Mitchell Paul Tarkoff M.D.

Dr. Mitchell Paul Tarkoff passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022. He is survived by his wife Karen, his sons and daughter-inlaws Tom and Jill (and their children Ben and Joseph), Rob and Jasmine (and their children Nathan, Daniel and Allie), and Ken and Janet Tarkoff (and their children Claire and Spencer).

Dr. Tarkoff was born in Chicago and graduated from University of Illinois undergraduate and medical school. He completed his internship and residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and served in the United States Air Force as a Pulmonary physician. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine and an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF.

Dr. Tarkoff began his private practice in pulmonary medicine in Oakland in 1967. During that time, he served in various roles at Providence Hospital (now Sutter Hospital) including the Medical Director of Pulmonary Services, the Chief of the Pulmonary Section and one of the youngest Presidents of the Medical Staff. He also served in multiple roles at Samuel Merritt Hospital (Sutter Hospital) including Chief of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy. In conjunction with other physicians and partners, he was the Medical Director of Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment. He has published articles in the Journal of Medicine, the Journal of Asthma Research and the Western Journal of Medicine. He served on multiple committees and was a member of many organizations, including the Rotary Club of Oakland, the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, the Orinda Youth Association, Pill Hill Community Association, the American Lung Association (where he served as President), the American College of Chest Physicians, the California Thoracic Society, the American Academy of Medical Director and the California Medical Association.

Dr. Tarkoff was an active member of the Lamorinda Community, coaching many youth sports over the years and was a member of Orinda Country Club for over 40 years. He was a long-time member of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, the Lamorinda branch of SIRS, and an active dominoes player in Rossmoor. He is remembered as a highly personable man with a great sense of humor, a loving husband, caring and proud father and grandfather, and a man with a deep passion for his family.

Donations in Dr. Tarkoff’s memory can be made to the Cancer Support Community at https://cancersupport. net/about-us/donate/. May his memory be a blessing to us all.