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Elliott Eisenbud Obituary
January 14, 1943 - May 18, 2025
Sacramento, California - Dr. Elliott Eisenbud, M.D., age 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Sacramento, California.
Born in Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York, Dr. Eisenbud led an exceptional life marked by dedication to medicine, family, and athletic achievement. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and went on to receive his medical degree from the New York University Medical Center. He completed advanced training at Stanford University School of Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology at UC Davis.
After completing his residency, Dr. Eisenbud served as a Naval Flight Surgeon, combining his medical expertise with military service. He later settled in Sacramento, where he practiced endocrinology for 50 years, earning the trust and gratitude of countless patients and colleagues.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Eisenbud lived life with unyielding energy and purpose. A passionate endurance athlete, he completed 125 plus marathons, some in under three hours, and ran the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run seven times, each in under 24 hours. He was also a triathlete and a lifelong downhill skier.
In later years, he embraced rowing with the same enthusiasm. Lake Natoma became his second home, and he competed at rowing venues around the world. His athleticism, discipline, and love of nature were a defining part of who he was. Dr. Eisenbud traveled the world with Helene, sharing a deep love of adventure and discovery.
Dr. Eisenbud is survived by his beloved wife, Helene; his children, David, Chad, Jennifer Eisenbud Sawle, and Lauren Eisenbud, M.D.; and eight grandchildren. Our dear husband, father, and grandfather will be sorely missed.
Plans for a Celebration of Life are being arranged for this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. Eisenbud's memory to Sacramento State Aquatic Center Masters Rowing, a place that brought him great joy and community.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elliott Eisenbud
Sponsored by Sacbee.com.
Jessica Menges
June 20, 2025
Dr Eisenbud,
I owe a lot to this man I came to his as a new MA fresh out of school and he taught me so much and was like a grandfather figure giving the best advice. When I was ready to leave work he told me to try a department I never wanted to be in because I would never know the outcome. Well now 4 years later I am still in the department I thought I would hate and pursuing my nursing career that he said i am more than capable of doing well I felt I didn´t know if I could. I am so sorry to hear he has passed away and my condolences to the family!
Joyce and Jim Karver
June 17, 2025
Sorry to hear about Elliott. Joyce and I have known Elliott and Helene for 49 years. Ran our first marathon together. Joyce has been trying to find Helene's phone number with no success. Helene, if you see this please call Joyce @. 451-5049. Would love to talk to you. Missed you both the last few years. Prayers for you and family.
William & Jacqueline Cushard
June 10, 2025
Dr. Eisenbud was a skilled clinician and respected colleague. He was always reliably quick with the correct decision. If a course of action was in doubt, it would turn out that he was right. Those who knew this cordial man also knew Helene, for they were inseparable and beloved for that. We hope the next generation will be up to the challenge of serving as well. Condolences to Helene and family.
William and Jacqueline Cushard
Dorothy Missler
June 4, 2025
Helene and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers. May you always hold sweet memories of Elliott close to your hearts. With sorrow, Dorothy and Megan Missler.
Jerry Haym
June 1, 2025
A great 59 year friend
Douglas Souvignier
June 1, 2025
Dr Eisenbud was my PCP for about 35 years and am sad to hear of his passing. I fondly recall his excellent care and personal friendship. I would like to attend his celebration of life when the details are finalized. Douglas Souvignier, [email protected] or 916-607-6146. Thanks you.
David Wolf
May 28, 2025
Elliott was a dear, sweet fellow with whom I had become friends through our gym. I will always value his wise counsel and support. Many of us at the gym were fond of Elliott and his wife, Helene, too. He will be greatly missed.
John Mounier
May 28, 2025
A long life working and competing at full speed!
My heart is with Helene, David, Chad, Jennifer, and Lauren.
John Mounier & Family
Dr. & Mrs. Brian McDowell
May 28, 2025
Elliott and Helene were so kind to Mary Anne and I when we first started our practice in 1975. He could always be seen running every noon hour in the neighborhood around Mercy San Juan Hospital. He was a great physician and will be missed.
Cindi Dulgar
May 27, 2025
Prayers for healing hearts for the entire family! Elliots home away from home was Lake Natoma. So many in the world of rowing have been touch by Elliots influence......Forever grateful!!!
Rest in peace
Carol Metz
May 26, 2025
Sending love and prayers to Helene and family
Sidney and Linda Yassinger
May 26, 2025
Linda and I have known the Eisenbuds for almost 50 years. Elliot was a good guy, respected physician, and an ultra athlete. Despite his medical problems, he continued to serve his patients. He will be missed.
Malcolm Ettin
May 26, 2025
Great doc and great athlete. sorely missed
George L. Parrott
May 26, 2025
I first met Elliott around 1986 at Rio Del Oro Tennis and Swimming club. He was an already experienced marathon runner from earlier in his career (and had been a collegiate javelin athlete as an undergraduate at Wisconsin). There was to be the first full marathon race coming to this area in the next year, and Elliott was our inspiration and advisor as several of us decided to try this very challenging distance. I think Elliott probably finished at least 45 minutes ahead of me in that first Sacramento Marathon, but we soon became Wednesday afternoon long run companions and we would run from the Rio clubhouse down the bike trail to Discovery Park and back through the streets of Sacramento...I had more knees issues in my 2nd marathon effort and dropped out of that one, but only about 6 months from my painful debut, at the Paul Masson Marathon in the South Bay Area, I finished just ahead of Elliott!!! I think he just had a bad day....3 months after that, Elliott had a really GOOD DAY and he broke 3 hours at the full marathon distance at the Bidwell Classic Marathon in Chico...leaving me in the dust once more...For so many of the early and inexperienced would-be runners in the Greater Sacramento area, Elliott Eisenbud was our inspiration, our hero, our guide, and for the fortunate fewer of us....our good friend. He had a wonderful and full life, but he will be remembered well and missed always....
Dr and Mrs Stephen Goetz
May 26, 2025
Elliott was a kind and compassionate doctor and friend. We will be missed and our hearts go out to his dear family.
Michael McCormick
May 26, 2025
Dr. Eisenbud helped me tremendously from 2021 forward. He was the best, and will be missed.
Michael Norris
May 26, 2025
I've known Elliot since the late 80s and we both did marathons and ultra runs. Elliot was the ultimate runner and I heard he tried cycling with the bicycle racing group one year. He was like me and a bit of a klutz on a bike although I'm sure we both had plenty of long distance bike rides under our belts. I converted to running from bicycling and that's how I found out I was a much better runner than I was ever a bicyclist and it was normal for me to see Elliot somewhere in a running race lineup. I remember reading that Elliot had the sole distinction of completing almost 20 or so "Sacramento Marathon" races in a row before they converted the race to the "CowTown Marathon". I sometimes didn't go to the doctor for years on end for a checkup and once my job asked me for my doctor's name. I wrote down Elliot's name even though he has never examined me in an office setting. I told Elliot in the middle of a race that I had put his name down as my doctor and I wanted to know whether or not I passed my exam. He joked back at me and pointed his finger and said "you passed". I guess I passed because I was in the middle of an ultra run and that was good enough.
You couldn't meet a nicer guy that Elliot. May he rest in peace on that great running trail in the sky.
Michael Norris
Fair Oaks, CA
Gordy Vredenburg
May 26, 2025
Did a few races with the good Doctor.
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