Norman Bruce Frankel, MD

Norman Bruce Frankel passed away peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2026. Norman was a well-known physician specializing in gastroenterology and former managing partner at the Medical Clinic of Houston on Sunset, where he worked from 1971 until his retirement in 2017. Norman was born in New York City on January 19, 1941, to Henry and Henrietta Frankel. He was raised in Flushing Meadow, Queens and graduated high school at the age of 16. Norman graduated from Alfred University in 1961, and matriculated to Albert Einstein Medical College, graduating in 1965. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Vanderbilt from 1965 to 1967. Subsequently, he did a gastroenterology fellowship at Georgetown University from 1967 to 1969. Norman then spent two years in the Army during the Vietnam War, stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Following his completion of service, he and his family moved to Houston, where he began a 46-year practice at the Medical Clinic of Houston, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Houston Methodist Hospital. Since he was a young child, he knew that he always wanted to be a physician. He loved practicing medicine and being a physician. Norman felt that he never worked a day in his life. Even after retirement, when asked, he always missed his colleagues and his patients. Norman is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Frankel. They met in early 1964, had a whirlwind 6-week courtship, and married on June 2, 1964. It was the best decision for both of them. He is also survived by his oldest son, Scott, born in New York in 1965, middle son, Stewart, born in Washington D.C. in 1968, and youngest son, Stephen, born in Augusta, Georgia in 1971. The joke was that they needed to settle down, as it seemed like every time they moved, another child would show up. He is also survived by Scott's wife, Shari Frankel, and Stephen's fiancée, Lauri Mendelzon. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Megan and Sophia Frankel. Norman has one brother, Jay, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Norman had a large collection of jokes, a wicked sense of humor, and was quite the storyteller. He was also a collector of things including pens and watches. He was a longtime member of Braeburn Country Club and part of the poker group. Norman enjoyed decades of handgun target shooting and sporting clays; as expected, he had a group of friends from there as well. Some of the places he liked to visit were the many decades of trips to Sea Island, Georgia, and Acapulco, Mexico with the family, where he made many friends. He also enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas. The family would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Meyers, Dr. Al Raizner, and all the medical care providers for years of medical care. We would like to thank all the staff at Houston Methodist Hospital over the past several months. A special thank you to his caregiver, Julie Baca, over the past several years. A private family burial will take place at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery. The family asks that you join them for a memorial service at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut Street, Houston, Texas 77096, at 11:30 am on Thursday May 7, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

Norman Bruce Frankel, MD

January 19, 1941 - May 4, 2026