Dr. Sanford Shmerling, 85, Atlanta

Dr. Sanford Shmerling, 85, of Atlanta died Friday, October 4, 2013.

He was born in Augusta, Ga. He is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Lena Shmerling, his first wife, Martha Copeloff Shmerling, and his second wife, Beverly Bernstein Shmerling, all of blessed memory.

He was a member of the AA Synagogue and the American Medical Association. He is survived by his sons, Gary Shmerling and Richard Shmerling; daughter-in-law Karen Schatten Shmerling and daughter Catherine Copeloff Shmerling; sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Lou Pygan, sister and brother-in-law, Arlene and Joe Berman of Atlanta. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Didi Conn and Ben, Andrew and Richard Bernstein, and 12 grandchildren.

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Sanford was known for his great sense of humor and his commitment to the care of his patients and the less fortunate. He graduated from Boys High of Atlanta, Emory University and The Medical College of Georgia. He was an Emory Fellow and a teacher and mentor for medical students and young doctors for many years, as well as the Medical Director of the William Bremen Jewish Home for 34 years.

Sanford was an avid reader. He loved learning and watching and participating in sports. He also loved music, dance, theater, opera, comedy and movies. He was an animal lover, a gardener and a long time member of the AA Men’s Choir.

Dr. Shmerling served as a captain in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. He loved America and the principles for which it stands. Sanford Shmerling will be remembered by all of those he touched for his compassion, his medical expertise, his commitments to justice and service and his ability to seek and find joy and humor in life, no matter what the circumstance.

Services were held at Greenwood Cemetery, Sun., Oct. 6 at 1 p.m., with Rabbi Neal Sandler officiating.  Please sign our online guest book at www.edressler.com. Donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or the AA Synagogue. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, Ga.