Born in Queens, N.Y, Dr. Sweetbaum considered his three greatest achievements his 72-year marriage to his "adored and adorable" wife, Selma; fathering his two sons, Alan and Douglas whom he called "the twin joys of his life;" and welcoming his daughter’s-in-law, Marla and Karen to his adored, expanding family of grandchildren Sara (Adam), Ben (Mallory), Becca ( Greg) and Elizabeth (Bart)and great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Mason, Hudson, Nell and Bennett.
Educated at Long Island University (BA) and New York University (MA), Dr. Sweetbaum completed his doctorate from University of Pennsylvania after the Korean War while serving in the military at Perry Point, MD Veterans Administration Hospital. He and his family moved to Silver Spring in 1959 where he began his career as Chief Clinical Psychologist for Montgomery County Health Department, Division of Child Mental Health. At the same time, he began a decades-long confidential assignment with the CIA where he pioneered the treatment of PTSD for returning agents.
By 1968, Dr. Sweetbaum had established a private practice employing both physicians and psychologists who treated mental health patients of all ages. An active member of the Maryland Psychological Association from 1959, he was elected to the Maryland State Board of Examiners and subsequently took the gavel of this professional organization to serve as President in 1986-87. In 2010, upon his retirement from full-time practice, Dr. Sweetbaum was awarded the MPA Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Psychology.
Beyond his practice, Dr. Sweetbaum was recognized for his international travel to six continents, his eclectic collections of Native American art, ancient artifacts from Africa, Asia, Europe and colonial America and contemporary art from emerging artists. He sailed the Chesapeake in his 26-foot cabin-cruiser and skied with his wife and family from their vacation home in Vail, CO.
Memorial Service will be celebrated Thursday, May 2 at 10:00 AM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Shiva will be observed Thursday, May 2 at 7 PM at the Sweetbaum home. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Sweetbaum Endowment for Seniors, Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD 20852.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0