Louis Berman

Louis Berman was born on February 27,1934 in Johannesburg, South Africa to Isaac and Dora Berman. His first language was Yiddish. He learned English when he started elementary school. Despite this inauspicious start, he excelled as a student including winning first prize in Latin and Hebrew across the country. He was the first in his family to attend University and graduated as a physician in 1957. Louis trained in Rheumatology in Chicago and London, was the first certified rheumatologist in South Africa, and trained a generation of medical students; one of whom, Margaret Spitz, later became his wife. They were married for 55 years. In 1978, they emigrated to Houston to provide their children with greater opportunities and freedom. He built a thriving rheumatology practice and was much beloved by his patients and staff. Louis was a superb physician and an astute diagnostician. Well before other men in his generation, he was remarkably supportive and proud of his wife’s academic successes. Louis was a loving father and grandfather and devoted and proud husband. His children- Elise (Eric Engels), David (Sasha) and Howard (Randee) and grandchildren- Josh, Emma, Rebecca, Gabrielle, Samuel, Ariella, and Sophie- were his most cherished possessions; he was devoted to all of them. He is also survived by his brother Solly and sister Hannah in Melbourne, Australia. He was predeceased by his sister Ray. Louis developed a love of the beach from his childhood in Muizenberg and an annual beach vacation became a family tradition. His hobbies were listening to classical music and creative writing. and books and books. One of his favorite activities was taking his grandchildren to bookstores and buying armloads of books for them. He had a passion for learning and had a remarkable ability to translate the complex into the simple; a talent much appreciated by his many students. He learned to play the piano by ear listening to his sister’s lessons and after retiring took piano lessons himself. If desired, the Family suggests donations be made to the Jewish Federation of Houston. The funeral service was held on Monday, December 26, 2022 at Beth Jacob Cemetery, 2300 Almeda Genoa Rd., Houston, TX 77047 The recording of the service can be found at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY3MjAxMjY4OTIyNjU0OSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Live streams may be interrupted due to poor internet signal at the cemetery. Unfortunately these are circumstances outside of our control. The funeral service is also being recorded in real time and will be uploaded as soon as the funeral service is completed. If you are watching the live stream and it is disrupted or you log in and the service isn’t available, please check back later.

Louis Berman

February 27, 1934 - December 24, 2022