Milton Hurwitz made house calls, friends

The cardiologist inspired devotion among his patients, was a fantastic fundraiser for United Hospital.

By CHEN MAY YEE, Star Tribune

Last update: October 22, 2009 - 8:32 PM

Milton Mayer Hurwitz, a cardiologist who became a fundraising force for United Hospital, died Wednesday at his home in St. Paul.

He was 91.

Hurwitz was an old-school physician of the type who made house calls -- even in the middle of the night. He inspired such devotion among his patients that they would call him with problems, even if they weren't medical.

He went to college and medical school at the University of Minnesota and trained at Minneapolis General Hospital, Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He started treating patients at the old Charles T. Miller Hospital in St. Paul, and when it merged with St. Luke's Hospital in 1972 he became a pillar of the organization that emerged, United Hospital.

From 1945 to 1990 he was in private practice in St. Paul. His patients included Walter Mondale before he became U.S. vice president, said Duke Adamski, president of United Hospital Foundation.

Hurwitz met his future wife, Eunice, on a blind date in 1946, and they married the same year.

On weekends, Hurwitz took his two young daughters on rounds in the hospital, treating them to lunch at the cafeteria. Everywhere they went, his daughters recalled, people came up and threw their arms around Hurwitz, reminding him how he had cared for a father or mother or brother.

He served on the boards of the Minnesota Medical Foundation, United Jewish Fund and Council, Mount Zion Temple and Sholom Residence, among others.

He was not only known as an excellent physician but also as a formidable fundraiser for United.

"People said if you were invited to have lunch with Milt Hurwitz at the Lexington, it's going to be the most expensive lunch you ever had," Adamski said.

Some of those lunches included John Nasseff, a former West Publishing executive and longtime friend.

Years earlier, Nasseff had suffered a massive heart attack at a Las Vegas casino. Hurwitz, who happened to be there, told paramedics what to do. Nasseff later became the hospital's biggest donor, giving millions to help build the John Nasseff Heart Hospital, the John Nasseff Neuroscience Institute and the Milton M. Hurwitz ExerCare Fitness Center.

"How could I say no?" asked Nasseff, who was with Hurwitz when he died on Wednesday. "The man saved my life."

In addition to his wife, Hurwitz is survived by daughters Carol Hurwitz and Helaine Golden; two granddaughters, and two great-granddaughters.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Mount Zion Temple, 1300 Summit Av., St. Paul.

Chen May Yee 612-673-7434

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