Donald S. Stern MD

Don Stern, MD, passed away peacefully in his home in Brookline, MA on January 23, 2023 surrounded by family. He was born on July 15th, 1942, and raised in Shaker Heights, OH. He graduated from Harvard in 1964 and went on to earn his MD from Columbia University in 1968. After completing his residency at the University of California, San Francisco, he worked for the CDC in Atlanta, and then studied malaria in India. He was part of both private and group practices with a focus on gastroenterology and internal medicine affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. As a member of the clinical faculty of Harvard Medical School, Don imparted his patient-centered values to the next generation of medical students. He was a highly respected and beloved physician for over 40 years.

After retiring from medicine in 2012, Don dedicated himself to his other true calling -- doting on his family. In addition he loved taking long bike trips across Europe and spending summers at Massachusetts beaches with his family. A life-long student of the world, he read and re-read classic and contemporary literature and historical works, and he loved art and theater.

Don treated everyone he met with his trademark and inimitable sincerity, kindness, humility, and compassion. He was deeply curious and open-minded; a true mensch. He will be remembered as a generous, devoted, and cherished father, grandfather, husband, and trusted friend and confidante to many.

Don is survived by his wife, Louise, his daughters, Hilary Crane-Stern (Meg) and Erika Houghtlin (Jamie), and his grandchildren Max, Gus, and Ella, and Louise's two daughters and their husbands and children whom he treated as his own. Don was predeceased by his parents, Nelson Stern and Shirley Whitman Bernstein, and his brother, Bill Stern, of Cleveland, OH.

Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to the BIDMC Healthcare Heroes Fund. The family is having a private service in Boston on February 1st.