Dr. Malcolm N. Joseph III

Malcolm was born in New York City to Malcolm and Essie Joseph in 1949. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1967. In 1971, Malcolm became one of the first black alumni of the College in Holy Cross, graduating with a degree in biology and sociology and accepted a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Commission into the United States Air Force (USAF). After Malcolm earned his M.D. from Boston University School of Medicine, he completed his internship at Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base. Then, he completed a residency in Occupational Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University. He also earned his M.P.H. degree from Johns Hopkins University.

In 1983, Malcolm married Pamela, whom he met while both were stationed at Andrews Air Force Base (AFB). After assignments at Robins AFB in Georgia, Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, The Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, and the Pentagon, the Joseph family settled in Maryland. Together, Malcolm and Pamela raised their four children: Natalie C. Zeigler, Malcolm N. Joseph IV, Margaret T. Joseph, and the late Elizabeth D. Joseph, who passed away at age four from bacterial meningitis.

After serving the country for over two decades as a Chief Flight Surgeon, traveling the world providing medical staffing for three presidential administrations, and serving on Air Force One as Vice President Walter Mondale’s physician, Malcolm retired in 1998 as a USAF Colonel. Then, he joined CareFirst, where he served as a Medical Director for nearly 20 years.

After Pamela was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2005, Malcolm and Pamela spent eight years working to raise awareness about the disease and advocate for a cure and served on the board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Maryland Chapter. After a beautiful 32-year marriage, Malcolm lost Pamela due to complications of the disease.

Throughout his life and distinguished career, Malcolm served as a compassionate healer, a tireless advocate for greater access to healthcare, and a powerful voice in the dialogue on diversity, wellness, and disease prevention. He worked within the Baltimore community, assisting with public and private healthcare issues for the uninsured, the homeless, and the marginalized. He enjoyed tennis, swimming, and music with his family, often taking them to orchestra concerts, ballets, and Broadway shows. He was also dedicated to the church, serving as a eucharistic minister for decades, while Pamela served as a lector and his children as altar servers.

Malcolm is survived by his siblings, Cecilia and Cecil Joseph, children Natalie C. Zeigler, Malcolm N. Joseph IV, Margaret T. Joseph, and grandchildren, Brandon Zeigler and Lillian Zeigler. In addition, he is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, other family, and friends.

A visitation for Malcolm will be held Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045. A funeral service will occur Thursday, December 7, 2023, 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 8300 Old Columbia Road, Fulton, MD 20759. https://www.youtube.com/c/StFrancisAssisiParish/live

Interment at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Meet at admin building by 10: 30 a.m.