Dr. Mark F. Kaufman

1940 - 2020

Dr. Mark F. Kaufman

Indian Wells - Dr. Mark F. Kaufman, a well-respected valley urologist, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2020 in Indian Wells with his wife of 56 years, Fran, at his side, after an eight-year battle with vascular dementia.

Mark was born on March 31, 1940 in LaSalle, Illinois to Erwin and Lillian Kaufman and lived in Chicago until the age of 12, when his family moved to Los Angeles, California. Mark graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1958 and returned to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago, where he graduated in 1962 with a degree in microbiology. Coming back to Los Angeles, Mark became a medical student at the USC School of Medicine and graduated with high honors in 1966, followed by a year of internship at LA County General Hospital, and a year of general surgery residency at UCLA School of Medicine.

In August of 1968, he was inducted as a captain into the United States Air Force and spent two years as a general surgeon at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, Oklahoma. From 1970 to 1974, Mark trained as a urologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Then, he and his family moved to the Coachella Valley where he opened his first office at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) in Indio followed by a second office at Eisenhower Medical Center.

Professionally, Mark was highly regarded by both his patients and medical colleagues. He was a dedicated physician and excellent surgeon who took time to mentor new doctors and nurses alike. He took life seriously and believed what you do and how you show up matters. He valued hard work and loved practicing medicine. After 40 years, Mark retired in 2013, due to his illness. However, according to colleagues, he probably would still be practicing medicine right now if he had been able.

Mark served as both Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at JFK Hospital. At Eisenhower, he served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery as well as Medical Staff Secretary-Treasurer. He was an active member of the Board of Counselors of the Riverside County Medical Association, and on the Board of Trustees at both JFK an Eisenhower. In addition, Mark was President of the Palm Springs Academy of Medicine. He was board certified by the American Board of Urology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

When not working, Mark enjoyed golfing at Indian Wells Country Club where he was a member for over 40 years. He also loved the water and was an excellent swimmer who was on swim teams in both high school and college, and he worked as a lifeguard in Los Angeles. Mark loved deep sea fishing from the time he was a teenager and often took his children with him to teach them the sport. He shared several fishing trips to Mexico with his son Joseph, but his prized catch was made with his daughters, Elaine and Marcie, when he landed "Marty the Marlin" in 1998 off Kona, Hawaii.

Mark loved to travel, especially to Hawaii every year, and on cruises with Fran. Together, they visited many countries around the world, on five continents, and took many trips with their family too. Mark was an adventurer and made each trip a learning experience. He especially loved going to Italy, Israel, and was thrilled to visit the pyramids in Egypt. Travel allowed Mark to truly unplug from his work and relax. He also loved spending long weekends at his beach house in Dana Point.

Mark loved music, especially classical, and had annual tickets to the Palm Springs Friends of the Philharmonic and continuously listened to KUSC. His eclectic taste in music also spanned from Santana and the Gipsy Kings, to Hawaiian music, and mariachis. Mark and Fran were very philanthropic and supported The Palm Valley School, Jewish Federation of the Desert, Congregation Har El (as a board member), Temple Sinai (as a founding member) and Eisenhower. He traveled monthly to Blythe to treat patients there, often free of charge, so they would not have to make the long trip to the Coachella Valley.

Mark met Fran, the love of his life, in the summer of 1960 when they were both in college. They were married in 1964 in Los Angeles, while Mark was a junior medical student at USC. They shared a loving, trusting, and devoted partnership in every aspect of their lives. Their son, Joseph, was born in Los Angeles, and daughter Elaine was born in Oklahoma, while Mark was in the Air Force. Daughter Marcie was born in Palm Springs after Mark had started his medical practice. As a father, Mark made sure that his children received excellent educations, and he instilled in them Jewish values, self-reliance, and hard work ethics. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, and all their accomplishments.

Mark is survived by his wife, Fran, his son Joseph (Janet) Kaufman of Scarsdale, New York; his daughter Elaine (Robert) Grunauer of Los Angeles; and his daughter Marcie (Robert) Tumpak of Dana Point. He is also survived by his six grandchildren whom he adored: Joshua and Caroline Kaufman; Ryan, Gabriel and Lily Grunauer; and Felix Tumpak. He is also survived by his sister Ann Kaufman of Tucson, Arizona; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Barbara and Fred Gaines of Los Angeles; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Drs. James and Robin Doroshow of Bethesda, Maryland; nephew Jeremy (Ashley) Gaines; nieces Amanda (Jeremy) Ciporen and Dr. Debbie (Todd Olszewski) Doroshow; and five grand nephews and nieces. Mark was predeceased by his parents Erwin and Lillian Kaufman of Palm Desert, and his in-laws Dr. George and Tobette Doroshow of Palm Springs.

A Zoom family funeral service was held on November 24th and Mark was buried in Los Angeles on December 1, 2020. Due to Covid-19, the family is planning a memorial service for a later date. Contributions in Mark's memory can be made to Eisenhower's Memory Care Center, Jewish Federation of the Desert, and Congregation Har El. The family would like to thank Mark's caregivers, Joy and Gilbert Ramos, Margarita Ocana, Blanca de Jesus and Vilma Alvarenga for their efforts and dedication to Mark. Thanks also to Family Hospice and the staff of Visiting Angels for their support. In addition, the family recognizes the staff of the Eisenhower Memory Care Center for their kindness and caring for Mark. Their wonderful programs were a blessing and the center is a great asset to our local community.