04/08/09 - NNHS Newsletter -
Alvin Mirmelstein, M.D.

Alvin B. H. Mirmelstein
(1923 - 05 Apr 2009)

Newport News High School Class of @ 1941

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,   

    We have still another sad Memorial Edition of the NNHS Newsletter today.   Beloved retired Peninsula physician,   Alvin Mirmelstein, Class of @ 1941, brother of Howard Mirmelstein of VA, passed away in Williamsburg on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at the age of about 86.  May his memory be for a blessing always.

From the Daily Press - 04/08/09:

     Alvin B. H. Mirmelstein, M.D.  
 

 

 

 

WILLIAMSBURG - Alvin B. H. Mirmelstein, M.D., of Williamsburg, Va., son of Louis Mirmelstein and Frances Binder Mirmelstein, and brother of Howard Mirmelstein, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2009.

Dr. Mirmelstein was born in Newport News, Va., in 1923. He graduated from Newport News High School, attended Duke University and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia. He did his postgraduate work in Otorhinolaryngology at Northwestern University. Dr. Mirmelstein practiced ear, nose and throat medicine in Newport News for 42 years. He was the first physician on the Peninsula to perform microscopic surgery of the middle ear and was able to restore hearing to many local hearing impaired residents who previously had no hope for a cure.

Dr. Mirmelstein served his country during World War II and the Korean War as a Captain in the Army Medical Corps. He was a founding member of and the first President of the Newport News Wetlands Commission, and a founding member of Temple Sinai. He was also a founding member of the Centurion Club, an organization dedicated to deafness research.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Ruth Russell Mirmelstein; five children, Alvin Mirmelstein and wife Beverly of Charlottesville, Va., Fred Mirmelstein and wife Susan Mathews of Indianapolis, Ind., Russ Mirmelstein of Williamsburg, Va., Sally Scott and husband Tim of Kingsport, Tenn., and Lewis Mirmelstein of Williamsburg, Va.; seven grandchildren, Jason Mirmelstein and wife, Lane Crowder of Chattanooga, Tenn., Claire Hopkins and husband Michael of Orrs Island, Maine, Jeffery Mirmelstein of Charlottesville, Va., Kara Mirmelstein of Indianapolis, Ind., Kendall and Hunter Scott of Johnson City, Tenn., and Peyton Scott of Kingsport, Tenn.; and two great-grandchildren, Willa Grace and Eli Mirmelstein of Chattanooga, Tenn.

A private service is planned.

Memorial donations may be made to Kings Daughters Children's Hospital, Norfolk, Va.

The family wishes to thank all the professional and caring individuals at Williamsburg Sentara Hospital and Bayata Nursing Services who helped our beloved Father in his final days. He will be greatly missed by his family and the community he served faithfully for many years. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press from 4/8/2009 - 4/9/2009.
 Guest Book

 

 


April 08, 2009

I'm so sorry to hear of Dr. Mirmelsterin's passing. He was my son's doctor 28 years ago. May God bless the family and be with you at this time.

~ Fran Ray, Newport News, Virginia

April 08, 2009

What a sweet man !! What a wonderful husband and Father. One of a kind ! You all were so lucky to have him in your lives. Our sincerest sympathy. Judy & Chick Becker
 
~ Charles Becker, Richmond, Virginia Contact Me

April 08, 2009

I had the distinct honor and privilege to work with Dr. Mirmelstein from 1967-1971 while I was a pediatric nurse at Riverside Hospital. In taking care of his many tonsillectomy patients, I found him a caring and dedicated physician.
My sincere sympathy to the family.

~ Carolyn Lambroff, Newport News, Virginia

April 08, 2009

I'm so sorry to read of Dr. Mirmelstein's passing, he was a great person, our mother worked with him for years. He was our family's doctor and a friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our Deepest Sympathy to his Family. Myles and Catherine Hudson

~ Catherine Hudson, Newport News, Virginia

April 08, 2009

While I did not have the pleasure of knowing Dr. Mirmelstein, I did work with his son Russ at Drucker & Falk. My deepest sympathy to Russ and his family in this loss.

~ Marilyn Armstrong, Newport News, Virginia

April 08, 2009
 

Russ, I'm so sorry to hear about your father's passing. I remember he and your mother being such nice people when Mark and I were up there doing some work on their house. I'm not sure if your remember me or not, but I worked for you with Drucker and Falk many years ago. Please give your mother my condolences and let me know if there is anything I can possibly do for your guys. Annette (Haberman) Firth
 
~ Annette Firth, Poquoson, Virginia
Contact Me

April 08, 2009
 

Dear Mary Ruth,

Mary and I were so very sorry to hear about the loss of Alvin. He was a good family man and well respected by his neighbors and the entire community. He will be sadly missed.

I know Alice enjoyed her many visits with you and Alvin. She often reminisced about them and how much fun she had. I also have many fond memories of growing up in Beechwood Hills and playing in the woods near your home.

Please extend our condolences to the entire family. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.

Jerry Smith
 
~  Jerry Smith, White Stone, Virginia Contact Me

April 08, 2009
 

It is our good fortune to have known Alvin. He was a wonderful neighbor and friend. We wish to extend our condolences to Mary Ruth and the family.

