Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Marvin Sleisenger M.D.

1924 - 2017

BORN

1924

DIED

2017

About

Harvard University University of Pennsylvania University of California San Francisco

FUNERAL HOME

Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery and Mortuary - San Rafael

2500 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, California

Marvin Sleisenger Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Marvin Sleisenger M.D.
Start: 2017-10-29T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Chapel of the Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery

Marvin H. Sleisenger, M.D.

Marvin H. Sleisenger, M.D. of Kentfield, CA died on October 19, 2017. He was 93 years old. He is survived by his son, Thomas P. Sleisenger, daughter-in-law, Gail Mezrow M.D., and three grandsons, Jason, Alex, and Jared. His wife, Lenore Cohen Sleisenger, pre-deceased him in 2009. Dr. Sleisenger was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1924. He attended Harvard College and Harvard Medical School. He trained at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell Medical School. He served in the U.S. Naval Medical Corps during the Korean War. He was a member of the faculty at Cornell Medical School and in 1954, was appointed as Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology. In 1968, he became Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Medicine of the University of California, San Francisco and Chief of the Medical Service at the Veterans Administration Hospital. An accomplished clinician, educator, academician and administrator, he oversaw the rise of the San Francisco VA as an acclaimed academic institution which became part of UCSF. Along with Dr. John Fordtran, he founded and co-edited ten editions of Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, widely regarded as the leading textbook in the field. A Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, and nationally recognized as a Distinguished Physician, he served as Editor of the Journal of Gastroenterology, and as President of the American Gastroenterological Association. He received a Mastership in the American College of Physicians, a fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians, and honorary degrees from a number of institutions, including the University of Nice, and the University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania. His greatest legacy is that of outstanding teacher, mentor and supporter of those who became leading clinicians and professors of medicine both in the United States and internationally. He also had a profound depth of knowledge outside the field of medicine, loved sports, had an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball, and enjoyed sailing on the Long Island Sound and the San Francisco Bay. A devoted family man, he had a wicked sense of humor. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at the Chapel of the Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery, 2500 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the UCSF Marvin H. Sleisenger M.D. Endowed Chair in Medicine.

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Oct. 24 to Oct. 25, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Marvin Sleisenger

Sponsored by Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery and Mortuary - San Rafael.

14 Entries

Yessy

February 22, 2018

With deepest sympathy on the lost of your loved one. May it comfort you that Marvin will return to his youthful vigor as promised at Job 33:25.

Professor ASHLEY Mowat

December 19, 2017

Marvin Slesinger was an inspirational friend ever since we first met during his London sebatical in 1974 . Lenora and Marvin visited Aberdeen medical school some years later and he returned to Cullen Scotland 8 years ago , after Lenor sadly died, and Kathleen and I enjoyed his company for a very happy and memorable week visiting places of interest in northern Scotland. He was already having health problems but was typically very resilient and determined to have a final visit to friends in the UK and Europe. Rest in peace dear friend in the knowledge your huge academic lives on.

William Wang

November 27, 2017

Dear Prof.Sleisenger in God's endearing bosom,

I deeply cherish the memory of being your faithful Chinese interpreter when you visited
Shanghai and Ren-ji hospital,Shanghai Second
Medical University and the time of training as your loyal student and follower.
May you rest in peace and enjoy the blissful
company of the Almighty, our Lord, Jesus Christ in eternal serenity and felicity.

Prof.William Wang,M.D.
Johns Creek,GA

Contact me

Tom F.

November 4, 2017

Best to all of his Family and Friends. I was sad to hear he had passed but, he had a wonderful full life.

I lived across the street from him for almost 30 years until I had to move out of the beautiful area. He and Lenore were great neighbors and were also great with my kids especially, after my wife passed away also. Marvin was always there if we needed anything. I helped Marvin and Lenore when they needed help with the computer or other Internet related problems mostly. When we chatted about things I always loved his stories also as I also love history and wild tales which he had many of both to share. It was also great to be there at his 90th b-day celebration that Tom put together for his dad. I met a lot of his wonderful family and friends and MArvin loved every minute of it of course.

Yes Rosa, was a saint also, she took great care of Lenore when she needed the extra care until her passing. And when Marvin needed the extra care also she was right there too. She fought hard for them both and felt very close to them both i know.

My heart goes out to Tom, his wife and kids as well as Rosa and of course all his other family and Friends.

