Harvey Thalblum passed away peacefully on Feb. 4 at home, surrounded by his family and his dogs.
Harvey was a giant of a man in a 5-foot, 7-inch frame. His parents, Nettie and Eddie Thalblum, immigrated to the United States in the 1920s from different parts of Eastern Europe. They met and married after arriving, lived in the Bronx like so many Jewish immigrants of their day, and soon had a daughter, Norma. In 1939, 11 years later, they welcomed a baby boy, Harvey, and then moved to North Miami Beach, where Harvey grew up.
His father was a butcher with his own store, and Harvey often worked there. His favorite days were Saturdays, when he would make a huge sandwich at the store and take it to the cinema. He could watch movies back to back all day long. His love of film started early. His father went to the movies to learn English, and Harvey went with him. He was sure he had seen every western by the time he was five.
Harvey attended the University of Miami and then went to medical school at the University of Florida. There, he met the love of his life and his wife of 61 years, Donna, a beautiful southern belle from Jacksonville, Florida, who was a nurse at the hospital. He first approached her with a line about her long eyelashes — unfortunately, he had used the same line on one of her roommates the day before. Thankfully, Donna saw past the faux pas to his true potential. They were married in 1965.
Following an internship in Charlotte, North Carolina, Harvey began service in the United States Navy in Long Beach, California. He completed his residency at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, after a tour at sea in the South Pacific. Their first son, Todd, was born there; Brian was born three years later in Florida.
After the Navy, Harvey accepted a position in radiology at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Harvey was always going to be a doctor — his mother wanted it that way — and he was a great one. He chose radiology so he wouldn’t actually have to see patients, just their shadows. He liked to joke that he didn’t really like people, but he was beloved by colleagues and staff for his gentleness, kindness and respect for everyone.
Harvey had the rational, logical brain needed for radiology, which also served him well in card games, trivia and puzzles — though he didn’t much like games, even though he won. You always wanted him as your partner. He excelled at crosswords, Scrabble and Sudoku, and he had a remarkable 97% Wordle win percentage.
But Harvey also had a creative soul. He drew artwork that still hangs in his home, wove blankets for his grandchildren and made a tallit for his son. He was an avid reader, finishing a book or two each week. He loved theater, musicals and movies, kept up with what was worth seeing or reading and saw nearly all of it. And he could dance — really dance — making anyone lucky enough to dance with him look good.
He was thoughtful, kind and generous, becoming even more so over the years, thanks in no small part to Donna. He found strength in his people and his community and was a devoted member and leader at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah for more than 50 years. He served on its board and was especially proud to be part of the committee that brought Rabbi Stephanie Kramer to Kansas City.
Harvey also loved to travel. He and Donna went everywhere — Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, both Americas and Israel three times. He traveled by plane, cruise ship, river boat, dog sled and even the back seat of a fighter jet. He skied mountains, walked beaches and once walked across the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He saw every place he wanted to see.
He lived a wonderful, beautiful life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the General Endowment Fund at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, or to a charity of your choice.
Harvey is preceded in death by his parents, Nettie and Eddie; his sister, Norma; and his son Brian. He is survived by his wife, Donna; his son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Sabrina; his grandchildren, Noah, Gabriella, Tyler and Samantha; and his beloved shih tzus, Speedo and Buttons.
May his memory be a blessing.