Dr. Yoel Irwin Haller

1930 - 2025

Dr. Yoel Irwin Haller
10/30/1930 - 11/03/2025
Dr. Yoel I. Haller--Devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and beloved physician--passed away peacefully, surrounded with love, at the age of 95.
Graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in just three years, Yoel continued at Penn to complete medical school. He built a distinguished and deeply meaningful career as an obstetrician-gynecologist in San Francisco, where he helped deliver hundreds of babies and cared for generations of families. Known for his warmth, wisdom, and gentle humor, he was cherished by his patients and colleagues alike. His joyful professionalism was exalted in the 1984 book, Having a Baby, by Danielle Steel, Diana Burt and Katherine Dusay.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Yoel was an early and passionate advocate for women's rights and reproductive freedom, and proudly served as the Medical Director of Planned Parenthood for San Francisco and Northern California. In addition, he championed fathers being in the delivery room long before doing so was the norm. Beyond medicine, his life reflected a deep love of art, music, and the theater.
A lifelong traveler and world explorer, Yoel met with global leaders and shared his enthusiasm and curiosity wherever he went. He treated everyone he met with dignity, compassion and kindness and made each person feel seen and valued.
In true partnership with his cherished wife, Eva, Yoel made numerous profound and impactful contributions to the world. Their shared vision and dedication to humanitarian causes and the arts shaped a legacy of philanthropy and leadership that has touched countless lives. Eva loved Yoel deeply and was there by his side, through both joyous and challenging times.
Yoel's personal life was as full and rich as his professional one. He was married to Darcy Fink (1954–1972), Carola Myers Duhl (1974–1985), and since 1987, to his beloved wife Eva Cseko Haller. He is survived by Eva; his children Heidi Haller Groshelle, Reuben Haller (McKenzie) and Ellen Haller (Joanne); his stepchildren Pam Duhl (John), Nina Duhl, David Duhl (Kathy) Susan Duhl, and Ernan Roman (Sherry); his grandchildren Zane Groshelle, Eli Groshelle, Daniel Fishman-Engel, Elijah Haller, Devon Haller, Elias Roman (Sarah) and Helaina Perry (John); and a huge global circle of friends, colleagues, and patients who adored him.
Yoel truly savored the beauty of nature, of music, of art, and above all, of family. He was endlessly positive, curious, and open to new experiences. A true ambassador of kindness and caring, his legacy lives on in the lives he touched, in those who received his skilled care as a physician, and in the love he shared with all of us.
Services will be held on Friday, November 7th at 10:00am at the Music Academy of the West, Lehman Hall at 10:00am in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please consider a donation to Planned Parenthood.