Physician, author, television host, and devoted family man, Dr. DAVID A. LIPSCHITZ,

most affectionally known as “Dr. David,” passed away on March 6 surrounded by his family.

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. David was the oldest and naughtiest of four children. Ever the entrepreneur, he once dug up all the plants in his father’s garden and attempted to sell them on the roadside. Luckily, he moved beyond his mischievous ways and went on to study medicine at the University of Witwatersrand.

Following in his father’s footsteps, David left his home country in search of a better life, emigrating to the United States in 1972 to escape Apartheid-era policies. Upon arriving in America, he trained as a hematologist at the University of Washington and did the seminal research in the development of the serum ferritin assay, a tool that is still used to help evaluate iron levels in blood. (A fact he never let his children forget.)

After stints at Montefiore Medical Center and Kansas University Medical School, he joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as director of the Division of Hematology/Oncology.

Dr. David flourished in Little Rock. He began research on the effects of nutrition on aging, which led to a lifelong focus on the unique medical needs of older people. In 1995, he assumed the position of director of the Center on Aging at UAMS. Under his leadership, UAMS received $30.2 million from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to establish the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics and the Institute on Aging. He went on to facilitate the development of a statewide network for geriatric care, ensuring that every older Arkansan had access to high quality medical care.

While Dr. David was an exceptional leader in medical research and administration, his greatest passion was educating his patients and the public about healthy aging. He often said, “Everything you’ve been told about growing older is wrong!” Through his weekly newspaper columns, radio shows and television segments, he empowered people to live each day to the fullest. Well before “body positivity,” Dr. David told people to love their bodies, embrace the wrinkles and appreciate being “pleasantly plump”! He truly loved every single one of his patients and dedicated his life to their care.

“Dr David” the personality was just “Dad” at home, where he took his job as “Most Embarrassing Dad in the World” very seriously! He never missed an opportunity to crack a corny joke, hum a made-up tune, or dance as if no one was watching (though clearly everyone was!). Any dinner at Trio’s was preceded by a deliberate schmoozing ritual of hugs, kisses and overthe-top flattery of fellow diners. This voracious appetite for life also meant he was never afraid to put a fork on someone else’s plate – resulting in a whole generation of speed eaters. He was endlessly devoted to his three French bulldogs, Barkley, Mochi, and Peaches. They were expertly trained to sleep in a pile on his lap while he watched murder mystery shows for hours.

But most of all he loved his family, his wife, Francie, who he said was the most brilliant mother and physician in the world; his six children, Andrea, Elan, Howard, Riley, Forbes, and Evan; and his grandchildren, Nicola, Ella, Sydney, Parker, Zoe, Amon, and Rowan. He took every opportunity to shower his family with hugs, kisses and endless unsolicited advice. He spent hours talking with his sisters, Toni Spitz and Jocelyn Wolman. They were planning one last reunion in Israel that was sadly cancelled due to illness.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Arthur Lipschitz; as well as his parents, Hanid Kahn and Henry Lipschitz. For all those who loved him, he will be dearly missed.

David lived a full, brilliant life. He loved deeply, gave of himself freely, and cried with abandon at any moving moment.

A memorial service will be held at Temple B’nai Israel at 3 p.m. Wednesday March 8, 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to Planned Parenthood of Little Rock or the Interfaith Center of Arkansas. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com