Now at least we can be happy that he and Lenore are back together and having a blast.

Susan Kritzik

November 2, 2017

He was a wonderful teacher to generations of residents at UCSF. His legacy lives on in all of us whom he taught and inspired.
Susan Kritzik, MD, and Bruce McAuley, MD

Brenda Truta

October 28, 2017

I miss Doctor Sleisenger and extend my condolences to his family. As my mentor, he had the biggest impact in my life. He helped me realize all my dreams in building a life in the United States. He helped me to become a gastroenterologist at a top academic institution. His encouragement motivated me to become a better doctor and better person. My new daughter enjoys the life he helped me create. I am in his debt and will forever honor his memory.

Joel Bloom

October 28, 2017

Our sincere condolences to all the relatives, friends, and colleagues of Uncle Marvin. Especially to Tom, Gail, Jared, Alex, Jason, Soralie, Ed, Rosa, and all his nieces and nephews; and memories of those he now joins - including Lenore, Carol Ann, Reda, Leroy, Celia, Louis, and Abe.

For us, I have many memories of Uncle Marvin. For the last ten years, I talked with him nearly every month since the death of my mother - his sister Reda. We had wonderful personal conversations, and I learned he had been especially touched by Reda's funeral procession which I had directed to pass key family points-of-interest such as from Tilbury St and Forward and to Murray Ave and to Second Ave to the Cemetery in Pittsburgh. So I intentionally guided our telephone conversations over the years through Squirrel Hill, Oakland, Hazelwood, Cambridge, Ithaca, Riverdale, Manhattan, Bayville, Oyster Bay, Centre Island, Prague, San Francisco, Marin County, Kentfield. We exchanged so many stories. Our families. I sent him photos of his childhood with Reda and a horse which he delighted to explain. His broken arm. Taylor Allderdice. Mrs. Plotkin. I sent him history books of Squirrel Hill, Bayville, and Kentfield which he enjoyed talking about. Especially Bayville which he loved. He loved Wayawii Ave. Marvin introduced sailing to me on Long Island Sound, and Lenore introduced me to fishing. Marvin said Lenore was a great fisherwoman. We talked about past sailing experiences frequently. Even the America's Cup replica in Key West. Marvin told me stories about how his childhood friend Leroy met and later married my mother; also when Marvin visited just after I was born, and I howled at him! As a teen visiting Long Island, I watched over Abe while Aunt Lenore rushed Tommy to the hospital for appendicitis. I visited Marvin's nuclear/thyroid lab at Cornell Medical Center. So amazing. We discussed Gene Kelly's mother's dance studio in Squirrel Hill. Joel frequently talked with Abe at Carnegie Tech/CMU student library. Marvin and I talked about my grandpa, Papa Louis Levin. Both of us so loved him. I loved the stories he told of Lenore's methodology for choosing restaurants when Celia visited them. We talked about our careers and retirement and continued reading as much as possible.

In nearly every conversation, Marvin brought up how wonderful Rosa was to him, helped him and cared for him. Rosa deserves our enormous thanks and love. He was so proud of Tom, Gail, and the grandkids. Marvin and Lenore were so happy they moved to San Francisco. He loved San Francisco, the Medical Center, and the VA. I already miss my conversations with Uncle Marvin.

With Love,
Joel & Mary Bloom
Fort Myers, Florida

Jerry Gardner, MD

October 27, 2017

Marv's spirit will live on in the many individuals whose lives he touched.

Pamela F Powell

October 26, 2017

Marvin was a nearly lifelong mentor and Friend to me and my family. He will be sorely missed.

All My Love.

Mark Feldman, MD

October 26, 2017

It was an honor to know Marv, and to work closely with him over many years. A great mentor, friend and intellect, and a fine tennis player. Rest In Peace Marv.

Martin Brotman M.D.

October 25, 2017

Deeply saddened by the loss of a long time friend and exceptional mentor.

Scott R. Powell

October 25, 2017

Fare Thee Well, Dear Friend

Dr. Vince, Lotte & Ali Pons

October 25, 2017

Our deepest condolences for your loss. Marvin was a mentor and special friend to our family and will remain in our hearts forever. He led a full and fruitful life enriching all who met him with humor and endless knowledge on any subject.
We will miss him deeply,

Mount Tamalpais Mortuary Cemetery-Mausoleum-Cremation

October 24, 2017

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results