Dr. Raphael Zahler

Dr. Raphael Zahler-, a cardiologist and medical researcher who furthered understanding of heart physiology, died on December 13, 2011, in Glendora, CA.He was 66 .Born on June 14, 1945 to Benjamin and Emma Zahler. Dr. Zahler’s career spanned mathematics, computer science, cardiology, and medical research. In high school he was a finalist in the 1962 Westinghouse Science Talent Search and was flown to Washington D.C. to meet President John F. Kennedy. He received an AB from Harvard College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and a PhD in mathematics from the University of Chicago. A pioneer in the field of algebraic topology, he was granted tenure in the mathematics department of Rutgers University at age 26. He later received an MD from Yale and was a medical resident at Boston City Hospital. Dr.Zahler went on to teach and practice cardiology at Yale University School of Medicine and Kaiser Permanente – Los Angeles. His medical research on molecular biology and the physiology of the heart was published in a variety of medical journals. Dr. Zahler was devoted to making the world a better place, from his political activity in the Civil Rights movement to his work as a cardiologist and public health educator. He was a crusader against cigarettes and wrote extensively on the detrimental effects of smoking. He was deeply involved in Jewish learning and community throughout his life. He also loved classical music, great works of literature and poetry, tennis and hiking.Above all, Dr. Zahler loved and cared deeply for his children and grandchildren. Dr. Zahler is survived by his children, Joanna (and Ramon) Herrera, Daniel Zahler, Elizabeth Zahler and Jacob Zahler; his grandchildren, Joshua, Lucas , and Nicolas Herrera and his sister Sue Wisner. Services will be held at Temple Beth Shalom, 670  Highland Ave., Needham on  Sunday  December  18, 2011 at  2:00 pm. Interment at Baker St. Cemetery, West Roxbury,MA.   Memorial observance will be at the home of Joanna and Ramon Herrera in Needham,MA on Tuesday, December 20 and Wednesday, December 21 from 4-7pm with Minyan services at 6:30 pm .In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to American Cancer Society 30  Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701. ( www.cancer.org)