Stephen Shohet
11/29/1934 - 03/01/2024
Stephen Byron Shohet, MD was born on November 29, 1934, to Harmon and Grace (Cohen) Shohet in Boston, Mass. and died on March 1, 2024 in San Francisco after a fortunate and enthusiastic life.
Stephen was raised in Brookline with his older sister, Marcia. He graduated from Harvard college with a summa in English, after which he embarked on a distinguished career in academic medicine, including medical school and residency at Harvard, a fellowship at the NIH, and a first faculty job at Boston Children's Hospital. In 1971 he moved the family to San Francisco where he served as Chief of Hematology at UCSF, continuing his studies of red cell structure and biochemistry, and teaching and mentoring a generation of medical students and hematology fellows until his retirement in 2003.
Outside of the lab Stephen worked unceasingly to satisfy an outsized curiosity, pursuing many interests with rare fervor and focus. He always leapt in with both feet. His curiosity about the genetics of tropical fish while he was still in medical school led to 52 tanks of guppies in the basement. Fascinated by boatbuilding, he constructed a 33-foot yawl in the family's backyard, to the bemusement of his Bethesda neighbors. He later devoted almost a decade to building a 44-foot ketch, in which he sailed to the Galapagos Islands in 1987 to collect samples of sand lizard blood for evolutionary studies of red cell proteins. On the sail home he lost power and was incommunicado for close to a month while he navigated by sextant to the Marquesas Islands to repair his electronics. He was an omnivorous and knowledgeable collector, especially devoted to the acquisition and restoration of antique cameras. Each of his passions brought him into a community of fellow enthusiasts which he fostered and appreciated.
The love of his life and inseparable partner in all of these endeavors was Geraldine (Poplack) Shohet, who predeceased him by 7 months after 67 years of marriage. He leaves his beloved sister, Marcia Zonis; 4 children: Ralph, Grace, Jason and Juliet; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and a legacy of striving to understand the world.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Apr. 3, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Shohet

Sponsored by Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha.

6 Entries

Stewart B. Dunsker, MD

May 1, 2024

Steve, Fred Schroeder, and I were roommates at Harvard for four years. During that time, I had the pleasure of knowing both Steve and Gerri and even taking part in their wedding. Two finer people I never met. Their enthusiastic approach to life, their smiles that accompanied the joy they always found in simple adventures, and their scholarship accompanied everything they did.
Even in college Steve was a mentor to his roommates, frequently showing us a better and faster way to do something. Steve was the only one who was able to beat the famous organic chemistry professor, Louis Fieser, in the race to synthesize a chemical dye, Martius yellow.
Steve and I had not seen each other since graduation until he came to Cincinnati to view the laboratory at the blood bank. We had a delightful lunch and reviewed old times.
I was sorry to hear when Gerry passed away and most surprised to see that Stephen followed her in such a short time.
Although I cannot ease the pain of the loss of this wonderful researcher and human being, please know that my prayers are with the entire family.

Rory Robertson

April 13, 2024

Hi Grace,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad! He sounded like a great man! I wish I could have met him!
Sending love and hugs to you and yours!

Ro

Michael D and Tracy McF

April 11, 2024

Best wishes to the whole Shohet family. Our thoughts are with you. This obituary describes far better than anything we could add Stephen's infectious energy and broad ranging curiosity.

Craig and Debbie (Stein) Hoffman

April 7, 2024

Sending deepest condolences to the entire Shohet family at this sad time. With fond memories and blessings to all.

David Silver

April 5, 2024

My good buddy Steve, and Geraldine as well, both of you rest in peace together. For me Steve was the ultimate gentleman and scholar, a true renaissance man, a cherished friend, and possessor of a boundless childlike curiosity. He never stopped asking questions; he never stopped learning. For the many years he collected antique and classic cameras, he called me his "mentor", always contacting me about his newest discoveries, and asking me about elements of history and technology he wanted to understand. His joy was infectious. In the past decade, he surprised me often with what he found, the scarce items he saved and restored to original condition, and his stories of treasure hunting for the most rare and elusive pieces. In this way, the student surpassed the master some time ago, but I always remained a privileged guest to his growing collection. I will miss his and Gerry´s hospitality, the amazing expansive circle of extended family to which I was invited, and our shared love of the arts and science and more. Godspeed to them both, blessings into eternity, and thank you for so many years of kindness and friendship.

David and Carol Stollar

April 5, 2024

We send our condolences on your loss, with fond memories of happy days we shared with your family in Newton - including a special boating and ice cream day on Buzzard´s Bay. We remember Steve´s exceptional personality, well captured in this memorial notice. May his memory always be a blessing for you.

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