Dr Edward Benjamin Feinberg

Edward (Eddie) Benjamin Feinberg, beloved by his family and friends and admired and respected by his patients and colleagues, died unexpectedly but peacefully in his Santa Clara, California home December 7, 2022 at the age of 69. Ed was born October 6, 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Phyllis and Norman Feinberg. He is predeceased by his parents and older brother David. He is survived by his sister Iris and brother-in-law Myron Brown of Graham, Washington and served as officiant for their daughter, Kara’s wedding in 2021. He is survived by his daughter, the light of his life, Amora Rose Karolczuk, and her partner Jonas Low, and their five children Bowen, David, Sage, Cocora, and Lotus. These five children nicknamed "Papa Eddie".

Ed lived a full life of accomplishments, adventure, and joy. He received a Bachelor of Science with honors in anatomy and physiology from UC Berkeley in 1976, which happened to be the same day his daughter was born. He completed his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West Santa Clara, California in 1983 as Magna Cum Laude salutatorian. He attained postgraduate certification as a Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) in 1992. He then became a diplomate with the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP) in 1995 and later became the faculty advisor of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Sports Council. Dr. Feinberg was awarded the Sports Chiropractor of the Year in 2011 in recognition of his contribution to sports chiropractic. Ed was the founder and faculty advisor for the Palmer West Sports Council and developed the highly popular sports elective. Ed taught and practiced sports. In 2019, the ACA Sports Council rebranded their annual student award to the "Ed Feinberg ACA Sports Council Student of the Year." He practiced chiropractic for almost 40 years as a full-time professor at Palmer College of Chiropractic-West, taught dozens of continuing education seminars in many countries and in the US, and maintained a private practice at St. Claire Chiropractic. He worked with athletes on the field at the Sea Otter Classic, the North Face Endurance Challenge, and at the 2013 World Games among many others. He once wrote, “Every part of my career involved both teaching and learning. I learn from my students, my patients, and my colleagues. I hope they learn a little from me.”

Ed lived as he taught and practiced chiropractic, with passion, curiosity, and fun. He looked for joy everyday and encouraged others to do the same. Physical activity was always a huge part of his life. He windsurfed in the 80s and 90s, then mountain biked for many years. When injuries limited what he could do on his bike, he mastered the hoverboard and then the Onewheel, which he rode 1286 miles. When the world shut down because of Covid, he started open ocean water swimming regularly in Santa Cruz. Then after retiring in 2021, Papa Eddie set about mastering the eFoil. He flew his eFoil in the San Francisco Bay, around Cowells Beach in Santa Cruz, up the Klamath River, and on trips across Humboldt Bay. He made eFoil flying look effortless even though it is actually quite difficult.

Ed helped keep spirits up - he brought out the “happy” in people. He was a self-proclaimed eternal optimist even through tough times. Everywhere he went, he would be singing and dancing to his favorite music. He loved to share jokes and laughs. Family and friends were everything to him. His family knew him as a stable rock that they could always lean on, the electronics guys with all the technology answers, a world traveler, a kind soul, and a genuine good human being who liked to go fast on the windsurfing boards, bikes, electric skateboards or eFoils. He always looked on the bright side of life seeing even the littlest bit of blue in the sky would give a huge smile. His neighbors knew him as a friendly, generous man who encouraged the kids in sports, supplied the Halloween candies on his Onewheel in a skeleton costume, and worked with them to elect the Democrats in 2022. He loved trying unique and unusual thing, as well as sharing the experience with others while he learned. He knew the journey was the reward. Papa Eddie was an "Ambassador of Stoke!"

While we all feel his loss, we are inspired by the life he created for himself, full of love, laughs and purpose. Please join us in celebrating Ed’s life: A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2023 from 11am to 2pm at the Dream Inn, 175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz in the Surf View room, which looks over the beach where Ed flew on his eFoil board and open ocean water swam.

The family invites you to donate to the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council (ACA) Sports Council in Dr. Feinberg’s honor, in place of sending flowers. Please make checks payable to the ACA Sports Council with a note of “Dr. Ed Feinberg Donation” written in the memo. Send to the treasurer of the ACA Sports Council: Dr. Jeremy Busch at 1100 North Royal Avenue Front Royal VA 22630. Email for specific questions: [email protected]. The 5013c Tax ID number is 31-1290206.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.limafamilysantaclara.com for the Feinberg family.