Sheldon Oscar Burman, M.D.

age 88, of Boston, died on Friday, November 27, 2015, surrounded by his loving family of three children, nine grandchildren, and his wife of 54 years, Diane Berger Burman.

Sheldon was the son of the late Dr. Aaron Burman, Syracuse family physician, and Gussie Burman; brother of the late Genevieve Burman Share and brother-in-law of the late Nathan Share. Dr. Sheldon Burman was a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Syracuse Medical School. As a cardiothoracic surgeon, he spent the early part of his career developing techniques for replacing the aortic valve of a human with a valve harvested from an animal. His pioneering research led to a successful aortic valve replacement with a calf valve in 1967, the first such surgery in the United States. Most of his academic surgical career was spent in Chicago, where he taught and performed surgery at the University of Illinois Medical School and the Chicago Medical School. He raised his family in Highland Park, IL. After 42 years in Chicago, Dr. Burman and his wife decided to retire in Boston to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Berger Burman; three children, Allison Burman Gordon and her husband Edward Charles Gordon; Jocelyn Burman Belluck; and Harrison Emory Guy Burman, M.D. and his wife Lori Galvin Burman; and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA. Burial was conducted on Monday, November 30, at the Temple Adath Yeshurun cemetery in Syracuse, NY. Contributions may be made to the New England Anti Defamation League,