Dr. Gary Geoffrey Berger Obituary (1957 - 2014)

Dr. Gary Berger, 56, Leawood, KS, passed away following a sudden illness, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 26, noon, at Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave. The burial will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers as the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society. Gary was a prominent Kansas City area physician and leader in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. He received his Bachelor of Science from Temple University in 1979, his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1983, and served his residency at Temple University Hospital. He was certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (FAAPMR). Gary came to Kansas City with his family in 1992 to serve as the medical director of the Rehabilitation department at Menorah Medical Center. Under his leadership, the department has consistently been ranked in the top 10 percent of rehab departments nationally. In addition to Menorah, Gary was a member of the medical staffs at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Research Medical Center, and Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital. He was a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American Medical Association, holding medical licenses in both Kansas and Missouri. Gary lived for his family and patients, showing compassion and empathy well beyond the norm. His focus was on the entire person, not just their condition. He gave 100 percent and worked many miracles throughout his career. He was highly respected by his colleagues in all fields of medicine and he was the immediate past-president of the medical staff of Menorah Medical Center. In addition to being a very successful and busy professional, he was also a devoted family man and his family always came first. He was a loving husband, father, brother, son, and friend. He was a longtime former member of Congregation Beth Shalom. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Florence (Schwartz) Berger; brother, Alan Berger; and first wife, Helayne Berger. He is survived by his wife, Randi Berger; children: Joel Berger, Melissa Berger, and Hayley Berger; sisters and brothers-in-law: Andi and Mike Wildman, Overland Park, KS, and Sheri and Gregg Feldscher, Shamong, NJ; sister-in-law, Lynn Berger, Bensalem, PA; and nieces and nephews.