life Dr. Barbara Inselman in 1971. They had known each other as childhood classmates since junior high school and high school in Brooklyn, going to different colleges but destined to meet again at a mixer when both were entering graduate school in New Haven at Yale.

After Medical School Larry served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps Reserve achieving the rank of Major.

Upon completion of post graduate training in 1977, he, Barbara, and their then one-year-old son, Joshua, moved to Tucson where he joined the cardiology faculty at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, serving as director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory, attending physician, teacher, and early investigator into the applications of computer-based image analysis to clinical practice. In 1981, he established the Interventional Cardiology program at The University Hospital and performed the first coronary balloon angioplasty and intracoronary stent procedures at the U. of A. Medical Center. He published multiple papers on the newly emerging technology. He helped train a generation of physicians and cardiologists who served Arizona and beyond.

Larry was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Society for Coronary Angiography and Interventions.

In 1985, he entered private practice in Tucson and Green Valley. In 1995, he partnered with five of his former U. of A. postdoctoral fellows at St. Mary's Hospital and joined Pima Heart Associates, where he worked until his retirement in 2012. He served terms both as Chief of Internal Medicine and Cardiology during his tenure. Throughout his career he continued to serve as a medical-legal and pharmaceutical industry consultant, teacher, and national and international lecturer.

In retirement Larry and Barbara enjoyed international travel, theater, model trains and the company of friends, children and grandchildren. He was a founding member of the "Friday Morning Breakfast Club," enjoying many a bagel, muffin, burrito and laugh with a group of the brightest people, colleagues and compassionate friends whose support and concerns were heartfelt, irreplaceable and most greatly appreciated.

Larry was also able to fulfill a life-long appreciation for glass art, becoming a passionate student, supporter, and board member of the Sonoran Glass School (where he was affectionately known as "Lawrenzo" - the glassblowing cardiologist). After years of study he became an accomplished furnace glassblower, designer, and artist whose colorful, whimsical and elaborate pieces and gifts now reside in the homes of family and friends. Rather than sell his work, he donated his pieces in support of auctions for many local charities.

Larry is survived by Barbara, his loving and unwaveringly supportive wife of 52 Years, his Maryland-based children Joshua Temkin (Melissa) of Bethesda, Dr. Deborah Temkin Cahill (Bryan) of Chevy Chase, and grandchildren Rachel Temkin, Jeremy Temkin, and Helen Cahill. Larry loved his family unconditionally, and, in turn, their unconditional love carried and supported him through life's journeys and its final challenges.

He will be missed and remembered by his family, many friends, and colleagues for his dedication, enthusiastic smile, spirited laugh, and passionate "L'Chaim" in authentic Brooklyn and Yiddish accents.

Funeral Services will take place Monday May 13 at 1pm at Evergreen Mortuary, 3015 N Oracle Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kol Ami, the American Heart Association, or Brandeis University.