Dr. Kenneth Jay Weiner, a top gastroenterologist who also tried to heal the world with laughter and love, passed away Aug. 20, 2009, in Englewood. He was 49. Rabbi Bruce Dollin and Cantor Martin Goldstein officiated at the Aug. 23 service at the HEA. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
The HEAs sanctuary had to be extended to High Holiday capacity to accommodate all of Dr. Weiners family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
Also speaking at the service were friends Michael Miller, Dr. Jeff Rubinstein and David Fine; brother-in-law David Lane; and brother Gary Weiner.
Jeff Nathanson played some of Dr. Weiners favorite tunes on the saxophone.
I am not family, said Mr. Miller, a friend and neighbor. Im not on the cusp of 50 years of age, not Jewish, not a George Washington graduate, not on Kens 40th birthday ski bus, and not a physician.
But my mere presence right now exemplifies the uniquely magnetic draw that Ken had, which attracted and endeared so many types of people from so many facets of life.
Aubrie, who said that her father would want her to cease and desist from dissolving into tears, summed up the feelings of Dr. Weiners children:
Dont be sad for me, she said. I was the luckiest daughter to have had 17 years with the best father anyone could have.
Then Aubrie, Carly and Mason read a poem about their dad.
At the service, patients told me over and over that Ken had saved their lives, wife Lori Weiner told the IJN. But he never said anything to me about that. He was so humble, quietly impacting so many people. They loved him so much.
Dr. Weiner was born Feb. 1, 1960, in Denver.
A 1978 graduate of George Washington High, he graduated Stanford University in 1981 and then spent a year on a kibbutz in Israel.
Dr. Weiner married Lori Sanders on Dec. 3, 1989, at Beth Joseph.
He attended medical school at Case Western Reserve and did his residency at CU, where he was chief resident from 1991-1992.
Following a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of California-San Diego from 1992-1994, Dr. Weiner began practicing at Mile High Gastroenterology in 1994.
He then became a partner at Colorado Gastroenterology.
Voted Top Doc by 5280 Magazine for nine years, Dr. Weiner was an avid golfer, skier, and tennis and basketball player.
He loved watching all sports, especially with his son Mason, Lori said.
Dr. Weiner is survived by his wife Lori Weiner; children Aubrie, Carly and Mason; mother Marlene (the late Leonard) Weiner; mother- and father-in-law Roberta and Larry Sanders; grandmother Sylvia Goldstein; sister Joni (David) Lane and brother Gary (Barbara) Weiner; and brothers-in-law Jeff, Steve, and Doug (Katie) Sanders.
Contributions may be made to Colorectal Cancer Coalition, 1414 Prince St., #204, Alexandria, VA 22314; or the Denver Hospice.
