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Louis Zamvil Obituary
Louis Zamvil, M.D.
Resident of Palo Alto
Passed away peacefully at home on May 29th. Louis was born to Romanian immigrant parents in Brooklyn. He spent his childhood in New York where he met his future wife, Stella Savage. After completion of high school, he attended City College of New York.
During World War II, he was drafted into the army and sent to Stanford, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree, Phi Beta Kappa. While Louis intended to become an engineer, his superior officer instructed him to take the medical school entrance exam. Alphabetically, he was then assigned to medical school at the University of Oregon, and graduated Alpha Omega Alpha in 1949. His residency training in Pediatrics at Stanford was interrupted from 1951-1953 when he served in the Army as a Captain and physician in Korea. There he started an orphanage. After discharge, he completed his residency at Stanford and entered pediatric practice in Palo Alto.
He was Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford, teaching residents and medical students on the hospital ward service until his retirement in 2003. He was recognized by Stanford physicians and the medical community in the Bay Area for his excellent diagnostic skills and sound clinical judgment. His patients appreciated his willingness to make house calls at any time he was needed - day or night. Louis was a Leader in the Jewish Community, where he co-founded Temple Beth Am and Kol Emeth, and served as President of the Jewish Community Center.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, three children, Kenneth of Penngrove, CA, Linda of Stowe, VT and Scott of Palo Alto, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Donations can be made in his memory to Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, CA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Louis Zamvil
Sponsored by Mark Freedman.
Sandra Proia
February 21, 2025
Dear Lois, Still missing you and the way you made everything calm, especially in high stress moments. All these years later I'm still quietly missing your welcoming smile and your offer to help, no matter the condition. Never will be another like Dr. Zamvil for us. God broke the mold after you and boy do we suffer. Hope to see you later when time comes.
Linda Layburn Secrest
May 28, 2023
Dr. Zamvil was truly my favorite pediatrician when I worked in nursing at Stanford. I can remember sitting across from him at one of the banquets honoring accomplishments of employees and he was delightful to converse with in a non clinical setting. He exuded warmth and kindness with staff and the newborns in our care. He is sadly missed.
Edward Leyvas
May 26, 2021
Never have forgot you Dr Zamvil. You were more then a Doctor to my family.
Thank you Sir.
Linda Layburn-Secrest
May 27, 2020
It was a joy and a privilege to have worked along side him at Stanford Hospital when I was very young. He was so very encouraging and I enjoyed caring for his newborn patients in the nursery. My heart goes out to his family at this anniversary of his passing.
Sally Zaan
May 1, 2019
Dr. Zamvil was my pediatrician in the early 1970's. I was asthmatic and had severe allergies, so I saw him often. I remember him being gruff, to the point where he almost seemed mad, but then he'd smile and all my fears would dissipate. He was kinda scary when I was a 12-year-old kid. LOL!! I've thought of him often over the years. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. RIP Dr. Zamvil.
July 10, 2013
Dr. Zamvil was the greatest. We were fortunate to have him as our pediatrician for 16 years, at which time we moved to Oroville. We didn't quite know how we were going to survive without him. He always said that the Templeton kids always came up with something unusual. He saw us through a lot. Seldom will you find a doctor anymore that loves and cares for his patients as he did. I am happy to see that Linda is now a well known doctor. I remember when she told him she wanted to be a doctor. He was so proud and he also said it would be a harder challenge for her being a woman if she got married and had children before completing her studies. We always wanted to come back and see him but never got the chance. My oldest is now 51. Our condolences to the Zamvil family No one fill ever fill his shoes.
The Templeton Family: Jim, Juanita, Rhonda, Brent
Candace Circle
June 26, 2013
Bless you and the wonderful memories we as former child patients and then a family with out own children to have you in out lives Dr. Z.... You were my baby Dr. my sisters, and then my girls Dr. That great grey building on Middlefield Rd .. with the most wonderful man as our Family Dr. and friend ~ to be gifted to have you in our lives and our childrens ...2 generations of family He was so loved and we speak of him with such fondness today... The world is missing a wonderful soul right now but where ever he is there is the twinkle and the stern but loving instructions to us parents on parenting and child care.. With Loving memories Dr. Zamvil... The Circle Family <3
Carol's daughters: Valerie Crane, Ginni Chambers, Priscilla Small
Virginia Chambers
June 18, 2013
Dear Ken, Linda and Scott, So sorry to hear your dear dad (now, Mom) is gone. I should read the newspaper. Praying that the Lord will comfort each of you. Your dad was my doctor 50 years ago!!! And Mom, Carol Small, loved working for him for 13 years. We, my sisters, Priscilla Small and Valerie Crane and our children, all have wonderful memories of his healing hands and rough bedside manner! We all loved him.
