Dr. Alvin Jaffee

Dr. Alvin Jaffee, 86 years old, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama. Alvin was born on September 17, 1937 in New York City. Alvin graduated at the top of his class from Stuyvesant High School in New York City and subsequently obtained an undergraduate degree from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Alvin continued with his education, graduating with an M.D. from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by a medical internship at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. After completing his commitment to the U.S. Army, stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana as a captain, Alvin relocated to Houston, Texas to complete his residency in Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. In 1965, while stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana, Alvin was set up on a blind date and met his future bride, Sharon Lewis, on a trip home to attend a wedding in New York City. After calling Sharon on the phone, he met her at her parents’ apartment and ended up passing out on her couch - as he was “three sheets to the wind!” When he woke up, Sharon made some coffee and they talked the night away. Six months later, Alvin and Sharon married! After his time at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he honorably served as an army doctor, Alvin relocated with Sharon to Houston, Texas and made it their home for 58 years. Alvin opened a medical practice in Houston and served the greater community as a Pediatrician, including a clinical faculty appointment at Baylor College of Medicine, until he retired in 2002. He was highly dedicated to each patient, sometimes making his own hospital rounds three times a day. Alvin lived life to the fullest and was extremely proud of his four children and innumerable grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to tell a joke or a story, eat a huge bowl of Blue Bell Neapolitan ice cream (carefully dissecting out the chocolate and vanilla with surgical precision and leaving the red-headed strawberry stepchild for other family members to enjoy), tuna fish, or chopped liver, washed down by a thirst-quenching Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda. A long time member of the Houstonian Club, Alvin generally avoided active exercise; however, he was recognized for setting Club records with his advanced mastery of the schvitz. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Rose Jaffee, and his eldest son, Dr. Noah Jaffee. Alvin is survived by his devoted wife, Sharon; his three children, Melissa Jaffee (Michael Hanson), Donna Askenazi (Dr. David Askenazi), Dr. Ian Jaffee (Jacqueline Jaffee), and his grandchildren: Raina Hanson, Abraham, Sareena and Jordan Askenazi, Drayson, Cade and Rian Jaffee, and Madi Falcon-Jaffee. Alvin also leaves behind his little sister Arlene Karchmer (Barry Karchmer) and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service was held on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Congregation Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055. Private gathering for family and friends to follow. Donations may be made in Dr. Alvin Jaffee’s memory to Baylor College of Medicine (https://give.bcm.edu/), Guilford College (https://www.giving.guilford.edu/), or the charity of your choice. Shiva donations may also be made in Dr. Alvin Jaffee’s memory to Kenny and Ziggy’s by phone or online, (713) 871-8883. (https://www.kennyandziggys.com/)

Dr. Alvin Jaffee

September 17, 1937 - December 29, 2023