Herbert Weiner, professor emeritus at UCLA’s David Geffen
School of Medicine, died Nov. 12 of lung cancer at his home in
Encino. He was 81.
Weiner was a psychiatry professor at UCLA from 1982 up until his
retirement last year. He wrote a number of books as well as
training programs, and trained post-doctorate fellows in various
scientific fields.
Weiner, who was considered by colleagues to be a pioneer and one
of the leading researchers in the field of psychosomatic medicine,
was recognized for his contributions on a national and
international level.
Born in Vienna, Austria and educated at both Harvard University
and Columbia, Weiner worked for a decade as the editor for
“Psychosomatic Medicine”, a prominent journal in the
field.
Michael Irwin, a UCLA professor who was one of Weiner’s
colleagues at the Neuropsychiatric Institute, said Weiner had a
special gift for teaching and always challenged people to think and
ask questions.
“The day that I walked into his office nearly 16 years ago
… (Weiner) sat down with me and he says, “˜if you want to do
big things you have to think big questions and you have to tackle
big problems,'” Irwin said. “And that kind of
sums up what Herb was about.”
NPI professor Thomas Newton described him as
“no-nonsense.”
Richard Weiner, the late professor’s son, said his father
was dedicated and passionate about his work. He said over the last
few months Weiner’s students visited his home ““ even
while the professor was immobile and on oxygen ““ because of
the high esteem in which they held him.
“(They came) because they had great affection for him but
also because they were still eager for his wisdom,” Richard
said.
He also said that days before his father’s death his
father published the last of 200 papers.
Richard said his father worked hard to ensure that his three
sons pursued all of their own diverse interests and dreams.
“As a father … he was interested in what interested us,
and that allowed us to follow our own stars,” Richard
said.
He said the family did a lot of traveling together because his
father wanted them to appreciate the world through their own
experiences.
Herbert Weiner was married to his wife, Dora, for 49 years. Dora
said the two met in New York through mutual friends, who thought
she and Weiner were absolutely right for each other.
“I took one look at him ““ he just came from Aspen
and had what we call an “Aspen glow” on his face – and
I said, “˜that’s the man for me.'”¦ Three
months later we were married,” Dora said.
Dora said she and her husband traveled all over Europe,
particularly to France, Italy and Spain. She said because her
husband was always interested in her history research, he would
always choose historic hotels during their travels.
Dora added that Weiner loved skiing and was a rock-climber in
his younger days. She said he also loved to cook and was a great
chef.
“His favorite dish? Chocolate mousse with swiss chocolate
… he liked butterfly lamb, poached salmon and good wine,”
she said.
Weiner is survived by his wife and his two other sons, Tony and
Tim. He is also survived by his sister and seven grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Weiner’s family requests that
contributions be sent with a note titled “Weiner Award”
to the Herbert Weiner Early Career Award, c/o the American
Psychosomatic Society, 6728 Old McLean Village Drive, Mclean, VA.,
22101-3906.