Dr. Joe Karlin

Dr. Joe Karlin, of Newton, MA, passed away on June 9, at age 88 of natural causes.   After graduating from The City University of New York and SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in New York, Joe went on to a residency in dermatology at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York.  He served as a captain in the U.S. Army and chief of dermatology in the U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Jackson, SC during the Vietnam War, training medics in the humane way of caring for the wounded.  Joe then practiced dermatology in New York and in Denville, NJ for 35 years before retiring in 2000.  As a child in Manhattan during World War II, he and his family were instrumental in saving thousands of Jews from Hitler’s camps. Helping people remained a mantra for the rest of his life.  Among the numerous awards he earned as a physician, his favorite accolade took place on his last day of practice. When he opened the doors of his office at 9am, he was amazed to find the building’s halls and lobby filled with three generations of patients bearing balloons, cookies, flowers, and photos, all in gratitude for his many years of care.  Together with Robby, his beloved wife of 58 years, he traveled the world and through life with a keen interest in music, science, food, and wine.  Joe is survived by his two daughters, Susan and Linda, son-in-law, Peter, and grandchildren Alex and Rebecca.  He was a wise, loving, generous, and fun person.  Funeral services at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, MA, 02459 on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 9:30 am. Per Temple regulations, all attendees must be fully vaccinated. Burial will follow at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North St., Randolph, MA 02368.

Remembrances:

Musicians of the Old Post Road  www.oldpostroad.org

The Nature Conservancy  nature.org https://www.nature.org/en-us/

Temple Emanuel  https://www.templeemanuel.com/