Gerald Schoenfeld

Gerald K. Schoenfeld, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at the University of Maryland BW Medical Center. Gerry was born on September 2, 1929 to Joseph and Rebecca Schoenfeld in Yonkers, NY. He graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Cornell University and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Gerry specialized in anesthesiology, working as an officer in the Navy and was stationed in Japan, where he had his daughter Bethe with his first wife, Rita. While there, he served as a part-time mohel, helping other Jewish families in the area. His son, Robert was born soon after Gerry left the Navy and the family moved to Fresh Meadows, NY and from there, Baltimore, MD. After his marriage with Rita dissolved, Gerry tried matrimony again, meeting his wife, Phyllis. He was happily married to Phyllis for 51 years, welcoming her sons Rob and Larry, and later their families, as his own. Gerry also lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Huntington, West Virginia, before retiring with Phyllis in Pikesville, MD.  He was known by his colleagues for his ability to nail difficult intubations, his never-ending supply of “Gerry” jokes, and his love of dark chocolate.  His family remembers his devotion to Phyllis, in the background while she played Mahjong with her friends, as he endlessly formatted his computer. He will be missed.

Predeceased by his parents and his sister, Rosalind Medoff, Gerry is survived by his wife Phyllis, his son Robert (Lou Ann), daughter Bethe (Asher), Robert Gershon (Linda) and Larry Gershon (Leslie), as well as grandchildren Lavi Coren (Keren), Shani Coren, Meshi Coren, Ari Schoenfeld, Allison Mueller (Colin), Emily Gershon (Ethan), Jordan Gershon and Alex Gershon, and 1 great-granddaughter, Lila Coren. In lieu of a memorial service, donations may be made in Gerry’s name to a Jewish charity of your choice.