Dr. Harold Brownstein

August 31, 1925 - March 2, 2021

Harold Brownstein, long-time Bay Area resident and physician, died peacefully on March 2, 2021, surrounded by his family. Hal was 95.

Hal was born on August 31, 1925 in Bronx, New York, the eldest son of Charles and Rebecca Brownstein and brother of Marvin. Hal grew up in San Francisco and Petaluma. He graduated U.C Berkeley in 1945 and Stanford Medical School in 1955. After completing his military service he was in private practice until 1978, then became the director of ambulatory services at Mount Zion Hospital. He was particularly proud of his work in caring for the community around Mount Zion, the Soviet emigrees who came to San Francisco in the 1980’s, and in establishing the Mount Zion geriatric program, which grew into The Institute on Aging.

Hal flourished in medical practice, deeply believing in the importance of the relationship between doctor and patient. As a clinical professor at UCSF, Hal delighted in training physicians how to examine and care for their patients.

In August 1960 Hal married Joan Nichols following a whirlwind romance, and had celebrated their 60th anniversary this past summer.

Hal displayed boundless love for his family which formed the vibrant epicenter of his emotional life. He was a gentle and encouraging father; obsessively following his children’s careers, their families, and their happiness. His 13 grandchildren loved their “Papa.” Most of all, Hal will be remembered for his kind, generous, and welcoming nature. He is survived by his wife Joan; his children, Carol, David, Robert, and Martin; their spouses, David Lieberman, Grace Shohet, Michelle Richardson Brownstein and Kari Linden Brownstein; and his 13 grandchildren: George, Hannah and Aaron Lieberman, Daniel, Isaiah, Helen, Nick, Beth, Kate, Becca, Wyatt, Samuel and William Brownstein.

Hal was buried in a small service in Petaluma. A memorial will be held when it is safe to do so.

Your remembrances are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please make gifts in Hal’s memory to the Institute on Aging (https://www.ioaging.org/giving/supportinstitute-on-aging) or U.C. Berkeley Health and Biological Sciences Collections (https://give.lib.berkeley.edu/give-now).