Robert Mendle

1917 - 2015

Dr. Robert A. Mendle

November 16, 1917 - July 5, 2015

Dr. Robert A. Mendle, family doctor, world traveler, teacher, lover of the great outdoors, and official birdwatcher passed away peacefully in his home on July 5th. Born November 16th, 1917, Dr. Mendle lived an incredibly full life. He was a San Francisco native and resided in the Richmond district almost the entirety of his life. Dr. Mendle was blessed to meet his wife of 74 years, Barbara Paula Murphy, in the founding class of Presidio Middle School. Dr. Mendle and Barbara married in 1941 and a few years later bought their house that they have lived in for 65 years on 29th Avenue. In 1947 they welcomed their son, Robert, and had many wonderful family years together. Every night he and his wife enjoyed the tradition of having a drink before dinner (for him a Gibson with a twist, for her a V.O. on ice) while playing cribbage before having dinner, or before socializing with friends, watching Giants games, attending the symphony, or spending nights out enjoying the city that they loved so well.

Dr. Mendle and Barbara, along with their son, friends or family, had the great pleasure of traveling the world; making numerous trips exploring almost every continent. Dr. Mendle had especially fond memories of his time spent in Europe; most notably the years he was stationed in Berlin, Germany with his family, as a physician for the army. In addition, he had a deep appreciation of exploring the great outdoors here in the States. He and his family spent many weekends hiking on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin county, exploring Yosemite and the Sierra foothills, and spending summer weeks in the small town of Graeagle where he hiked, swam, fished, golfed, biked, and spent many hours birdwatching.

Dr. Mendle attended Lowell high school in San Francisco, attended UC Berkeley and went on to medical school where he graduated in 1941, as one of the last groups of doctors to be trained as physicians before the antibiotic era. Dr. Mendle loved practicing medicine and had a deep respect for science. He also had a great connection with his patients, and often made house calls to patients who were unable to come into his office. As his wife Barbara said, "Bob was dearly loved by his patients. He was the epitome of what one would expect a good all-around doctor to be."

Dr. Mendle practiced as a general practitioner for over 50 years, with some time spent doing surgery. He was very pleased to share his medical office in the heart of the city on Sutter Street, with his son, Bob, who also became a physician. Together they shared many years treating the diverse and lively community of San Francisco, and partnered with Mt. Zion and UCSF where Dr. Mendle also mentored many young medical residents and new doctors. Dr. Mendle used his great love of science and nature to be a docent at the Academy of Sciences after retiring from medicine at the age of 85. He never tired of learning or teaching; in fact he thrived on doing so.

Dr. Mendle had an incredible memory and loved sharing stories of his rich life experiences; especially over a good meal, while golfing, or playing cards. He enjoyed food with gusto, frequenting the city's many local restaurants where he became a regular; often enjoying sushi lunches with his colleagues or dim sum with his wife and son, and later with his son's family, his grandchildren, cousins and even later in life; his great granddaughters. Never did he miss a perfect opportunity to tell a funny joke. He had a great sense of humor which helped him connect with so many different people, friends and family and his patients.

Dr. Mendle will always be remembered as a great teacher, an enthusiastic conversationalist, a family man and loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle and a man of great character. Dr. Mendle will be dearly missed and always remembered by his community and his family. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Mendle, his grandson, Max Mendle, his granddaughter, Simcha Mendle and her daughters; his great granddaughters, Amaya and Solana, his grandchildren's mother Cathi Mendle (Karen Johnson), his niece Marilyn Guerin (Tom), his nephew Bruce Mendle (Ranji and children, Aaron, Andrew, and Amanda), and his nephew, Gilad Hirschberger (Naama and children), many cousins, and devoted friend, Dr. Arthur Lyons.

Dr. Mendle's memorial service will be held at Temple Emmanuel, where he and his wife have been members since 1954 and attended services and life celebrations throughout their lives.

The memorial service will be held at noon on Sunday, July 19th in the Martin Meyer Sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the adjoining room. Please attend in honor of Dr. Mendle with your memories and stories; of which he was always so very fond.