Joseph M. Edelman

Dr. Joseph M. Edelman died Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the age of 95 at his home in Baton Rouge. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Fran Greenberg Edelman; daughters Dr. Susan Edelman, of Palo Alto, CA, and Ann Edelman, of Baton Rouge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Rose Edelman. Dr. Edelman was born July 11, 1920, in Fort Worth, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1940 and a medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans in 1943. He completed a surgery internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital, surgery residence at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, neurological residency at the Neurological Institute of New York and a fellowship at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, where he met his wife. He served as a U.S. Army medical officer during World War II. Dr. Edelman was an instructor of neurosurgery at Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans, attending neurosurgeon to the Veterans Administration Hospital in New Orleans and for many years had a private practice in neurosurgery in Baton Rouge. After his long career in medicine, Dr. Edelman moved to a second career in medical computers and telephone systems in the mid 1970's and started several businesses in his new fields. He was a true hobbyist with numerous interests including building and flying remote control airplanes, photography, music, and electronics. He and Fran were noted hosts who frequently entertained at dinners followed by movies shown in his home projection studio. Dr. Edelman was also past president and member of the board of directors of The Society for Computer Medicine. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 23, at noon at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, with services to follow at 1:00 p.m. conducted by Rabbi Jordon Goldson. Burial will follow in the Jewish Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are Sidney Blitzer, Alan Edelman, Richard Edelman, David Humphreys, Robert Thompson, Leonard Smith, Mel Schudmak and Herman Van Os. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to Congregation B'nai Israel, 3354 Kleinert Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.