Obituaries Santa Barbara, Dr. Richard Berkman, MD, Anesthesiologist, Back Pain, Medicine, a concert pianist, and handball player.
In Memoriam of DR. Richard Berkman (Handball Player and Concert Pianist)
Richard passed away last Saturday at Buena Vista Care Center. I believe he was 72 years old. Richard was my friend and fellow handball player. Richard was also a very accomplished handball player and boy did Richard love handball. The handball guys called him Doc. He was always willing to help out his fellow handball players and usually, he would have a good joke to tell after a match. He was always a gentleman on the handball court. His favorite handball serve was from the right side. He would underhand a high lob serve to the left corner. And boy, was a very tough serve. Richard always talked about Del Mora a fellow 15-time national handball champion and friend. The last week/time I visited Richard he told me that “Del is a warrior.” When Brian M and myself visited him in the rest home 1 week before he died he said he wanted a Big Mac and fries… which we got him.
Dr. Berkman specialized in back pain. Many years ago when I was having problems with my back he helped me out quite a bit. Thanks, Doc.
Richard was also a fine concert pianist and has played at UCSB concert hall and other venues. He was also a member of the Santa Barbara Music Club.
Richard also loved chocolate, plain dark chocolate with NO nuts and McDonalds.
We will all miss you, Richard.