Joseph Sentef M.D.

Joseph (Joe) Sentef, Jr., MD, MBA, MPH of Signal Mountain, Tenn., passed away peacefully from pneumonia on Friday, August 25, 2023 with his wife, Susan, and stepdaughter, Heather, lovingly by his side. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on April 28,1954 and has been a longtime resident of the Chattanooga, Tenn. area. Dr. Sentef is survived by

if hi his wife, Susan, son Christopher, Stepdaughter Heather Bass, sisters Jasmine (Frank) Weidenbach and Rosemarie Sentef, nephews Erik Weidenbach, Matthew (Lindsay) Sentef, grandniece Sadie, his three grandchildren Bridge Blakey, Avery Blakey and Landen Bass, his precious mother-inlaw Fay Brindle, and brotherin-law Hoyt (Tish) Brindle. His parents, Josef and Waldtraud Sentef, preceded him in death.

He served two years in the Army as a Captain. He completed his undergraduate studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. After earning his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1982, Dr. Sentef continued to thrive academically and professionally. He completed a residency in Family Medicine at the University of TN, Jackson. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and Board Certified in Family Medicine, Preventative Medicine, and Emergency Medicine. He was also Board Eligible for Sleep Medicine. He did extensive research in connective tissue diseases and successfully developed protocols for these diseases. Dr. Sentef earned an MBA from Kennesaw State University and Masters in Public Health from the University of Florida.

Dr. Sentef was truly a Renaissance man with knowledge and talents in chess, music, sports, theater, trivia and myriad other interests. He played all musical instruments except strings and attended Ole Miss on a music scholarship. While attending Ole Miss he had a Teaching Assistantship and taught German before being urged to enter Medical School by one of his Professors. Dr. Sentef was an accomplished and skilled chess player with a passion for the game. He was a lifetime member of the US Chess Federation and a US Chess Master. He was the Chess State Champion in multiple states including Tenn. He loved all sports and was a “walking statistician” and collector of memorabilia. He loved playing Fantasy sports with his wife and friends and won various fantasy sports world championships.

Dr. Sentef was The Chief Medical Officer at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation in Washington DC in the office of Policy. He served on various committees and was dedicated in assisting with safety issues related, in particular, to commercial motor vehicles. He was instrumental in authoring the Department of Transportation Handbook, which is currently under departmental review. He was passionate about this position and loved living and working in Washington DC.

Dr. Sentef was a kind, compassionate and thoughtful soul always striving to make everyone around him happy with his generous spirit. He always put God first, then his great love for his family. He always strived to be a Christian example for others. He was generous and honorable and had a most contagious sense of humor. He had strong values and did everything with honesty and integrity. His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we should always love one another and be kind.

A private memorial service will be held in his honor at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com

Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.