He was the BEST most respected surgeon in Pittsburgh and a true mensch! We belonged to the same gym/health club and before they closed I voiced a concern about some unhygenic practices that I had noticed. He looked me straight in the eyes and said "Don't worry Joan...our immune system is strong and can handle things." That has always stuck in my mind as I, like others, trusted his judgment. In his hands you always felt safe. Rest in peace dear Fred. Your memory will be a blessing to many of us.
This is a tough one for me. I didn't know Fred well at Allderdice but I saw him almost every day while working as the Head Nurse on the General Surgery unit at Montefiore Hospital. It's impossible to describe how well liked and well respected he was by the nursing staff, his fellow surgeons, and most importantly, his patients. I learned something new from him each time I accompanied him on his patient rounds.
I was saddened to see the passing of Fred Berkowitz. Fred and I sat next to each other in home room at Allerdice during high school. He was such a kind and gentle person. We lost touch after graduation but I'm sure he succeeded in his profession and I'm sure he left his mark on those who knew him.
Fred was my closest friend in elementary school at Hillel Academy. We did not have much contact at Allderdice, because our interests diverged, and I had not benn in touch since. Nevertheless, I remember him with great fondness and respect and not at all surprised by how terrific he was as a doctor. Fred (or Freddie as I knew him) was incredibly bright (I believe he graduated second in our class at Allderdice) and very skilled in Hebraics. He regularly was faster than me in Hebrew reading when we had speed reading contests, and I was no slouch -- I have been a synagogue Cantor since I was 16 (1963) (in addition to my long career as a lawyer and federal administrative judge), and Freddie was far better than me academically. More importantly, he was always warm, personable, kind and, as others have said, a real mensch. It was my honor to know Fred. May he Rest In Peace. Rich Walters
I thought we had agreed not to have any more classmates leave us, but I guess at our age it is inevitable.
Let me give our good friend Fred a little send off. I got to know Fred late in our high school years, really not until our senior year if memory (still) serves me well, so I can't talk about all the great times we had together and the interesting experiences that we shared. They were admittedly few. What we mostly had in common then were probably our GPAs.
I read that Fred has lived a good life, helped many people, and left a very fond and favorable impression. A life dedicated to clinical medicine is largely a life devoted to others. I salute him for that.
When we talk about the life that someone -- or our own self -- has lived, we can think of all the services to others that were provided. That seems to have been Fred's strong suit.
A life can be full of adventure. Those individuals directly or indirectly enrich us and encourage us to dream and wonder. Let's hope that Fred got a taste of adventure -- at least some part of what he wanted.
A life can also be directed at accumulating wealth, influence, and power. Those are the sort of folks whose obituaries are found on YouTube and in People magazine. They entertained us, provided us with important -- or at least unique and interesting -- services, maybe robbed us of some of our hard-earned money, and at times made us feel inadequate that we didn't also have our own personal jet, a garage full of Teslas, a third home on the Amalfi coast, and a reserved seat on the next space shuttle. But death came calling nonetheless.
Let those of us who are reading about Fred's death raise a glass of wine -- or just a bottle of Vitamin Water or even a cup of warm milk -- to honor his life ... and our own ... and to not (yet) go gentle into that good night.
I had several classes with Fred, but we were not friends. I remember him as a fine person. It is wonderful that he practiced in the Pittsburgh area and had a fine reputation.
I was very sorry to hear that Fred Berkowitz passed away. Fred and I were in class together in Hillel Academy, which I attended till fourth grade. His father and my father both worked as kosher butchers. One of our teachers in Hillel taught us how to knit. Fred was very precocious even then. If I remember rightly, he was the first one to come to class with a scarf that he made. I was happy to hear that he had become a surgeon. May his memory be for a blessing.
I had a few classes with Fred. I also was in the same home room for two years. Again, I would call him an acquaintance rather then a friend. Although I recall Fred almost always having a smile on his face when you talked to him, he seemed so dedicated to his studies that he didn't appear to be interested in making a lot of friends. After reading here that his father was a kosher butcher (on Murray Avenue I presume), I think he likely was the epitome of the way Mrs.Mussoff used to describe the Jewish students at Allderdice: Those who lived North of Forbes were the children of the business owners; those who lived South of Forbes were the children of the employees of those businesses, and generally were more driven to succeed academically. Fred's academic prowess at TAHS speaks for itself.
I only recall seeing him one time after high school. After graduating from Pitt, I attended the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1968-69. The main Columbia campus is located in Morningside Heights on the Upper West Side, between 114th and 120th Streets. At the same time, Fred was in his first year of medical school at Columbia. However, the medical school was located in Washington Heights, about 50 blocks north of the main campus, with Harlem in between.