Don and Linda Grantham

April 08, 2009

There are so many cherished memories I have of Dr. Mirmelstein and his family, but at this moment my heart aches. He was a wonderful man, known not just for his medical practice, but also for the loving family he and "Mrs. Mirm" raised, and the friendship, knowledge and love that "Doc" shared with all that knew him.
Fred, my heart and prayers are with you, your mom, and the rest of the family.
Jimmy Dossett

~ Jim Dossett, OBX, North Carolina Contact Me

April 08, 2009
 

It is sad to learn of the passing of a friend.
Memorable moments were shared, while visiting last year at Riverside Rehab. Convalescent home.
His contribution to peoples health and welfare is exceeded only by his love of God and family.
Prayers and blessings to Mary Ruth and family.
Reverend Jim & Danielle Lehman
Gainesville, Florida
 
~ Pastor Jim Lehman,
Gainesville, Florida Contact Me

April 08, 2009

~Jane Adkins, Hampton, Virginia

April 08, 2009

 My prayers are with the family of this gentle and kind man. I will miss him.

~ L. Crayton, Hampton, Virginia

April 09, 2009
 

Mary Ruth and family,

I was sorry to hear of the passing of this wonderful man. Having worked for his brother, Howard, for many years I had some contact with your family. My sympathies to all. It seems like the passing of an era. Love, Lettie MacCleery
 
~ Lettie MacCleery, Newport News, Virginia Contact Me

April 09, 2009
 

I was sorry to have read about Alvin.
Good memories of him and your family growing up on Stratford and in Beechmont have never been forgotten. I know he will be missed by your family and all who knew him. Mary Ruth, Sally and family you are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
~ Nancy Seward Whitley, Newport News, Virginia

April 09, 2009

Mirmelstein Family,
My condolences on the loss of your father and husband. My prayers are with you.
Richard Shoemaker and Family

~ Richard Shoemaker, NN, Virginia

April 09, 2009

My thoughts, my heart, and my prayers are with you at this difficult time. I was Dr. Mirmelstein's patient many many years ago when I was just a small child facing surgery. His kindness and sweet nature will never be forgotten. What a wonderful man he was! God be with you all.

~ Marie Watkins Hamann, Poquoson, Virginia

April 09, 2009
 

Mary Ruth and family, having worked for this great man, I have only the highest regard for his professionalism and love for his patients and all who knew him. He will be sorely missed.
Prayers for you all.
 
~ Jonnie Landis, Idaho Falls, Idaho Contact Me

April 09, 2009
 

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I remember when Bob and I took Sherry to Dr. Mirmelstein for a tonsillectomy. On the way there, Bob said "I hope Dr. Mirmelstein doesn't remember the blisters that Alvin Jr. got on his feet when I made him run laps at football practice". We needn't have worried because Dr. Mirmelstein was the consummate professional and never even mentioned it. He was truly a wonderful man and I feel fortunate to have known him and his family.
 
~ Betty Hasinger, Yorktown, Virginia Contact Me

April 09, 2009

Mary Ruth and family,
My sincere sympathy to all of the family. What a special man with a big heart and kind smile. Having worked for Dr. Howard for many years, I came to know Dr. Alvin and your family.

~ Linda Hicks, Lake Gaston, North Carolina

April 09, 2009
 

So sorry to hear of Dr. Mirmelstein's death. I am a retired nurse that trained at old Riverside Hospital, graduating in 1956. He was the first doctor that I ever assisted in surgery. I was scared and nervous. He was so kind and helpful to me that day, and I shall always remember him for that, never fussing if I was slow. After I married and had children he did T&A's on both of our children, being a very special doctor to the them.
 
~ Charlotte Yeatts, Daleville, Virginia



 

   Our sincerest sympathies are extended to the entire Mirmelstein family and their friends at this time, as well as to Dr. Mirmelstein's former patients.

   From Cheryl Mays Howard ('66) of VA - 04/08/09 - "Dr. Mirmelstein":

I was sad to read of Dr. Mirmelstein's death. He was our family ENT and did surgery to rebuild our daughter Miriam's eardrum, due to so many ear infections. He was always a joy to see, even when in pain. He took my tonsils out when I was 18! Bet many of you lost your tonsils to him as well....ha
 
Peace & Blessing,
Cheryl

   I'm sure that's true, Cheryl.  Thank you.

  From Catherine Slusser Hudson ('64) of VA - 04/08/09 - "Dr. Mirmelstein's Death":

Hi Carol:

It was with such sadness that I read about Dr. A.B.H. Mirmelstein's Death. My mother-in-law worked for him for over 23 years. He was not only our doctor he was our friend. He was at my wedding and he took out all three of my children's tonsils (he did both the boys on the same day back to back). We have such fond memories of him over the years and he was always there for us. Our Sincere Sympathy to his wife and family.


Catherine Hudson

   Thank you, Catherine. My deepest condolences on the loss of your friend.

From Patricia Sheene (Matthews) of VA - 04/09/09 - "Notice for Alvin B. H. Mirmelstein M.D.":

... didn't know if you saw this notice of Dr. Mirmelstein's passing.... he went to NNHS.. was a wonderful doctor.. my kids had him when they were little.

   Thanks, Tricia.

   Y'all take good care of each other!  TYPHOONS FOREVER!  We'll Always Have Buckroe!

                          Love to all, Carol

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Carol Buckley Harty
 618-530-9092

Oseh Shalom

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