Lowell A Steinfeld

Lowell A. Steinfeld, M.D. passed away on June 19, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. He was 78. Lowell was born on October 1, 1938 in Newark, New Jersey to Manuel Steinfeld and Judy Steinfeld (nee Lempert), the first of five wonderful children. He moved with his family to Fort Pierce, Florida. As a child, Lowell worked at his family’s road-side tourist stand, popular in Florida in those days, selling fresh-squeezed orange juice. Lowell graduated from high school in Fort Pierce and went on to the University of Florida, where he met the love of his life, Linda Schoenfeld. Though he had spotted her the year before at the Hillel Center, he asked her out when he saw her on campus at the Plaza of the Americas. Lowell and Linda were engaged within three weeks and married six weeks later. They welcomed their son, Laurence Steinfeld, followed by their daughter, Lisa Steinfeld, all before Lowell finished Medical School in Gainesville in June 1964. Lowell completed residencies in Internal Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Kingston, Jamaica, and Gainesville, Florida, bringing his family with him. He then served as a Lieutenant Commander and medical physician in the U.S. Navy at the naval base in Albany, Georgia from 1968 to 1970. Once he completed his tour of duty, Lowell joined a medical practice in Orlando, Florida, where he specialized in internal medicine. He was a beloved doctor known for treating his patients with kindness, compassion and patience. Lowell left private practice to join the Orlando V.A. Medical Center as a physician, eventually becoming the Medical Director. After retiring from medicine, Lowell moved with his wife to Brevard, North Carolina to enjoy the mountains and cool weather. There he pursued his passion for photography. He went from excellent amateur photographer to superb professional photographer, showing his photographs in art shows in and around Brevard, North Carolina. His award-winning photos were shown in art galleries in Brevard and nearby Hendersonville for many years. Most of his works at this time reflected his love and appreciation for the great outdoors, representing beautiful and idyllic scenes of the Great Smoky Mountains, waterfalls and lakes. Lowell volunteered as a physician at a free clinic in Brevard for under-served populations. He enjoyed being a member of the Brevard Jewish Community. Lowell loved community and was much beloved by many close friends in both Orlando and Brevard. He was a kind, loving and gentle friend who ALWAYS had a joke or two to share. His best friends learned to enjoy his jokes over and over (and over) again! Lowell joined a “men’s group” in Orlando and developed many close relationships within the group. They would meet bi-monthly to discuss their lives, emotions, challenges and tribulations, lending each other support. After moving to Brevard, Lowell started another men’s group with the same mission and vision, which continues to this day. Lowell loved gathering his extended family, brothers and sisters and their families, together for family reunions. Whether at a bar-b-que, brunch or week at the beach, Lowell loved initiating and coordinating opportunities for everyone to be together. Lowell’s greatest joy in life (after being in the presence of his wife, Linda!) was to spend time with his family. While the children were still at home, the family could be found water-skiing and picnicking for the day on the Chain of Lakes, at area springs going on nature hikes, canoeing and bar-b-cueing, at the beach body-surfing and playing frisbee, or playing tennis, racquetball or handball. He loved to be joined by friends and family for these endeavors. He was so proud of his son, a physician, and his daughter, who works in non-profit finance, and their families. He loved each and every one of his grandchildren. Lowell is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda Steinfeld, to whom he owed his greatest happiness; his son and daughter-in-law, Laurence and Patricia Steinfeld of Milledgeville, Georgia; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Darren Katz of Chevy Chase, Maryland; his five wonderful grandchildren, Ethan and William Steinfeld, and Griffin, Sawyer and Leighton Katz; his sister Dorothy Steinfeld, of Peace Village, New York; his sister Anne Shapiro, of Altamonte Springs, Florida; and his brother and sister-in-law Philip and Stacey Steinfeld, of Tampa, Florida. He is preceded in death by his brother, David Steinfeld. A memorial for Lowell will take place on July 1 at 2:00 p.m. at Oakmonte Village in Lake Mary, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Southern Poverty Law Center or National Health Law Program.

Lowell A Steinfeld

October 1, 1938 - June 19, 2017