Normally, there would be no contact between students on those two campuses. However, while attending Columbia, I lived in the South Bronx, just across the Harlem River from Washington Heights. (How I ended up living there is a separate and strange story.) I had my car there (there was plenty of parking available in the South Bronx), and usually on Saturday or Sunday, I would make the short drive across the Washington Crossing Bridge to Washington Heights, which at that time still had a sizable Jewish population in addition to the majority Dominican and Puerto Rican population. In other words, there were delis there. There were none in my neighborhood in the South Bronx. The Columbia University School of Nursing also was located in Washington Heights, a block from the Medical School on West 168th Street. I dated a nursing student there for about 4 months, which was another reason I spent time in Washington Heights.
One Sunday afternoon, we walked into a kosher deli there, and I saw Fred, eating a sandwich and studying. I recognized him because he looked almost the same as he had in high school. I don't think he recognized me because I didn't look anything like I did in high school. (Look at the photo of me in Hong Kong in 1971 on my profile page.) I was 45 pounds thinner, wore contact lenses and had much longer hair. I introduced myself and Carol, my friend, and we had a very pleasant conversation for about 10-15 minutes. Carol (who was from Brooklyn) asked him if he had seen much of the city, and he said he hadn't because he was too busy studying. But, he said he hoped to when he had more time. Then, Fred said he had to go to the medical school library and excused himself. I never saw him again. I remember thinking I really hope he takes the time to see New York City.
Reading the comments on here, and the tributes to him on the obituary pages, it is clear that Fred had a very long and distinguished career as a doctor. His studiousness really paid off. However, it is equally clear that he not only was respected, but admired and well-liked by the doctors and nurses with whom he worked They mention that he always had a smile and a pleasant word for his medical colleagues and his patients They talk about how respected he was not only as a doctor but as a man. It's pretty clear that Fred did take the time to see New York City.
I remember Fred Berkowitz as a quiet, gentle, and very smart person. We were in Mr. Sommerfeld's A.P. American Literature class together, and I recall how Fred was also excellent in math and science, a real Renaissance man. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I did not know him very well, but I liked him. May his memory be for a blessing.
Joan Quint (Jacob)
He was the BEST most respected surgeon in Pittsburgh and a true mensch! We belonged to the same gym/health club and before they closed I voiced a concern about some unhygenic practices that I had noticed. He looked me straight in the eyes and said "Don't worry Joan...our immune system is strong and can handle things." That has always stuck in my mind as I, like others, trusted his judgment. In his hands you always felt safe. Rest in peace dear Fred. Your memory will be a blessing to many of us.
Joyce Backer
This is a tough one for me. I didn't know Fred well at Allderdice but I saw him almost every day while working as the Head Nurse on the General Surgery unit at Montefiore Hospital. It's impossible to describe how well liked and well respected he was by the nursing staff, his fellow surgeons, and most importantly, his patients. I learned something new from him each time I accompanied him on his patient rounds.
Carole Caufield (Stonick)
I was saddened to see the passing of Fred Berkowitz. Fred and I sat next to each other in home room at Allerdice during high school. He was such a kind and gentle person. We lost touch after graduation but I'm sure he succeeded in his profession and I'm sure he left his mark on those who knew him.
Richard Walters
Fred was my closest friend in elementary school at Hillel Academy. We did not have much contact at Allderdice, because our interests diverged, and I had not benn in touch since. Nevertheless, I remember him with great fondness and respect and not at all surprised by how terrific he was as a doctor. Fred (or Freddie as I knew him) was incredibly bright (I believe he graduated second in our class at Allderdice) and very skilled in Hebraics. He regularly was faster than me in Hebrew reading when we had speed reading contests, and I was no slouch -- I have been a synagogue Cantor since I was 16 (1963) (in addition to my long career as a lawyer and federal administrative judge), and Freddie was far better than me academically. More importantly, he was always warm, personable, kind and, as others have said, a real mensch. It was my honor to know Fred. May he Rest In Peace. Rich Walters
Tom Allison
I thought we had agreed not to have any more classmates leave us, but I guess at our age it is inevitable.
Let me give our good friend Fred a little send off. I got to know Fred late in our high school years, really not until our senior year if memory (still) serves me well, so I can't talk about all the great times we had together and the interesting experiences that we shared. They were admittedly few. What we mostly had in common then were probably our GPAs.
I read that Fred has lived a good life, helped many people, and left a very fond and favorable impression. A life dedicated to clinical medicine is largely a life devoted to others. I salute him for that.
When we talk about the life that someone -- or our own self -- has lived, we can think of all the services to others that were provided. That seems to have been Fred's strong suit.
