Howard M. Grey M.D.

Howard M Grey, MD passed away on the night of December 22nd, 2019. He lived his life as he intended and was only very ill for the last two weeks of his life. As he did throughout his life, he taught his family and friends what true character and bravery looked like.

Howard was born to Harry Goldberg and Sophie Lagin Goldberg on August 16, 1932 in Jamaica Queens, New York. He had an older sister Doris and his uncle Barney Laginsky lived with them when he was growing up. He was very close to his family but unfortunately his parents were killed in a plane crash when he was an 18 year old college freshman.

He finished college at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to medical school at New York University. After his training he realized he was more suited for research then clinical medicine and started his career as a as an immunologist. His training included fellowships with some of the leaders in the field including Frank Dixon and Henry Kunkel. As an intern at Hopkins he met a beautiful and lively nurse named Hilda Kassoff and the two were married New Years Eve 1957.

Howie and Hilda had 3 boys in 30 months and the Greys lived on La Jolla with "H" working at Scripps Institute. Howie then took a job heading up research at National Jewish hospital in Denver, Colorado in 1970. He returned to La Jolla for a second stint as the medical director of a new biotech company. After his brief stint in the private sector, Howie became the president of the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology. He stayed at that position until his retirement at the age of 82.

Howard Grey exemplified intelligence, compassion, and intellectual integrity throughout his life. He was fortunate to work with many outstanding colleagues and left a definite mark in his field. He was named the outstanding alumnus from NYU medical school and was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences where his entire family was able to watch him receive this well-deserved honor. To name the people that were instrumental in his career would take way too long but suffice to say that his work will live on through those that he mentored and worked with.

Howie was also the greatest father anyone could ask for. He was always available to talk about what was going on in his family's life and he gave the greatest advice when asked. He dedicated his life to his family, his work, and to the pursuit of knowledge. He could speak on almost any subject and was the most well-read person and smartest person that his family ever knew. We will miss him greatly but realize how much we have benefited from having him in our life for all this time.

We love him so much.