Herbert B Feldman

Dr. Herbert Byron Feldman left this Earth on April 20, 2023 at the age of 91 to join his beloved bride, Lauretta Mennone Feldman. He lived a remarkable life that positively impacted many. He was a native New Yorker, born in the Bronx, and the son of Leo Feldman and Helen Gold Feldman, of Rockaway Beach, NY.

A legendary and beloved father and grandfather who transmitted wisdom through memorable aphorisms, he leaves behind many stories, children, and grandchildren. He is missed terribly by his seven children, David (Barbara Schreibman) Feldman, Aaron Feldman, Linda Sebastian, Emmanuel (Pascale Delache-Feldman) Feldman, Jonathan (Lisa Richmond) Feldman, Joseph (Katie Lacher) Feldman, and Deborah (Ed Turner) Feldman.

He rejoiced in his grandchildren: Joshua Feldman, Rachel (Carlos Quinones) Feldman, Leo Feldman, Jacob Feldman, Zachary Feldman, Benjamin Feldman, Solomon Feldman, Moshe Feldman, Raphael Delache-Feldman, Avi Feldman, Nathan Feldman, Edward Turner, Loren Turner, Morgan Turner, Leia Feldman, Chloe Feldman, and Emmett Feldman.

A first generation American and young musical prodigy, he not only attended The Juilliard School of Music at a young age, but later taught at Juilliard. He studied with musical legends of the day such as Ivan Galamian, Dorothy Delay, and Milton Katims. A violin and viola soloist as well as a principal, he was the principal violist with the Little Orchestra in Manhattan and was frequently invited to play elsewhere, such as when he was invited to become a member of the Hungarian string quartet, a notable quartet of the day. A prolific, experimental, and bold composer, his works were received well and many of them are cataloged at Hofstra University.

Dr. Feldman was a lifelong learner with a growth mindset. He reinvented himself in 1962 when he graduated Downstate Medical Center to pursue his passion for the healing arts, and still remained a professional musician for the rest of his life.

He practiced for over 60 years as a board-certified family medicine doctor in both Forest Hills and Great Neck, New York, and was notably among the first in the country to integrate both hypnosis and acupuncture into his medical practice. His inventive, curious, and creative mind led him to file patents and take novel approaches to medicine, as well as to take unique and inexpensive approaches to repairing items in his home and office.

Dr. Feldman gave back to his community, not just as a physician and musician, but also as a leader. He was a founding member and organizer of many beneficial community organizations including the New York Society for Clinical Hypnosis, and the Long Island Composer’s Alliance. He loved working with people and he loved teaching what he knew to others, and remained active in these organizations and on their boards until his decline.

He was still very much in love with his beloved wife, partner, and best friend, Lauretta until her death in 2020. Even in his 80s, he continued hosting chamber music in his home with his many friends. At age 82, he performed his new composition, “Abraham Lincoln Is My Name,” which was reviewed by the New York Times. He never stopped composing, he never stopped playing, and he never stopped spending time with his beloved family, friends, and colleagues.

A Chapel service for Herbert will be held Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at The Sanctuary of Abraham and Sarah Mausoleum in Cedar Park Cemetery, followed by a burial at Cedar Park Cemetery, 735 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652.