Lasting Memories

Mike Turbow
July 8, 1939-Feb. 3, 2022
Palo Alto, California

Myron (Mike) Turbow, beloved and admired husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, died on Thursday, Feb. 3, of T-cell lymphoma. He was known affectionately by family and friends as “Tubby” (Grandpa Tubby, Uncle Tubby, Doctor Tubby), a nickname he acquired as a child, which he relished as a term of endearment.

He was born on July 8, 1939, in Los Angeles, to Miriam and Maurice Turbow. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School, Stanford University, and UCSF Medical School. He met his wife, Ellen, when they were Stanford undergraduates at Stanford-in-Germany in 1960; they were married in 1963. Their shared experience abroad led to a lifelong love of travel. Of their far-flung trips around the globe, Mike’s favorite was rafting through the Grand Canyon down the Colorado River, a “spiritual experience” he repeated three times.

Mike practiced oncology for more than 40 years, treating patients with cancer and helping them and their families come to terms with this disease. Ironically, he contracted a rare cancer for which treatment is rarely successful.

Mike was passionate about many things, three of which stand out. First is his love for the traditions of Judaism and the importance of passing them to the next generation. Second is education about the process of death and dying, and the impact of dementia on families. He spoke widely on end-of-life issues, and was a successful advocate for the passage of the End of Life Option Act in California. He was the founder of California Cancer Care in San Mateo. Concurrent with his medical practice, he was also medical director of Pathways Hospice and medical consultant to Bay Area Cancer Connections. Finally is his love for his second home— his “little corner of paradise” — in Carmel, which went hand in hand with the maintenance and preservation of Carmel River State Beach.

Mike spoke to many audiences about medical aid in dying, citing his own philosophy: “If I can’t be me, I don’t want to be.” He practiced what he preached, and chose to utilize medical aid in dying before lymphoma could strip him of the elements he found essential to a life well lived. Mike was preceded in death by his son, Matthew. He is survived by Ellen, his wife of 58 years, his son Jason, his daughter-in-law Laura, his granddaughter Mozi and grandson Reuben, his sister Jackie Gottlieb, and brother Sherwyn Turbow. Funeral services have been held.