“His family is deeply touched by his perseverance, strength, wisdom, and courage, especially through his crippling battle with cancer.” ~ family of Dr. Dobken
Area asthma, allergy and immunology doctor, Jeffrey Hall Dobken, MD, MPH, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, Oct. 26, after a six-year battle with multiple myeloma. He was 77.
Jeffrey would be described by many as a renaissance man of the highest caliber — doctor, certified bioethicist, professor, writer, public health expert, lifelong athlete and ultramarathon runner.
Loving father, husband, brother and healer… A true intellect and community leader, Dr. Dobken’s Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Practice, ‘The Respiratory Group,’ is where he poured his heart and soul, caring for the beloved residents of Monmouth County (and beyond, some traveling two hours each way, weekly) for 35+ years.
He was a deeply caring, kind, and witty physician who is accredited with saving a number of lives. His thorough attention to detail and desire to heal left his patients feeling fulfilled and deeply attached.
Nothing stopped him from doing
the right thing.He extended the same compassion and wisdom to his family …
Loved ones of Dr. Jeffrey Dobken in his obituary
A lover of good pranks, music, animals, athletics, and academia, he pursued his passion in running and medicine until the day he could no longer.”
Born the son of Alma and Jerome Dobken, Jeffrey grew up in Teaneck.
In 1966 after completing his undergrad at the University of Virginia, his journey would continue on to Medical School at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, Cornell University (post-doctorate in Immunology/Allergy), Columbia Physicians & Surgeons School of Medical Humanities (post-doctorate in Bioethics), and New York Medical College, where he received his graduate degree in Medicine (M.D.) in 1973 and his Masters in Public Health in 2014.
He taught at Cornell, Manhattanville, and NYMC, producing publications as a contributing writer for more than 30 years, a teaching course in Environmental Law, and a 30-plus year contributor on the Committee of Biomedical Ethics for the Medical Society of NJ.
Starting a medical practice in Ridgefield Park, he and his wife Denise began to build a community of loyal patients. His love of running and watersports brought them to Red Bank and Little Silver, where the practice remained until 2015.
“Running was Dr. Dobken’s way of existing. As an ultramarathoner, he crafted a life in which he ran to decompress, stay grounded, and practice what he preached: preventative care and treatment dedicated to a sports medicine approach to wellness. In his lifetime, he ran over 100 marathons and over 20 ultras. His commitment to exercise and wellness allowed him to fight as strongly as he did.“
Loved ones of Dr. Dobken in his obituary
He is survived by: his wife, Denise; children, Joshua and Rachel; his sisters, Marney and her husband John Damis, and Stefany and her husband Simon Bergson; and nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will take place on Friday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery, 456 Route 35, Red Bank, 732-747-1710. The family will be sitting Shiva at their residence after. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Temple of Beth Miriam, 180 Lincoln Ave, Elberon, NJ, 07740.
— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home
You must be logged in to post a comment.