Ira died Oct. 9, 2013, in Seoul, Korea, from complications of a hip fracture that he suffered while on an overnight stop en route to Cambodia.
Ira came to Princeton from Hillside (N.J.) High School. At Princeton he majored in English while preparing for a career in medicine. His thesis topic was “Elements of the Biblical Job Theme in English Literature.” He also worked on the Student Christian Association committee, which made weekly visits to the New Jersey Diagnostic Center to provide diagnostic services for children with neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders.
After Princeton, Ira graduated from the University of Pennsylvania medical school, interned at Yale, and took a residency in psychiatry at Columbia. In New York City he practiced psychiatry, was senior attending psychiatrist at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Medical Center, and taught psychiatry at Columbia
In 1988, having fulfilled his goals, he said he “abandoned the stimulating, frenetic, high-energy lifestyle of New York” and moved to Southern California. From there, he practiced psychiatry and indulged his hobby of painting and love of travel, exploring the historic and beautiful places on the planet.
He is survived by his life partner, Paul Martin; several cousins; and many friends. The class extends sincere sympathy to them.