Robert (M.) Greenstein

Dr. Robert M. Greenstein, 80 years of age, of Avon, CT, passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Arlene (Rosenberg) Greenstein. Born in New York, NY, he was the son of the late Nathan and Sara (Gold) Greenstein. Dr. Greenstein had a hand in virtually everything that influenced the current and future health of Genetics in the State of Connecticut and beyond: caring for patients, supervising genetic counselors, training residents and fellows, supporting the cytogenetics and molecular laboratories, managing and leading programs and grants, lobbying the state legislature, working with the newborn screening lab, and serving within local support groups. He dedicated his career to delivering compassionate care to individuals and families affected by genetic conditions, teaching and training the next generation(s) of medical geneticists, and enthusiastically bringing the power of genetic and genomic knowledge to the public. His formal medical training started at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. While completing his internship and residency in Pediatrics at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center in New York, he honed his cytogenetics skills working part time in Dr. Harold Klinger’s laboratory at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His dedication to formal and informal “service” included a position as Captain in the US Air Force as Chief of Pediatrics at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. Following this, he realigned himself toward his interest in growing field of Medical Genetics, completing a post-doctoral fellowship in Human Genetics and Birth Defects in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University. His 45 year career in Genetics at the University of Connecticut began when Dr. Milton Markowitz, the first Chairman of the fledgling Department of Pediatrics, recruited him to build a Genetics Division. During his career at UConn, his roles included director of the cytogenetics lab and genetic counseling services, pediatrics residency director, associate and acting Chairman, and director of the Medical Genetics Residency program. He was involved in teaching the Human Genetics course for UConn Medical students and made opportunities for learning in his clinics available to any interested student. A fierce advocate for individuals with disabilities, he was involved for many years with the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress. A Greenstein scholarship was awarded to students pursuing a postgraduate degree in a field that will benefit individuals with Down syndrome. On April 29, 2009, as he transitioned toward retirement, his legacy was honored by M. Jodi Rell, the Governor of the State of Connecticut, who proclaimed that day Dr. Robert Greenstein Day. Despite his unfortunate passing, Dr. Greenstein’s passion for genetics and its future remains strong, as does his legacy. Dr. Greenstein was known by family, friends and colleagues for his humor, humility, work ethic, compassion, optimism and empathy. An avid fly fisherman, Dr. Greenstein spent countless hours fishing along the Farmington River, Canada and the Bahamas. Dr. Greenstein was also an accomplished tennis player, regularly winning numerous tennis tournaments at the Farmington Valley Racket Club when he was in his prime. In addition to his wife, Robert is survived by his daughter Suzanne Greenstein of West Hartford, CT; his son, Daniel M Greenstein and his daughter in-law Heather (Smith) Greenstein of West Hartford, CT; his sister, Nancy Batterman of Scarsdale, NY and his two beloved grandchildren, Maxwell and Mazie Greenstein.

A Memorial service will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, August 3, 2018 in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT with Rabbi Rebekah Mag-Goldman officiating. Dr. Greenstein’s family will be receiving guests at 10:30am. A luncheon will take place immediately following the service, with the location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut (www.mydsact.org/donate/). For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Robert, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.