STEPHEN SCHULTZ Obituary

SCHULTZ--Stephen, MD, 1938 - 2020. Stephen Schultz passed away on February 19 surrounded by his family. Born in Brooklyn to parents Mendel "Manny" Schultz and Grace Klausner, Stephen attended the Ethical Culture School, Erasmus High and Horace Mann where he was athlete of the year in his graduating class and captain of the football team, the baseball team and the wrestling team. He spent a year in Berlin before attending Harvard and then went on to NYU medical school. After training at Johns Hopkins and the CDC, he returned to New York to join the NYC Department of Health where he rose to Deputy Commissioner and helped to lead the fight against the unfolding HIV/AIDS epidemic. Subsequently he was an HIV/AIDS physician at Bronx Lebanon. Steve was a deep thinker with a zany sense of humor and a man of great passions. He was a strong proponent of social justice and equity. He was a great friend to all who knew him and was a dedicated father and partner. He was known for his intellect and insight, his remarkable ability to converse with little children, and his big heart. He loved the family house in the Hudson Valley, Bach, calligraphy, miniature writing, award-winning cider making, bread baking, ocean shell rowing, reading, hiking, and making metal sculptures. He will be sorely missed by sons Max Schultz and Anthony Schultz, daughter Malissa Schultz O'Donnell, grandchildren Sadie and Manny Schultz, and by his partner of 41 years, Kathleen O'Donnell.

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Published by New York Times on Feb. 21, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for STEPHEN SCHULTZ

12 Entries

Harold Appel

September 8, 2025

So sorry to discover this. I knew him for a bit back in the day and he was a great person. I have a memory of a drawing that his kid did showing him as a giant boot hovering in the air overhead. Makes me smile to recall this. Did he live in Kips Bay for awhile....? From the vanishing class of 1967.

Michael & Mary Slevin and Family

February 15, 2024

You filled our Hearts with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Always will Remember you Love. The Slevins

Michael Slevin

February 15, 2023

The best and kindness person we ever new, sorry we lost touch.over the years we think about often
Rest in Pease LOve Michael & Mary

Mike & Mart

September 1, 2022

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Louise Kalin and Louis Asekoff

Planted Trees

papi aiden

March 1, 2021

hey ima student of yiur son im guessing well yo wont be seeing this becouse you have passed but i wanna say hi

josé alfaro

February 28, 2020

I met Steve Schultz in the early 70's through political organizing in the west Bronx. By that time Steve was already a doctor, but he dedicated much of his time to being an organizer for a tenant's union we were building. Though our work was completely voluntary, Steve was very committed. At times there was a dangerous nature to our work. Once Steve was threatened by a particularly violent landlord so Steve turned to a street person he met in the neighborhood. Steve had an uncanny ability to make friends with just about everybody and he enlisted this individual to make it clear to the landlord that we wouldn't be intimidated by the landlord's threats. Despite the intensity and difficulty of our work Steve's optimism and enthusiasm were a shining example for the rest of us. And Steve was also a wonderful person to go to just to talk about personal issues.
Despite losing contact with Steve for many years, I'll always remember him as a caring person whose basic humanity was an example for all of us. Thank you Steve.
josé alfaro

Steve Schnapp

February 27, 2020

In 1973, Schultzie was instrumental in recruiting me into organizing efforts in the Bronx. I remember spraining my ankle playing basketball and when it swelled up and turned colors, my wife urged me to get it checked. Knowing a good doctor and comrade who worked at the Lincoln Hospital ER, I went there to have Schultzie tend the injury. The ER was filled with dozens of people sitting in rows of chairs but I knew the doctor and thought I could skip the line. I asked for Schultizie and he emerged from an examination room, took a quick look at my ankle and told me to take a number and sit down with the others and he'd see me soon. Several hours later it was finally my turn and he took good care of me. He never said a word about why he had made me wait but the lesson about assumed privilege and entitlement was clear and eventually, much appreciated.

Erol Radoncic

February 27, 2020

My condolences to the family. Stephen was a great man !

Sallie Witting

February 27, 2020

Stephen and I dated during the spring semester of his first year at Harvard and my first year at Wellesley. I was very much in love. At that time Steve had a dream of becoming a doctor and going to Africa to work with children there. This was before the AIDs epidemic and before the existence of the Peace Corps. His idealism made a deep impression on me. I am not surprised that he led a life of public service. He was fun to be with.
To all his friends and family I extend my sympathy and know you are inspired by his example.
Sallie Kantor (now Witting)

February 22, 2020

Steve was the first person in the NYC Health Department to advocate for needle exchange to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

February 22, 2020

So sorry for your loss, Malissa and Omar. Your father sounds like a man we would have thoroughly enjoyed knowing.

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