Dr. John Joshua
Dr. John Henry Joshua, 94, who fled Germany as a teen, practiced as an orthopedic surgeon in Denver, 1961-1988, and was a respected surgeon at Beth Israel Hospital, passed away July 1, 2021. Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky officiated at the July 2 graveside service at Mt. Nebo Cemetery.
Rabbis Chaim Sher and Michoel Fleischmann also spoke. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Dr. Joshua loved life to its fullest and enjoyed every moment possible in the physical world,” the family said. “He gave extensive tzedakah anonymously to many Jewish organizations, as well as educational forums and nature preserves.”
Dr. Joshua was born in 1926 in Frankfurt, Germany. He immigrated to the US with his father, mother and two sisters in 1938 by way of the Netherlands and England.
Dr. Joshua served in the US Army in WW II.
After living in New York, the doctor, his wife Natalie Siegel Joshua and their nine-month-old baby moved to Denver in 1961.
Dr. Joshua was known for his innovative ideas for post-surgical rehabilitation, specifically for senior patients recovering from hip surgery.
He was the physician for the Berthoud Pass ski patrol, competed in Masters Swim and Nordic downhill races, and biked yearly in the Denver full moon midnight ride.
His passion for gardening berries, vegetables and flowers resulted in bountiful gifts of produce for family, friends, neighbors and the staff at Beth Israel.
A trout fisherman who preferred the high mountain areas of Colorado, he later took fishing expeditions to Alaska, Canada and various remote islands such as Barbuda, West Indies.
After retirement, Dr. Joshua volunteered for Doctors to the World for 12 years as a primary care doc on the remote island of Barbuda, as well as Orthopedic Overseas in St. Lucia and Saba.
Dr. John Joshua is survived by his wife Natalie Joshua; children Susan Joshua, Jackie Joshua-Robb (James Robb) and Michael Joshua (Chava Rabinowitz); sister Claire Weitzman; and grandchildren Jasmine Joshua, Jade Robb and Gus Joshua.
Contributions may be made to BMH-BJ.
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