Love, Ginni (Small, Nelson) Chambers
Janice Warren
January 21, 2013
Dr. Lou,
Thank-you so much for taking care of me and then my children. You are one of a kind and will be missed!
Love,
Janice, Alex and Katie
P.S.
thanks for teaching me how to gram stain for strep;-)
Edward Leyvas
January 9, 2013
Dr. Zamvil was the greatest doctor my kids have ever had. I remember how much time he would take to care for my son, Andrew. At times, he would even care for my wife and I. I often think of him. Thank you Dr. Zamvil, From the Leyvas family, aways in our thoughts.
kelly gatlin
December 25, 2012
Just another not dr Zamvil it was a great honor working for you, watching your and stellas dogs and just being around you at the office and our pratice luncheons, your expertise in medicine is one of the reasons im persuing my nursing degree! much love to you both!
December 25, 2012
I worked with Dr zamvil for 3 years, He was a great individual whom had wit and charm but most of all commpassion, he would recieve late night phone calls from parents and he would say (kelly) meet me at the office! we have a possible fracture or appendicits, he still made house calls and was an extrodinary person. much love Dr Zamvil you taught and inspired me to my fullest!
kelly
Alex, Victor and Mary, all grown up
Jo Ann Heydron
December 18, 2012
Lou Zamvil was pediatrician for my kids, and moral support for me, in the 80s and 90s. Sometimes he yelled at me, and sometimes I yelled back, but my kids grew up healthy and happy, in no small degree because of him. He is a legend in our family. We still find ourselves saying to each other, Dr. Zamvil would NOT think very highly of that! We'll miss him.
Samuel Zuckerman
November 9, 2012
I will miss you you very much Dr. Lou
Chet Wyman
September 23, 2012
Dear Uncle Lou. I miss you very much. You were a huge influence on my life.
Kimberly Wainscoat
August 22, 2012
Dr. Zamvil was a wonderful, unforgettable doctor, yes gruff, but so kind, generous and genuine. Truly one of a kind and irreplaceable. We have always missed him since his retirement and we are so sorry to hear this special man is gone.
Mark Freedman
July 17, 2012
Growing up in Palo Alto during the 1960's-70's, "Dr Lou" as I knew him was not only my pediatrician, but he and Stella were friends of our family and I held them in the highest regard. When I moved away in 1978 to join the Air Force, I certainly missed having Dr Zamvil as a physician but had the pleasure to keep in touch with him and Stella on my regular visits back home. As the obit stated, Dr Lou had a gruff exterior but he was the most caring doctor a child could have. My deepest condolences to Stella and the rest of the Zamvil family.
July 6, 2012
To The Family of Dr. Louis Zamvil,
Dr. Zamvil took care of my brothers and sisters but the next generation as well. Our memories are many. The one thing that stands out is his genuine caring for his patients. It is rare to find someone who took his profession to heart and gave it his all. Even thou most of the family moved away to Virginia we still talk of him often. He is a legend. Wishing the family many blessings.
The Corcoran Family
Waterford, Virginia
Andrea Alexander
June 13, 2012
Dr. Zamvil was the best. He was my pediatrician and then my daughter's. He knew everything. When my daughter was born he came to the hospital, talked for 1/2 hour and then handed me 3 pages of notes saying that I wouldn't remember a word he said. Andrea Alexander
Bill and Rose Taylor
June 12, 2012
Condolences to Stella and the whole family! Rose loved him dearly. He was a very kind and gentle man. He is missed.
June 9, 2012
Dr. Zamvil was a joy to work with when I was a young nurse at Stanford over 45 years ago.
My condolences to his wife and family.
Linda Secrest
Naples, FL
June 7, 2012
Dear Stella & Family: Please accept our condolences. Lou was a very special guy who touched many lives. He will be sorely missed.
With deepest sympathy,
David and Robin Teitelbaum
Maureen (McCarty) Mandell
June 4, 2012
To the Zamvil family,
Sympathy & condolences on the loss of Dr. Zamvil. Like many Palo Altans, we were privileged to have Dr Zamvil as our family pediatrician, for several generations.
