Herbert Langsam

Herbert Langsam born to Bessie and Irving Langsam February 28, 1931, in the Bronx, New York. He died February 7, 2012. He came to Norman, Oklahoma in 1948 to attend the University of Oklahoma School of Pharmacy. He graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1952 on the Dean’s Honor Roll. He met Dorothy Ernistine Goodman at OU. They were married June 7, 1952. They had one child, Shelley Ann Langsam Savage who survives him. After graduation he worked as a Pharmacist in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He was the owner of Skillern Drug from 1959 until 1961 where he began providing medications for nursing home patients. In 1961, he purchased the pharmacy in Mayfair Shopping Center and renamed it Langsam Pharmacy. He continued to serve nursing home patients, pioneering the review of the medication profiles by a pharmacist to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. He was one of the first pharmacists in the United States to be paid for his services. He closed Langsam Pharmacy in 1987 opening Langsam’s Health Service, a closed pharmacy for nursing home service only. In 1991, he sold his business to Omni Care and became their political lobbiest for 7 years. In 1970 Herb was one of 40 pharmacists across the country to form the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. He served as President of ASCP in 1991 and 1992. As President he served on the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners. After serving as President, he served several times as Treasurer of ASCP. He never missed an annual or bi-annual meeting from 1970 through November 2011. His expertise in Medicare issues earned him a respected reputation as a speaker and consultant to members of the United States Government Health Care Agency. In April of 1998, Mr. Langsam and his late wife endowed a Chair of Geriatric Pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy. He was a long-time member of the O.U. College of Pharmacy Dean’s National Advisory Board. He was a great supporter of the ASCP Student Chapter at the OU School of Pharmacy. He was an avid OU football fan and a season ticket holder. He attended many bowl games-wins or lose-he supported them. As a long time and devoted member of Emanuel Synagogue, Herb attended daily services and held many positions, including Men’s Club President and Synagogue President. He served on the Board of Directors for many years and served as Treasurer of the Synagogue for more than ten years. His longest term of office was his perennial chairmanship of the High Holy Days Seating Committee and Director of the Congregational Honors to the Torah during High major Synagogue Funds to his care. His Jewish Community involvement extended to serving on the Board of The Jewish Federation Foundation. Herb was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and Irving Langsam, his wife Dorothy, brother Ralph Langsam. He is survived by his daughter Shelley Ann Savage, his long time friend and partner of the last 6 years Sharon Moore; granddaughter Hailey Moore; niece Carol Lisbon and husband Alan Lisbon of Dover, Ma., niece Diane Bernstein and husband Stine Bernstein of Chappaqua, Ny., grandniece, Amy Lisbon Branton and husband Michael; great grandniece Lila Branton of Boston, Ma., grand niece Emily Lisbon of Dover, Mal, grandniece Alison Bernstein Bardill and her husband Patrick; great grandniece Abegail of Atlanta, Ga., grand niece Karen Bernstein Wandt and her husband Adam of New York, Ny.; nephew Charles Schwartz and wife Bonnie of Valley Village , Ca., and Joshua Tree; great niece Shana Traina and husband Sean Caruthers and their daughter Cassidy Jane; niece Susan Scruggs and husband Stephen Scruggs of Longmont, Co. We wish to express our sincere thanks to Dr. Robert Salinas and Dr. Mark Stratton for their help and support at this time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emanuel Synagogue Endowment or ASCP Foundation. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Emanuel Synagogue, 900 N.W. 47th Street, Oklahoma City. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.