Joseph M. Brenner, MD

Joseph M. Brenner, M.D., age 72, died on Monday, July 30, 2012 at his New Orleans, LA residence. Survived by his wife of 44 years, Ronnie Rittmaster Brenner, their daughter Jennifer Brenner Birmingham, son-in-law Jim Birmingham, and their granddaughter Alafair Melinda Birmingham. Joe is the son of the late Blanche and Irv Brenner of Pittsburgh. He was graduated from Washington and Jefferson College, Phi Beta Kappa, and magna cum laude, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh was the site of his internship and residency. He came to New Orleans in 1967 to serve as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Public Health Service. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary diseases at Tulane University School of Medicine and has enthusiastically practiced internal medicine in New Orleans for forty-four years.

Joe and Ronnie were married by Justice of the Peace Gaston Gilbert in Eight Mile, Alabama in 1967, after a long drive from New Orleans and many wrong turns. When the abbreviated civil ceremony concluded with "and in the name of"...long pause..."Governor Lurleen Wallace and President Lyndon Baines Johnson," they knew they were off to a unique start. Later, Cantor David Benedict of Temple Israel, New York added his blessing to the union. They fell in love with New Orleans and never left, apart from a brief exile post Katrina.

Dr. Brenner served as President of the Medical Staff, Touro Infirmary; President of Memorial Clinics, Touro Infirmary; and President of the Orleans Parish Medical Society. He was honored on May 30, 2012 with a celebratory reception and plaque for his four decades of service to Touro Infirmary and the Touro community. He also served on the Board of Touro Synagogue.

In recent years he spent most Wednesdays with Ronnie preparing, serving, and sharing dinner with the families and staff at the Ronald McDonald House on Canal Street. Joe took no credit for the cooking and referred to himself as Ronnie's "sous schlepp."

Lifelong appreciators, collectors, and donors of art, the Brenners enjoyed being Fellows of the New Orleans Museum of Art. Joe relished the time he spent with his morning coffee gang at Still Perkin'. After crack-of-dawn rounds, he began his day with some hearty laughter, a touch of intellectual exchange, but mostly good repartee. Though there was no cure for his liposarcoma, much of his healing, until the time of his death, came from continuing to practice and serve his patients. Joe's wit, excitement for learning, love for and commitment to his family, patients, and friends make him a man to remember.

Friends, patients and colleagues are welcome at a Memorial Service on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Ave. with Rabbi Alexis Berk officiating.

Kindly omit flowers. Please make any donations to the Ronald McDonald House, 4403 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119 or Touro Infirmary Foundation, 1401 Foucher St., New Orleans, LA 70115. Tharp-Sontheimer Funeral Home of Metairie is in charge of arrangements.