Dr. Jeffrey Mechanik
Dr. Jeffrey A. Mechanik, a Denver native, lifelong resident and a doctor of podiatry, passed away on Jan. 2, 2021, after an extended battle with cancer. He was 77. The private graveside service was held Jan. 4 at Golden Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Dr. Jeffrey never complained or uttered a harsh word about anyone, or about the disease that took him from us,” his family said. “He was a kind, honest and generous soul to everyone — the absolute definition of a mensch.”
Dr. Mechanik was born July 10, 1943 on Denver’s West Side to Norman and Manya Mechanik. He went to Colfax Elementary, Lake Junior High, North High and East High School, until the family moved to the East Side in 1960.
A member of George Washington High School’s first graduating class in 1961, he joined BBYO and became a member of AZA 734.
Dr. Mechanik pursued his pre-med studies at CU’s Boulder and Denver campuses, 1961-1964, and received early admission to the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago.
Upon earning a podiatric degree in 1967, he returned to Denver where he met his future bride Marsha at the JCC. They married after a brief courtship.
Dr. Mechanik accepted a commission in the US Army and cared for soldiers during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in Texas and Fort Benning in Georgia, 1968-1971.
After returning to Denver, he briefly worked at Mercy Hospital before practicing and teaching podiatric medicine at The Highlands Ranch Center Hospital, 1972-1995.
Dr. Mechanik regularly attended Saturday morning Shabbat services at Beth Joseph, BMH and the HEA. “He used to say that he could actually think at services, because his mind was at peace,” the family said.
He loved Jewish traditions and Jewish cuisine, especially his wife’s challah, matzah ball soup, brisket, potato latkes and borscht.
Conversant in Yiddish, Dr. Mechanik also enjoyed cars, airplanes, building models, dancing and riding his Mo-Ped. He was a fervent supporter of Israel.
Dr. Jeffrey Mechanik is survived by Marsha Mechanik, his wife of 53 years; children Michael, Dr. Joseph (Nancy) and Dr. Frederick Mechanik; and grandchildren Gage, Zachary, Charles and Johnny.
Donations may be made to JNF’s “Plant A Tree in Israel” initiative.
Copyright © 2021 by the Intermountain Jewish News
