Lee Lipsenthal passed away on Sept. 20th with metastatic lower esophageal cancer. He was a devoted husband, father, son, and friend. Board certified in internal medicine, Lee served as the medical director of Dean Ornish’s Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, was past president of the Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, (ABIHM,) past board member of Jamba Juice, Institute of HeartMath, and the Institute of Noetic Sciences. More recently he lectured and held workshops all over the U.S. and Europe to help medical students, physicians, and other health care professionals find their own balance in a medical life.
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The love of his family and professional life was rivaled only by his passion for music. Lee loved to sit and listen to his wide array of albums, CD’s. He thought the greatest invention was the I-pod because he could carry thousands of his favorite albums and songs with him wherever he went. But his happy place was going to live shows and dancing along with all his music idols, watching and hearing intricate riffs on guitars. His eclectic musical taste included the Blues, Rock and Roll, Jazz, Bluegrass, Country, Pop, Rap, Punk, Classical, Folk, Hip Hop, Reggae, World music, Funk, Heavy metal, Gospel, and on and on.

Because he felt these musicians provided so many hours of enjoyment, he wanted to give back, especially to those who were not able to profit from their art. When called upon, Lee selflessly helped many musicians with their health problems and questions, treating sick patients pro bono, and helping some obtain medications for their chronic conditions when they couldn’t afford them.

In honor of Lee and his passion for music Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is accepting contributions to our San Francisco Bay Area Musicians Fund.  Please include Lee’s name in the dedication when donating online or within the memo section if donating by check.  Please share your thoughts and memories of Lee with us on our contact page – we will post some of them here.