A life can be full of adventure. Those individuals directly or indirectly enrich us and encourage us to dream and wonder. Let's hope that Fred got a taste of adventure -- at least some part of what he wanted.
A life can also be directed at accumulating wealth, influence, and power. Those are the sort of folks whose obituaries are found on YouTube and in People magazine. They entertained us, provided us with important -- or at least unique and interesting -- services, maybe robbed us of some of our hard-earned money, and at times made us feel inadequate that we didn't also have our own personal jet, a garage full of Teslas, a third home on the Amalfi coast, and a reserved seat on the next space shuttle. But death came calling nonetheless.
Let those of us who are reading about Fred's death raise a glass of wine -- or just a bottle of Vitamin Water or even a cup of warm milk -- to honor his life ... and our own ... and to not (yet) go gentle into that good night.
Philip Mason
Tom: Thank you for your wonderful comment.
I had several classes with Fred, but we were not friends. I remember him as a fine person. It is wonderful that he practiced in the Pittsburgh area and had a fine reputation.
Regina Weitz (Wiseman)
I was very sorry to hear that Fred Berkowitz passed away. Fred and I were in class together in Hillel Academy, which I attended till fourth grade. His father and my father both worked as kosher butchers. One of our teachers in Hillel taught us how to knit. Fred was very precocious even then. If I remember rightly, he was the first one to come to class with a scarf that he made. I was happy to hear that he had become a surgeon. May his memory be for a blessing.
Fern Weiner (Canter)
Remember Fred as so very smart, quiet, kind and sweet. May he rest in peace and know that he is in our memories.Where have the years gone?
Fern
Michael Brourman
I had a few classes with Fred. I also was in the same home room for two years. Again, I would call him an acquaintance rather then a friend. Although I recall Fred almost always having a smile on his face when you talked to him, he seemed so dedicated to his studies that he didn't appear to be interested in making a lot of friends. After reading here that his father was a kosher butcher (on Murray Avenue I presume), I think he likely was the epitome of the way Mrs.Mussoff used to describe the Jewish students at Allderdice: Those who lived North of Forbes were the children of the business owners; those who lived South of Forbes were the children of the employees of those businesses, and generally were more driven to succeed academically. Fred's academic prowess at TAHS speaks for itself.
I only recall seeing him one time after high school. After graduating from Pitt, I attended the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1968-69. The main Columbia campus is located in Morningside Heights on the Upper West Side, between 114th and 120th Streets. At the same time, Fred was in his first year of medical school at Columbia. However, the medical school was located in Washington Heights, about 50 blocks north of the main campus, with Harlem in between.
Normally, there would be no contact between students on those two campuses. However, while attending Columbia, I lived in the South Bronx, just across the Harlem River from Washington Heights. (How I ended up living there is a separate and strange story.) I had my car there (there was plenty of parking available in the South Bronx), and usually on Saturday or Sunday, I would make the short drive across the Washington Crossing Bridge to Washington Heights, which at that time still had a sizable Jewish population in addition to the majority Dominican and Puerto Rican population. In other words, there were delis there. There were none in my neighborhood in the South Bronx. The Columbia University School of Nursing also was located in Washington Heights, a block from the Medical School on West 168th Street. I dated a nursing student there for about 4 months, which was another reason I spent time in Washington Heights.
One Sunday afternoon, we walked into a kosher deli there, and I saw Fred, eating a sandwich and studying. I recognized him because he looked almost the same as he had in high school. I don't think he recognized me because I didn't look anything like I did in high school. (Look at the photo of me in Hong Kong in 1971 on my profile page.) I was 45 pounds thinner, wore contact lenses and had much longer hair. I introduced myself and Carol, my friend, and we had a very pleasant conversation for about 10-15 minutes. Carol (who was from Brooklyn) asked him if he had seen much of the city, and he said he hadn't because he was too busy studying. But, he said he hoped to when he had more time. Then, Fred said he had to go to the medical school library and excused himself. I never saw him again. I remember thinking I really hope he takes the time to see New York City.
Reading the comments on here, and the tributes to him on the obituary pages, it is clear that Fred had a very long and distinguished career as a doctor. His studiousness really paid off. However, it is equally clear that he not only was respected, but admired and well-liked by the doctors and nurses with whom he worked They mention that he always had a smile and a pleasant word for his medical colleagues and his patients They talk about how respected he was not only as a doctor but as a man. It's pretty clear that Fred did take the time to see New York City.
Maxine Heller
I remember Fred Berkowitz as a quiet, gentle, and very smart person. We were in Mr. Sommerfeld's A.P. American Literature class together, and I recall how Fred was also excellent in math and science, a real Renaissance man. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I did not know him very well, but I liked him. May his memory be for a blessing.