Obituary of Brian David Altman

Brian David Altman, M.D. age 80, born on February 29, 1944 in Temple, Texas to the late Harold Altman, M.D. & Alice Jacobs passed away April 11th after a 3-year long battle with esophageal cancer. He fought valiantly every step of the way and continued to battle until his last breath. He passed away at home surrounded by his loving family.

Brian is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sherri, his daughter, Robin, and his son, Brad. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara, and brother, Donald along with his nephew, Jacob, and niece, Lilah.

Brian graduated from New Rochelle High School in New York. Rather than moving away, he decided to remain close to his family and attend Adelphi University where he graduated Cum Laude from their Pre-Med program. He then decided to attend Yale Medical School; he would later go on to become board-certified in both pediatrics and ophthalmology. He paused his medical training during the Vietnam War to enlist in the Public Health Service, where he would eventually earn the rank of Commander in the Coast Guard. Brian has been on staff at a multitude of hospitals; his experience includes being the Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology at: Eastern State School and Hospital, Woodhaven School and Hospital, Temple University School of Medicine, and Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine. He was a consultant in pediatrics and member of the Ophthalmologic Staff at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Montgomery Hospital & Sacred Heart Hospitals. He was the Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Albert Einstein Hospital for nearly a decade. He worked as courtesy staff at Jeans Hospital, Einstein Hospital, and Warminster Hospital. He also practiced pediatric ophthalmology at Abington Memorial Hospital and Holy Redeemer Hospital. When he met and married Sherri, he decided to move to the Jersey Shore where he would be on staff at Will’s Eye Surgicenter of Cape May County, Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, Shore Memorial Hospital, and Atlantic Care Surgery Center. Brian has numerous published works accredited to his name; amongst them is his pioneering research in diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome.

Dr. Altman is remembered fondly by his patients for his warm demeanor and special ability to make his office more inviting for children. He loved seeing patients in his office, but he had a true passion for the operating room. Amongst his colleagues, Dr. Altman is remembered for being a world-class diagnostician and surgeon.

Brian, when he moved to South Jersey, operated out of offices in Rio Grande, Cape May Courthouse, and Ocean City. When he was not working, he loved spending time with his children (“Kingie and Queenie”), going out fishing on his boat (aptly named, “The Eye Dock,”) or spending time with “Sher.” When he was younger, he spawned a fascination of numismatics and continued to cultivate that passion late into his life.

Funeral services will be held  1pm  Sunday April 14th at Beth Judah Temple in Wildwood, New Jersey. Donations in his honor may be made out to Doctors Without Borders. 

P.O. Box 5030 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030

Doctorswithoutborders.org

Condolences may be sent to ingersollgreenwoodfh.com