Samuel Leavitt M.D.

Samuel R. Leavitt, M.D.

September 11, 1929 to November 3, 2016

Samuel R. Leavitt, M.D., of San Mateo, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at age 87 after a brief fight with cancer. Sam was a well known, local pediatrician who guarded the health of countless patients in his years of medical practice.

Sam was born on September 11, 1929 to Irving and Lillian (Rosenthal) Leavitt, in Schenectady, NY. He spoke fondly of his childhood growing up with his cousins in an extended family sharing adjacent flats. He was a top student in high school while playing the french horn and acting in high school productions. In the fall of 1947, Sam took his first plane ride and arrived in California to attend the University of Southern California. There he excelled as a pre-med student and member of the Trojan Marching Band.

Following his graduation from USC, Sam attended medical school at The University of California, San Francisco to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a doctor, graduating in 1955. While at UCSF he met his future bride of 60 years, Thea Mendels. They were married on April 15, 1956 and after his residency and military service they settled in Burlingame.

In his many decades of medical practice, he pursued his life's work as a local pediatrician, caring for children, young adults, and often these patient's own children. He joined Henry Richanbach, M.D. (deceased) in his medical practice which grew to include Rik Kasuga, M.D., Laurie Marsh, M.D., and Jeffrey Tan, M.D. The practice he and his partners built continues on today. Sam was a clinical professor at UCSF School of Medicine in addition to his private practice.

Music was a passion of Sam's and as an adult he decided to adopt the cello as his new instrument. He played with the Peninsula Symphony and private string quartets for many years. He was a co-founder of Music at Kohl Mansion, in Burlingame, and enjoyed the San Francisco Symphony for most of his adult life.

Sam was a long-time member of the Peninsula Tennis Club and played tennis four times a week until recently. He is also remembered as an award-winning rose gardener and member of the San Mateo Arboretum Society.

He is survived by his wife Thea M. Leavitt, his daughter Andrea Leavitt McGovern (John), his son Robert Leavitt, and grandchildren Samuel H. Leavitt and Rachel L. Harris.

A memorial service will be held at Peninsula Temple Shalom on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 4:00 pm, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Peninsula Symphony, the San Mateo Arboretum Society, or Mission Hospice.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Jelena Kao, M.D., Don Ho, M.D., and the doctors and nurses of Mission Hospice for the loving care they brought to Sam in his final days.