In Remembrance
November 1938 - June 2020
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Pearls from a Clinician-ResearcheR (TPJ, June 2021)
Tribute by SFMYC (San Francisco Model Yacht Club)
Tribute in Menopause by Wulf Utian MD & Isaac Schiff MD, NAMS
TRIBUTE in JBMR By Drs. Robert Marcus, Steve Cummings, Joan LO, Harry GenantAnnouncement from NAMS (North American Menopause society)
Obituary, San francisco Chronicle |
With deep sadness, we share that Bruce Ettinger, MD passed away following a heart attack (not covid-19 related) on June 15, 2020 at Kaiser San Francisco. We will remember him as a fun, kind, witty, and caring human being. (For what happened?! Click here.)
Bruce was a bright light born on the dark night of November 9, 1938 in New York City. ('kristallnacht' for those unfamiliar with the date) A dedicated boy scout, Bruce was a gentle soul despite being a native New Yorker. At Columbia College, Bruce relished studies in the Humanities Core Curriculum- a foundation for this “Renaissance Man."
A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Bruce completed his internship/residency at Boston City Hospital on the Harvard Medical Service (II & IV), where he was known as “The Flash” for his efficient competence. With residency cut short by the draft, Bruce completed his service as a pediatrician. Apparently, the receiving Colonel was dismayed to learn that he studied internal medicine:
"What am I going to do with an internist?! I need surgeons for MASH units. Oh, and a pediatrician here on base."
Bruce quickly volunteered, "Oh, I can do pediatrics, you know, it's basically just medicine for little people." Bruce spent his tour of duty at Zama army base hospital in Japan- a time that sparked a lifelong love of Japanese arts including passions for woodcraft, gardening, and ceramics.
Bruce arrived in his adopted hometown of San Francisco in 1968, where he joined white coats in protest over the war in Vietnam. Committed to the belief that everyone deserves access to high quality, affordable health care, Bruce joined The Permanente Medical Group in 1970 as a Senior Physician in internal medicine specializing in endocrinology for over 30 years at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. Eager to bring the intellectual rigor of academia to his practice, Bruce hosted a monthly meeting for Permanente endocrinologists from across Northern California to discuss journal articles and to collaborate on difficult cases over SF’s gourmet cuisine. Started in 1976, the Endo Group, aka “the eating meeting”, became a model for fostering excellence in other Permanente specialty groups. From 1990-2003, Bruce was the Chair of the Chiefs of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Endocrinology Group. A dedicated and patient teacher, Bruce retired as Clinical Professor (Emeritus) of Medicine and Radiology at UCSF. Remembered for his reassuring presence, good humor, and accessible way of explaining complicated issues, Bruce was a beloved physician and mentor for Kaiser/UCSF residents and colleagues. [More on Physician]
Bruce was a bright light born on the dark night of November 9, 1938 in New York City. ('kristallnacht' for those unfamiliar with the date) A dedicated boy scout, Bruce was a gentle soul despite being a native New Yorker. At Columbia College, Bruce relished studies in the Humanities Core Curriculum- a foundation for this “Renaissance Man."
A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Bruce completed his internship/residency at Boston City Hospital on the Harvard Medical Service (II & IV), where he was known as “The Flash” for his efficient competence. With residency cut short by the draft, Bruce completed his service as a pediatrician. Apparently, the receiving Colonel was dismayed to learn that he studied internal medicine:
"What am I going to do with an internist?! I need surgeons for MASH units. Oh, and a pediatrician here on base."
Bruce quickly volunteered, "Oh, I can do pediatrics, you know, it's basically just medicine for little people." Bruce spent his tour of duty at Zama army base hospital in Japan- a time that sparked a lifelong love of Japanese arts including passions for woodcraft, gardening, and ceramics.
Bruce arrived in his adopted hometown of San Francisco in 1968, where he joined white coats in protest over the war in Vietnam. Committed to the belief that everyone deserves access to high quality, affordable health care, Bruce joined The Permanente Medical Group in 1970 as a Senior Physician in internal medicine specializing in endocrinology for over 30 years at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. Eager to bring the intellectual rigor of academia to his practice, Bruce hosted a monthly meeting for Permanente endocrinologists from across Northern California to discuss journal articles and to collaborate on difficult cases over SF’s gourmet cuisine. Started in 1976, the Endo Group, aka “the eating meeting”, became a model for fostering excellence in other Permanente specialty groups. From 1990-2003, Bruce was the Chair of the Chiefs of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Endocrinology Group. A dedicated and patient teacher, Bruce retired as Clinical Professor (Emeritus) of Medicine and Radiology at UCSF. Remembered for his reassuring presence, good humor, and accessible way of explaining complicated issues, Bruce was a beloved physician and mentor for Kaiser/UCSF residents and colleagues. [More on Physician]
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In the early 70s, Bruce chaired the Patient Services committee, which developed a Patients' Bill of Rights adopted by Kaiser Permanente San Francisco. Subsequently, it served as the template for Kaiser's Northern and Southern California region hospitals. Later, when he chaired the Patient Concerns Committee started by nurses, Bruce met the love of his life, Vivian. Always walking hand in hand, Bruce and Vivian worked together at Kaiser for decades. They received a “most romantic couple” award upon retirement. Bruce was a loyal husband admired for his playful partnership with and devotion to Vivian.
