Obituary for Alfred Kronthal
Dr. Alfred Kronthal, of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on Monday, May 16th, 2022 at the age of 86. He is survived by his beloved wife, Roz Kronthal (nee Goldner); children, Sherri Kronthal, Lauren Kronthal, Lisa (Neal) Elkin, and Eric (Stacie) Kronthal; sister-in-law Joyce Kronthal; grandchildren, Claire Elkin, Cassandra Elkin, Nicholas Elkin, Jacob Kronthal, Henry Kronthal, and Reece Kronthal. He was predeceased by his loving brother, Dr. Herbert Kronthal; and parents, Reba and Jacob Kronthal.
Alfred (“Al, Alfie, Baba”) was born on December 15, 1935 and spent nearly his entire life in Baltimore. He studied piano at the Peabody Institute, attended high school at Baltimore City College and graduated from Loyola University. While studying medicine at University of Maryland, at the young age of 24, Al met Roz on a blind date. Marrying just 10 months later, they’ve spent the last 60+ years as the loves of each other's lives and best friends.
Their early years of marriage were busy raising four children and moving from state-to-state for post graduate studies at Harvard Medical School in Boston, residency at University of Illinois, Eye & Ear Infirmary and serving as a Captain in the United States Air Force in Omaha. After which, he kept his promise to Roz and brought the family back to Baltimore where he set-up his ophthalmology practice.
Al loved his chosen career and practiced for more than 50 years. Equally so, he was beloved by his patients – unwaveringly attentive, getting to know each patient personally and, caring for multiple generations. He also loved teaching: mentoring ophthalmology residents, and fellows, at Sinai Hospital and Wilmer Eye Institute where he was named Teacher-of-the-Year.
More than his career, Al loved being a father and was committed to spending time as a family and sharing his wisdom. But what brought him happiness above all things was his role as a grandfather. He cherished being ‘Baba’ – the joy his grandkids brought him was as boundless as his love for them.
A curious man who enjoyed learning his entire life, Al pursued interests in literature (especially the Great Books), art of all kinds, travel and genealogy. Later in life he discovered the joy of jewelry-making and studied at Maryland Institute College of Art. One of his great pleasures was creating pieces and gifting them to his family and friends.
Al was a devoted husband, father, father-n-law and grandfather – loving his family and friends fiercely. The room lit up when he walked in. He will be sorely missed.
Services at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at 12:00 pm. Interment Arlington Chizuk Amuno Cemetery. The family kindly requests that only fully vaccinated guests attend funeral and Shiva services in person. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, 101 W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201 or The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218. The family will be observing shiva at 3704 N. Charles Street, #801, Baltimore, MD 21218. Shiva services on Wednesday at 7 pm, Thursday 8:30 am and 7 pm and Friday at 8:30 am. The family will be receiving guests on Thursday and Friday from 1:30 to 4 pm.
Alfred (“Al, Alfie, Baba”) was born on December 15, 1935 and spent nearly his entire life in Baltimore. He studied piano at the Peabody Institute, attended high school at Baltimore City College and graduated from Loyola University. While studying medicine at University of Maryland, at the young age of 24, Al met Roz on a blind date. Marrying just 10 months later, they’ve spent the last 60+ years as the loves of each other's lives and best friends.
Their early years of marriage were busy raising four children and moving from state-to-state for post graduate studies at Harvard Medical School in Boston, residency at University of Illinois, Eye & Ear Infirmary and serving as a Captain in the United States Air Force in Omaha. After which, he kept his promise to Roz and brought the family back to Baltimore where he set-up his ophthalmology practice.
Al loved his chosen career and practiced for more than 50 years. Equally so, he was beloved by his patients – unwaveringly attentive, getting to know each patient personally and, caring for multiple generations. He also loved teaching: mentoring ophthalmology residents, and fellows, at Sinai Hospital and Wilmer Eye Institute where he was named Teacher-of-the-Year.
More than his career, Al loved being a father and was committed to spending time as a family and sharing his wisdom. But what brought him happiness above all things was his role as a grandfather. He cherished being ‘Baba’ – the joy his grandkids brought him was as boundless as his love for them.
A curious man who enjoyed learning his entire life, Al pursued interests in literature (especially the Great Books), art of all kinds, travel and genealogy. Later in life he discovered the joy of jewelry-making and studied at Maryland Institute College of Art. One of his great pleasures was creating pieces and gifting them to his family and friends.
Al was a devoted husband, father, father-n-law and grandfather – loving his family and friends fiercely. The room lit up when he walked in. He will be sorely missed.
Services at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at 12:00 pm. Interment Arlington Chizuk Amuno Cemetery. The family kindly requests that only fully vaccinated guests attend funeral and Shiva services in person. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, 101 W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201 or The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218. The family will be observing shiva at 3704 N. Charles Street, #801, Baltimore, MD 21218. Shiva services on Wednesday at 7 pm, Thursday 8:30 am and 7 pm and Friday at 8:30 am. The family will be receiving guests on Thursday and Friday from 1:30 to 4 pm.