Dr. Howard C. Wechsler

Dr. Howard C. Wechsler Passed in his sleep at CPMC on the morning of September 23, 2010, with his loving wife of 52 years and best friend, Merna, at his side. He was 73 years young. Howard was an anesthesiologist who served in several MASH units in Vietnam before returning to his home in Highland Park, Illinois, to start private practice. He and Merna met in their first weeks at the University of Illinois and married as juniors. There were both tall, and that is what brought them together, but once they met they never wanted to part. They had one son, Jim, who was already three years old when Howard left on his first tour to Vietnam. They lived for a short time in San Francisco while he was in the service and loved the City. In 1982 they decided to leave Highland Park and return to San Francisco, where Howard engaged himself in philanthropy, made friends with everyone he met, and was loved by everyone that knew him, from the waiter in the restaurant, the cashier at the checkout stand, the parking lot attendant, and the literally hundreds of other people Merna and Howard befriended. They served on the board of the San Francisco Aids Foundation and delivered hot meals to Aids victims, worked diligently as directors and President of Children's Garden in Marin, supported the Coro Foundation, Jewish Vocational Services, and Larkin Street Youth Services, served on the Advisory Board of the Stone Research Foundation, served on the Board of Facing History and Ourselves, supported most of the arts venues in the City and never stopped helping their many friends in any way they could. Howard is survived by his wife Merna, his son Jim and wife, Cheri and his two granddaughters, Kati and Jenni; his brother-in-law Gary Gurvey and wife Susan and their children and grandchildren; and the multitude of others each of whom feels they have just lost their best friend. To celebrate Howard's wonderful life, the family would appreciate donations to any of the following organizations: Save the Children, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880; Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741; or Facing History and Ourselves 24301 Southland Drive #318, Hayward, CA 94545. May this genuinely good and graceful man that we all loved so much rest in peace, and may all the Wechsler family find some solace and strength in the joyful memories of the happy times they shared.