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While maintaining a full time clinical practice, Bruce’s research focused on "stones and bones." Brilliant yet humble, Bruce was a clinician’s researcher with an open mind and relentless curiosity to study issues that directly improved patient care. He excelled at designing studies to address practical issues. For example, in the early 90s as menopausal patients reported taking "dong quai" prescribed after "visiting a TCM," Bruce designed studies to evaluate this Chinese herbal medicine and alternative (Traditional Chinese Medicine) diagnoses.
From 1992-2003, Bruce was a Senior Investigator at Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research. He continued after retirement, as a mentor and served as an adjunct (emeritus) investigator-- 50 years in service to Kaiser Permanente. Most recently, Bruce worked on research related to ethnic differences in skeletal health. With over 200 publications-- some still under review, Bruce made significant contributions to research in kidney stones and in women’s health, specifically around menopause, osteoporosis, and fractures. He developed a web-based fracture risk calculator designed to provide fracture risk results in an understandable manner for patients. One of his achievements for women's health was his involvement with the creation of an ultra low dose of estrogen to reduce fracture risk in post menopausal women- all of the benefits without the harmful risks associated with hormone therapy. This dose emerged from his abiding skepticism that medicines may do more harm than good; this work reflected a culmination of his pursuit to identify the lowest dose needed to treat. [More on Bruce's Contributions to Science]
From 1992-2003, Bruce was a Senior Investigator at Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research. He continued after retirement, as a mentor and served as an adjunct (emeritus) investigator-- 50 years in service to Kaiser Permanente. Most recently, Bruce worked on research related to ethnic differences in skeletal health. With over 200 publications-- some still under review, Bruce made significant contributions to research in kidney stones and in women’s health, specifically around menopause, osteoporosis, and fractures. He developed a web-based fracture risk calculator designed to provide fracture risk results in an understandable manner for patients. One of his achievements for women's health was his involvement with the creation of an ultra low dose of estrogen to reduce fracture risk in post menopausal women- all of the benefits without the harmful risks associated with hormone therapy. This dose emerged from his abiding skepticism that medicines may do more harm than good; this work reflected a culmination of his pursuit to identify the lowest dose needed to treat. [More on Bruce's Contributions to Science]
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A passionate hobbyist, Bruce built and flew model airplanes and gliders since childhood. He loved to invent creative ways to launch the gliders. When his planes crashed, he returned home delighted with the time spent flying in thermals and eager to rebuild the plane for the next flight. This video of the Merlyn shows the largest plane he ever built with his PS Flyer pals. Vivian contributed the musical score, theme from Noble House, to the video; it is also the music that was playing at the time that he left us.
[More on Hobbyist] |
In retirement, Bruce discovered model yacht sailing. After building a 36-R boat, Beamy Up, Bruce became a regular sailor at Spreckels Lake, Golden Gate Park. He served as Secretary on the Board of the San Francisco Model Yacht Club. [More on Hobbyist]
The Bruce Ettinger Bottle Boat Regatta will be held on November 13, 2021 at Spreckels Lake in Golden Gate Park. To learn more about this event, please visit 2021 Regatta.
The Bruce Ettinger Bottle Boat Regatta will be held on November 13, 2021 at Spreckels Lake in Golden Gate Park. To learn more about this event, please visit 2021 Regatta.
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Bruce’s green thumb nurtured a 100 year old bonsai, countless orchids and cymbidia, and a Japanese garden. He tended a rooftop organic vegetable farm, his beloved “Garden with a View.” Bruce delighted most in engaging others, especially young people, in his joys-- kite flying, rock sculpture building, hiking in nature, pottery, bottle boat sailing, mahjong, photography, movie making, and piano. Always with a stack of library books on his bedside table, Bruce was a trusted book recommender and PSIFF Film Festival buff. [More on Renaissance Man]
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Ever helpful, courteous, and kind, Bruce was a valued friend, cherished “Uncle Bruce,” and treasured and proud father/grandfather. Bruce enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, sharing his love of building, gardening, and kite flying. He leaves them with a legacy of enjoying working with their hands and being outdoors together. Bruce loved time outdoors, so when you look up at the night sky, Bruce will be winking at you in the stars. Please give him a wave on your next night stroll.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife Vivian, their daughter Kate, and his son Jon (& Jenifer) Ettinger, his daughter Jennifer (& Joe) Lucido, and his grandchildren: Celia, Laurel, Storm, Sidney, and Jack.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife Vivian, their daughter Kate, and his son Jon (& Jenifer) Ettinger, his daughter Jennifer (& Joe) Lucido, and his grandchildren: Celia, Laurel, Storm, Sidney, and Jack.
Memories of Bruce
Donations
We received several requests regarding donations. We appreciate your generosity. For those interested in making a donation in Bruce's honor, contributions can be made to the San Francisco Model Yacht Club for Bruce's Bottle Class Youth Activities.
Bruce with friend and fellow sailor Ed at Spreckels Lake, Golden Gate Park on June 10, 2020.