Elliott Michael (Ollie) Feigenbaum died peacefully Wednesday October 5, 2016, surrounded by his adoring family, after a long and happy life.
Born December 1, 1921 in Philadelphia PA to Sam & Jessie Feigenbaum, he eventually landed permanently in San Francisco, as an anesthesia intern at Mt. Zion hospital. As a beneficiary of the federal V-12 program, he attended Tulane University & the University of Arkansas Medical School, and briefly the Podiatry School of San Francisco, but he preferred to consider himself an honorary alum of his adopted alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley.
In January 1950, Ollie wed his sweetheart, Laurel Hill, whom he affectionately called Arnold, and they remained happily married for 66+ years. In addition to Laurel, he leaves three children: Judy Katsin (Daniel), Peter Feigenbaum (Cheryl), and Carol Staenberg (Michael). Ollie was so proud of his seven grandchildren: Sam & Hillary Katsin, Elizabeth & Andrew Feigenbaum, and Rachael Brightfield (Joel), Hannah & Leah Staenberg. His great delight was great-granddaughter, Rosalind Brightfield. Pre-deceased by his younger brother, Larry and sister-in-law, Marian, Ollie also is survived by their children, Paul Feigenbaum (Judy Kemeny), Robert (Ludy) Feigenbaum, and Ellen Feigenbaum (Peter Schwab), and their families, and cousin, Susie Jestadt.
During a successful career as an anesthesiologist, Ollie did something unusual for the era, and began a new career as a Psychiatrist. He returned to residency in the early 1960s at Langley Porter Institute, and became somewhat of a pioneer in the budding field of gerontology.
For much of his life, Ollie was an enthusiastic golfer, who once shot a 76, and an aspiring baseball player, whose name would've been "Mike Elliott". Active and interested in the world throughout his life, he particularly enjoyed attending "school" at the Fromm Institute. Ollie was a Korean War veteran. He served in a MASH unit, which he believed to be the basis of the popular TV series, and he enjoyed sharing stories of the unit's escapades, even lecturing about the experience to his fellow Fromm students.
Ollie was a lifelong SF Giants fan, who required his soup extra hot & his Martinis extra dry with an olive and an onion. Widely known for his sparkling blue eyes, his big smile, his great sense of humor, and his warm, sweet nature, he will be greatly missed by his many fans, admirers & loved ones.
The family would especially like to thank the amazing team of carers/companions who made his life easier, Metkel Tecle, Mehret Haile, and Nicky Magat.
Funeral services, Friday October 7, 1pm at Sinai Memorial Chapel - 1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco. Memorial Donations preferred to the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Oct. 6 to Oct. 7, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Elliott Feigenbaum

Sponsored by Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha.

7 Entries

Ruth Rubin

October 16, 2016

I'm so sorry for the loss of Ollie. I'm his cousin Howard's daughter Ruthie Goldstein Rubin. I always loved speaking to Ollie. He reminded me of his father Uncle Sam. I loved his parents, Uncle Sam and Aunt Jessie. My grandmother Minnie was always so happy when speaking to both of them!
As my parents got older and were in an assisted living facility, Ollie called them frequently. It made them so happy to hear from him. He and my father were boyhood friends.......in fact my Dad would always tell us that they would often get in trouble together.
Hopefully they will meet again in heaven. Friends to the end.
Ruthie

October 12, 2016

I was an analyst and worked with Dr. Feigenbaum at the DDS in Oakland, back in the 1990's. He was such a sweetheart and definitely one of my favorite doctors. We had many laughs in Team 14!

My condolences to his family.
Barbara Harman

Russ Adamson

October 8, 2016

As I sit here at The Sea Ranch with memories flooding the mind, I read about a friend who has passed. For many years, we met on the first tee either on the last day or the first day of the year to celebrate the fine art of gamesmanship in search of an additional stroke or advantage in the upcoming contest. Having played today, I remembered the joy with which we approached the contest and the discussion held on the nuances of the game. Time well spent. While it has been years since those events happened, they are and always have been frequent remembrances. The strength of the character of the man who just passed. God bless his soul. Thank you Ollie
Russ Adamson

Robin Wallach

October 8, 2016

Bumping into this sweet, dear man with twinkling eyes --- who was chuckling at being hopelessly lost in a maze of identical corridors in his eldest daughter, Judy's, college --- changed my life for ever! I was astonished to find we lived just a few streets away more than 400 miles from that echoing corridor.

I have Ollie to thank for my best friend and a priceless extension of my family. I'll miss his warmth and gentle humour and for modelling and sharing his passion for Lifelong Learning.

He will be hugely missed by all who knew him but by me especially for so profoundly enriching my life. His grandchildren, Sam and Hillary, are as treasured by me as my own children. Thank you, Ollie!

Arthur Lyons

October 7, 2016

I don't believe a more popular figure ever walked the halls of the old Mt. Zion than Ollie. He had a particular personality that made everyone he encountered like him, whether a patient, nurse, colleague or janitor. It was because he loved and respected them all. No-one had a greater sense of humor than Ollie who had the rare ability to see the lighter side of every situation.
Ollie was a skilled and knowledgable physician who had the respect of everyone who knew him and all including me, considered it a priviledge to call him a friend.
Ollie's passing leaves a gaping hole in the lives of all who knew and loved him. He will be terribly missed.

Ollie, hail and farewell!

Al Oppenheim

October 7, 2016

Olie will be long remembered by me as he was one of my most interesting patients, always willing and able to converse about a myriad of subjects and always asking me about my golfing exploits and partners who were once upon a time his. He will be missed by all of us lucky enough to have known this man who was simply put a gem.
My deepest condolences to the family and in particular his bride of 66 years.

Nancy Kuhn

October 7, 2016

Being close friends with youngest daughter Carol in our teen years, I fondly remember Dr. Feigenbaum- sleepovers at their home in Cow Hollow and the fun times spent in summer at the Marin house with the steep driveway.
Heartfelt sympathy to the family, may his memory be for a blessing.My thoughts are with you at this sad time.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results