Bernard Katzen, A.A. ’34, M.D. ’38, who, along with his wife Mildred, A.A. ’45, B.A. ’46, late brother Cyrus and sister-in-law Myrtle, has been a longtime supporter of medical research and care at the GW Medical Center, passed away on Aug. 3.
“We are saddened by the loss of Dr. Katzen. His support for research, patient care and medical education has positively impacted each facet of the School of Medicine,” said Jeffrey S. Akman, interim vice provost for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “As the first of three generations in his family to study medicine at GW, Dr. Katzen’s legacy will continue to grow within our students, faculty and staff.”
Dr. Katzen served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II and was a survivor of Normandy Beach D-Day, according to an obituary in the Washington Post. He also maintained a family practice for 49 years.
Dr. Katzen is survived by his wife, his sister Sally Cohen, his sons Burton and Harvey, and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Dr. Katzen’s son Harvey, M.D. ’75, and grandson, Jason, M.D. ’06, are alumni, as is his nephew – Cyrus Katzen’s son – Jay Katzen, B.A. ’67, M.D. ’72, a GW trustee.
Condolences and memories have already started to pour in on an online memorial site.
“My mom and dad, brother and sister and I were patients of Dr. Katzen’s back in the 1940’s when he practiced on Minnesota Avenue in Southeast Washington, D.C.,” one person wrote. “He was a kind and caring person who took good care of all us.”
A second commenter, who served in the U.S. Foreign Service, said that Dr. Katzen literally saved his life when he fell ill overseas. Dr. Katzen arranged to have him flown back to the U.S. and admitted to the hospital, where a leading pulmonary specialist was able to identify the correct diagnosis where others had failed, the man wrote. He added that Dr. Katzen followed his treatment throughout the process.
“He was a great man, and I feel privileged to have known him,” the man added. “He served his country in wartime with honor and courage, and he and Mildred together served their community for decades, providing the finest primary health care whether the patient could pay or not.”
The funeral was held Aug. 5 at B’nai Israel Congregation in Rockville, Md., and the family held minyanim (Jewish prayer services) and received friends on Aug. 5 and 7. The family requested, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Mildred S. and Bernard Katzen Medical Education Award or the Bernard and Mildred Katzen Cancer Fund. The Medical Center development team can also be contacted at 202-994-7511.