Dr. Bernard Harry Feldman

Dr. Bernard (“Bernie”) Harry Feldman, 87, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Yom Kippur, October 2, 2025. Bernie was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 22, 1938, to David and Faye Feldman. From an immigrant family that fled persecution of Jews in Eastern Europe, Bernie developed a strong value system that focused on self-reliance, diligence, and a commitment to hard work and study. At an early age, Bernie thrived in academic settings. He graduated from Central High School in Omaha at age sixteen and took his first plane ride to New York City to attend Columbia University on a full scholarship. Bernie excelled at Columbia in every subject, sans French. While living in New York, Bernie also developed a love of jazz and an appetite for exploring new places. After graduation, Bernie returned to Nebraska and earned his medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical School. Shortly after medical school, Bernie moved to Houston for a one-year surgical internship at Hermann Hospital. It didn’t take long for him to be set up on a blind date with native Houstonian Sheryl (“Sherry”) Kost, who invited Bernie to a picnic in Hermann Park on their second date. Sherry filled her picnic basket with the famous fried chicken from Westwood Country Club, and Bernie instantly fell in love. They married on July 26, 1964, and have been in love for 61 years. Prior to Bernie and Sherry’s marriage, Bernie was drafted during the Vietnam War. He felt a duty to serve his country and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas at Fort Sam Houston, where he taught helicopter medics battlefield first aid. In 1965, Bernie and Sherry welcomed their first son, Arthur, into the world. After Bernie’s discharge, he trained in urological surgery in Minneapolis where a second son, Lowell, was born in 1968. Bernie and Sherry’s last son, James, was born in 1972 shortly after the family settled permanently in Houston, Texas, where Bernie started his first professional medical practice. Bernie’s career as a urologist spanned five decades. He treated countless Houstonians with care and compassion. A brilliant physician, Bernie was known as a “doctor’s doctor” and founded one of the city’s first ambulatory surgical centers. During his long career, Bernie continued to expand his knowledge of not only medicine, but other scientific and academic interests as well. Stacks of scholarly journals could be found in his home office, on nightstands, and on tables throughout his home. Throughout his life, Bernie encouraged and supported his children and grandchildren in their pursuit of intellectual and academic achievements. He not only financially supplemented their educations, but more importantly, he took great interest in each child or grandchild’s field of study. His grandchildren could always count on lengthy discussions about their coursework while visiting Papa, as he was affectionately called. With much pride, Bernie’s progeny attended Tufts, Duke, Tulane, The University of Miami, The University of Texas, the University of Maryland, Creighton School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Rice, Middlebury College, the University of Washington–Seattle, and Vanderbilt. Bernie, in his proudest moments, attended over a dozen graduations of his children and grandchildren. For Bernie, educational advancement is tethered to principles of free speech and freedom of thought—pillars of our democratic experiment. In addition to Bernie’s interest in medicine and education, he loved working with his hands and dabbled in carpentry, gardening, and home renovation. He loved to fix and repair antique furniture and spent long hours reading by the front window of his home in an antique rocker he had salvaged and repaired years ago. Bernie exercised throughout his life and enjoyed running, playing tennis, going to the gym, golfing with friends, skiing, and scuba diving. Bernie loved to travel with Sherry, his children, grandchildren, and friends. Bernie especially loved family celebrations, and if invited, could always be counted on to attend. Over the course of Bernie and Sherry’s long marriage, they developed many lifelong friendships. From their decades-long Bridge Group to couples’ dates at the Alley Theater, Houston Ballet, and Houston Opera, as well as countless Houston sporting events, Bernie and Sherry enjoyed spending time with their community of friends. Jewish culture and traditions were important to Bernie, and he was very proud to celebrate the bar and bat mitzvahs of all his children and grandchildren. A highly principled person, Bernie set a strong example for his family through constantly evaluating moral situations to become the best human being he could be. Bernie never held a grudge. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be forever cherished and missed. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, David and Faye Feldman, and his brothers, Mike Feldman and Albert Feldman. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Sheryl Kost Feldman; his sister, Shirley Feldman-Summers, and brother-in-law, David Summers; three sons, Arthur, Lowell, and James Feldman; and his daughters-in-law, Jeri Amundsen, Jacquetta Feldman, and Karen Katz Feldman. He was the proud grandfather of Penny, Harry, Norah, David, Isaac & Karla, Daniel, Rachel, Josie, and Aaron, and their loving partners. Many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews and his sisters-in-law, Judy and Ellie Feldman, also survive him. A funeral service was held on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 10:30 am in the Sophia and Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055. The livestream of the service can be viewed at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b. Bernie supported the Physicians Benevolent Fund, www.texmed.org/donate, and would have appreciated any charitable donations in his honor to that worthy organization or other charity of your choice.

Dr. Bernard Harry Feldman

February 22, 1938 - October 2, 2025