Theodore Steinberg

Theodore Steinberg ("Ted" or "Teddy" to his many friends and relatives) was born in Rovno, Ukraine, the third of three bothers to Moshe and Chava Rosenthal. They immigrated to Palestine in 1919 and then he and his mother followed his brothers to America in 1924. His name was changed to Steinberg in order to circumvent the prevailing quotas on Eastern European immigrants. He learned English and was able to enroll in the Boston Hebrew Teachers College, whence he received a Bachelor of Hebrew Education in 1931. He received a B.S. in Education from Boston University (1933) and a B.S. in Biology and Public Health from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1934). He earned his medical degree from Tufts Medical School in 1939. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Greens' Eye Hospital, San Francisco (1942).

Despite very poor vision (which technically made him "4-F") and the fact that he was not yet a U.S. citizen, he managed to get himself inducted into the Army in 1943. He first served as an instructor in ophthalmology at Camp Carlisle, PA, then in various field hospitals in France after the D-Day invasion.

Before going overseas, he married Alice E. Bernstein, from Woonsocket, RI, whom he had courted for several years and who was by then an Army Lieutenant herself. They were devoted companions until Alice died in 2000. After returning from the war, Ted decided to move to Fresno in 1947 to set up an ophthalmology practice. He was a member of the medical staffs of every hospital in the city and had a voluminous surgical and office practice. He was first an adjunct professor of ophthalmology at both UCSF and Stanford Medical Schools, then full professor in charge of the UCSF Ophthalmology Residency Training Program at Fresno County General and V.A. Hospitals. He was a founding member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and served as its second president. He served as president of the Fresno County Medical Society and was a long time delegate to both the California and American Medical Associations. He was also an instructor at Fresno State in the nursing program.

Even while practicing as a full-time ophthalmologist, Ted managed to obtain a J.D. Degree from Humphreys College (1970). He became a nationally recognized expert on medical malpractice, medical manpower, and medical ethics issues. He testified before the U.S. Congress and the California Legislature on numerous occasions and served on a number of advisory panels.

Dr. Steinberg was active in the Fresno Shriners. He was a long-time member of Temple Beth Israel.

Dr. Steinberg was the beloved son of Moshe and Chava Rosenthal, brother of Herbert and Abraham Rosenthal, and husband of Alice Steinberg, all of whom predeceased him. He is survived by his son, Joel M. Steinberg, M.D. and his wife, Margaret Steinberg; daughter, Marcia J. Steinberg and her husband, Michael Schoenleber; grandchildren, Deborah K. Steinberg, John M. Steinberg, and Lee Anne Steinberg; nieces, Marlene Rosenthal, Sandra Rosenthal, Eleanor Koplow, nephew, Jeff Woled; and many other relatives. He leaves behind countless friends, grateful patients, and admiring colleagues.

A brief list of Ted's many accomplishments and awards: U.S. Army Medical Corps Captain, Chief in Ophthalmology, 1943 to 1945; Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, (1953); Fresno County Medical Society President (1967); Lifetime Community Service Award (2010); California Association of Ophthalmology President, 1973 to 1974 and the Theodore Steinberg M.D. Honorary Lecture Award For Organizational and Ethical Excellence, Established in 1994; State of Israel Bonds, the David Ben-Gurion Award for Dedicated Leadership, 1975; American Academy of Ophthalmology President, 1976 to 1977; Chairman, Council of Continuing Education and Assessment of Professional Competence; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Member of the Educational Council; California Medical Association, Chairman, Section of Ophthalmology, and Fresno-Madera Delegate; American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Association of Ophthalmology Manpower Committee Co-Chairman; American Board of Ophthalmology, Member and Examiner; State of California Advisory Commission for the Blind, Committee on Vision Screening in Public Schools, Board of Medical Quality Assurance, Medical Licensing Examination, Approval Committee member; Assembly select committee on delivery of Eye Care to the Citizens of California, member; California State University at Fresno, Adjunct Professor in Health Science; U.S. Veterans Administration, VA Hospital, Fresno, Chief Consultant in Ophthalmology; U.S. Department of H.E.W. Graduate Medical Education, National Advisory Committee Ophthalmology Panel Member; American Medical Association, Ophthalmology Section Vice-Chairman of Delegates; Awarded the Howe Medal for Distinguished Service in Ophthalmology, (1989); Fresno General Hospital (Now Valley Medical Center) Chairman and Professor, Department of Ophthalmology; California School Nurses Association, Lynda M Smiley Award for Services and Devotion to the Health of School Children; Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, the Hebrew College of Boston, 1996.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa Avenue, November 7, 10:30 am. Burial will be private. The family requests no flowers. In his memory, please make a donation to Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa Ave., Fresno CA 93704, The Hebrew College of Boston, 160 Herrick Rd., Newtonville, Newton, MA, 02459, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 or any other charitable organization you feel is appropriate.