Art Egelman
Dr. Art Egelman, a brilliant psychiatrist who spoke eight languages fluently, passed away Aug. 1, 2020, in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was 91 years old. Rabbi Jay Sherwood officiated at the Aug. 5 service at Temple Shalom. Evergreen Funeral Home made the arrangements.
“Art possessed an easy, natural magnetism that attracted everyone,” the family said. “He was deeply kind and insightful.
“He had a stunning intellectual capacity, coupled with an unguarded and ubiquitous sense of humor. Jokes and riddles delighted him.”
Dr. Egelman was born Dec. 12, 1928, in New York.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse and an MA from New York University before attending medical school at the University of Geneva in Switzerland.
Dr. Egelman performed his clinical rotations in various countries in Europe, which strengthened his remarkable facility with languages.
He performed his medical internship in Denver before hanging his shingle as a psychiatrist in Washington, DC, where he served as the head of psychotropic medications with the FDA.
Dr. Egelman married Cirel Dortort in 1966. They lived for a time in Israel before moving to Albuquerque, NM.
He opened his psychiatric practice in Albuquerque, joined the staff of several hospitals and became chairman of the psychiatry dept. at Heights Psychiatric.
A member of the Army Reserves and the Mexico Mounted Patrol, he was an expert in the operation and history of firearms.
In 1989, Dr. Egelman and his wife moved to Colorado, first to Pueblo and later to Colorado Springs. He retired at age 80.
A respected scholar, he had an extensive collection of books, many written in foreign languages, covering a range of topics.
Dr. Egelman loved poetry and cited scores of passages by heart, and his love of classical music often brought tears to his eyes.
Dr. Arthur Egelman is survived by Cirel (Dortort) Egelman, his wife of 54 years; to sons Joel and David Egelman; and grandchildren Josh, Jordan, Ari and Aviva.
Contributions may be made to the Humane Society.
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