Dr. Jeffery Penso passed away on March 12, 2020 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was a very active member of the community before his illness, and will be remembered by his friends at the YMCA, his medical colleagues and his compadres at Walk With a Doc.
Dr. Penso was born November 6, 1944 in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Stuyvesant High School, and Brooklyn College, and attended medical school at Down State in New York. He was a long time member of Temple Akiba and served there as an usher.
Penso was an immensely successful and popular pediatrician, and had estimated caring for between 8,000 and 10,000 patients during his medical career.
He and his wife Rebecca, an artist and retired resource teacher, loved to travel and visited many countries, including multiple trips to Cuba with a Jewish humanitarian foundation.
He is survived by his wife, his three sons, Josh Penso, David Penso and Daniel Penso, his daughter-in-law Kwanchawok ‘Wayo’ Penso and his two granddaughters, Jennifer and Keiko Penso.
The funeral will be private, and there will be a memorial service announced at a later date.
Judith Martin-Straw
I am deeply saddened to hear this news. Dr. Jeff was a friend, my kids pediatrician, a public health leader, generous and active community member. He will be deeply missed. Comfort to his wife, children, family and friends.
So sorry to hear of Dr Penso’s passing. He was our pediatrician for several years, and helped us through some difficult times. He was a wonderful doctor
Our family got to know Dr. Penso as he was the Pediatrician for both our kids. I was pleased to encounter him again through Walk with a Doc. I was unaware of his illness, and therefore was quite surprised to learn of his passing.
From all of us at Walk with a Doc Headquarters in Ohio, we are truly sorry for the loss. Dr. Penso was a very early adopter of the program and we’re so thankful for his incredible leadership over the years. We’re confident that he has inspired many people outside of Culver City.
Jeff was a dear friend and colleague and a gem of a human being. I will always remember his kindness and big heart for people. I am so lucky to have known him and will always keep him in my heart.
Dr. Penso was a very talented and dedicated individual. He was focused on being a great Pediatrician and an exceptional individual.
I am so very sorry to learn such a wonderful pediatrician and generous man has died. I consider it is a great gift that Dr. Penso hired me to work in his office, circa 1981-83, as a medical assistant. I witnessed his expertise, outstanding clinical skills, dedication, wonderful humor and compassion as he cared for his patients, the medical students he trained and his staff. I send heartfelt condolences and prayers to Rebecca and his family and give thanks everyday for the excellent care he gave to my son and so many others. May his soul rest in perfect peace.