The family of prominent Endocrinologist Roger L. Lerner, M.D. mourned his passing in a service in June where good friends and family celebrated Lerner’s life. He was a highly regarded physician who deeply cared about his patients and will be greatly missed. Thanks to Cheryl Lerner for sharing this remembrance with the Buzz.
Roger L. Lerner, M.D.
October 24, 1936-June 1, 2019We mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Dr. Roger L. Lerner who passed away June 1, 2019 in Los Angeles. Roger was born in Brooklyn, New York to his Lithuanian, Ellis Island immigrant, mother, Helen Walowitz and his Hungarian father Samuel Lerner. He grew up in Bridgeport, Ct. where he played baseball as a boy. He prized his trophy from the 1949 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., even though he was the losing pitcher. Roger graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in English Literature. He always knew he wanted to be a doctor and with his Shakespeare professor’s encouragement, he applied to medical school and graduated from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1962.
After completing a fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center, he entered the U. S. Army during the Viet Nam War and served as a Captain at the 121st Evacuation Hospital, Ascom, South Korea . Upon an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he completed a fellowship at the Veterans Administration Hospitals in Seattle, Washington. Roger met his future wife, Cheryl Masters, while working on a successful grass roots campaign to save the Pike Place Market in Seattle. He was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University in New York City and at the USC School of Medicine. At the time of his death he held the position of Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA. He was active in the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Lerner served as it’s president from 1987-1991.
He was elected to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Hearing Board as a Medical Member and served from 2016-2019.
Dr. Lerner practiced medicine in Los Angeles for over 40 years. He was an “old fashioned” doctor who still made house calls and his patients adored him.
He loved classical music, photography and the Dodgers. His dream was realized in 2015 when his photographic work ‘Form and Light’ and “Light Interrupted” was shown in two Los Angeles galleries.
When not caring for his patients, he spent time with his family and friends who fondly remember him greeting them at his front door wearing a big smile and his red apron. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl and his daughters Hannah and Clea.
Donations in Doctor Lerner’s honor may be made to the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Diabetes Association.
Dr. Lerner was such an incredibly wonderful person. He was my Dr for over 15 years and my family adored him. So helpful, so giving of his time. He is missed.