There is a saying that whomever saves a life, it is as if he saved a world. I am sure Dr Zamvil saved many worlds. Our family will be forever grateful for his excellent care and will always remember him with gratitude.
May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
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Maureen (McCarty)Mandell
June 4, 2012
To the Zamvil family,
Sympathy & condolences on the loss of Dr. Zamvil. Like many Palo Altans, we were privileged to have Dr Zamvil as our family pediatrician, for several generations.
There is a saying that whomever saves a life, it is as if he saved a world. I am sure Dr Zamvil saved many worlds. Our family will be forever grateful for his excellent care and will always remember him with gratitude.
May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. ????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????????
Rikki Marshall
June 4, 2012
He was our family doctor when we lived in Mountain View. As a child, I had chronic ear infections and I remember him making house calls at all hours, day or night. He was a wonderful doctor.
Andrew Freedman
June 4, 2012
Dear Stella, Kenny, Linda and Scotty,
Please accept my deepest and sincere condolences. Dr. Lu, as I always called him (from 2-56), was the most remarkable pediatrician. I'll never forget the bulletin board of all the pictures of us as kids and I remember the house calls he'd make and somehow, just his presence, with the black doctor bag was enough to scare away whatever illness I may have had. After 10 attempts at a throat culture, he said, "You're breaking my sticks!" Still can't do one of those. Dr. Lu, you're the greatest!
With love,
Andy
Terri Vaux
June 4, 2012
Dr. Zamvil has been with our family for years. He was my husband's doctor for years then we took our children to him until he retired. He was a great person, and doctor. My thoughts and prayers to the family. Terri Vaux, Palo Alto.
Patrick Chestnut
June 4, 2012
Dear Stella,
I was so sorry to hear about Lou's passing. He was so good to all of us, and we trusted him completely. Please accept my warmest condolences, and I hope to see you when we come out next month!
Sincerely,
Patrick
Kathleen McCarty
June 3, 2012
He was our family doctor for all 11 of us. Thanks to him, #11 survived spinal meningitis when he was 2. When your chances of survival are 50-50 at best, you want a guy like Dr. Zamvil on the case. Boy howdy, was he a good doctor. We'll always be indebted to him for saving my little brother's life.
Kristy Downs McAbee
June 3, 2012
My three younger sisters and I were so fortunate to have Dr. Zamvil as our pediatrician during the 1950's and 1960's. He made house calls when we came down with chickenpox and ear infections,and was always reassuring my mom as she raised 4 spirited daughters. All of us remember him with deep fondness and send our deepest condolences to his family.
Liz Odell
June 3, 2012
Dear Mrs. Zamvil,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Dr. Zamvil. I will always remember him as my favorite doctor and both of you as wonderful next door neighbors. I recall his willingness and your graciousness to treat my ear infections in your home and at night. I also recall his almost closing his office down after I took a bad fall in the backyard, and my mother brought me in to see him. His office staff was ready to revolt with all the waiting patients, but his only concern was me. I think all of his patients felt and were treated that way: as if they were the most important one.
Both of you were so kind and patient with all of us rowdy kids on Thrornwood, running screaming down the street with water balloons, using the curve in front of your house to try to roll the go-cart, or playing marbles your gutters. Thinking back, it's a wonder you didn't have more us knocking all the time.
He will be sorely missed, and my thoughts are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Liz Odell
Sylvie How
June 3, 2012
Dr. Zamvil was our pediatrician....All 9 of us. He was kind and sweet and the most amazing doctor in the world. He is the one who was able to diagnose my brothers rare bleeding conditon and treated him well after he was teenager. I am very sad today. But it sounds as if he had a full life and and I know an amazing family. The How Family
June 3, 2012
They don't make doctors like Dr. Zamvil anymore. Our son was born at Stanford, in 1976, and very sick from the begining. Dr. Zamvil, was hands on, and took care of him until he passed away in 1980. A very careing doctor.
Mitzi Bennett
Fremont, Ca.
Stacey Martin
June 3, 2012
Dear Stella, Ken, Linda, Scott, and family: My deepest condolences and sympathy. Dr. Lou was an important part of my growing up - the best pediatrician ever, and all of you good family friends. We will miss him dearly. Much love, Stacey (and Glenn) Kravitz Martin.
Peggy Reeser
June 3, 2012
What wonderful memories our family has of Dr. Zamvil. We made it through lots of skins and scrapes and runny noses, and Dr. Zamil always had a smile, and always some great advice. Our condolences to the family.
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