Longtime Princeton resident and retired physician Arthur “Art” Fein died on 1/17/21 at age 89.
Art was born in Newark to Jan and Sophie Fein, a studio photographer and a colorist. Art attended Stuyvesant High School in NYC until his senior year when he moved with his family to Miami Beach where he graduated from Miami Beach Senior High. He went on to graduate from The University of Florida, where he met his future wife, Harriet. He attended medical school at Wake Forest, where he graduated #1 in his class. He did his radiology residency at Johns Hopkins.
Art joined Princeton Radiology in 1963, and remained there 41 years. Art chaired the department for 30 years (which grew from 4 to 40 physicians) and was president of Princeton Medical Center for 2 years. Physicians and staff alike commented that he was a great leader, a mentor, a friend and an outstanding physician. Art loved being a physician and often said he never “worked” a day in his life.
Art absolutely cherished Harriet. Their lifelong love affair, mutual respect, and teamwork have served as a model for each of their children’s long and happy marriages. They nurtured and enjoyed close long-term friendships.
To all who knew him – friends, family, coworkers – he was the epitome of a “mensch” and was loved and respected, not just for his many accomplishments, but for his kindness, his ability to listen and lend a hand, and to connect with practically anyone. He had a zest for life, a wonderful sense of humor, and was a true adventurer. Art’s insatiable curiosity led him to travel the world with Harriet, often to lesser explored destinations, always returning with spectacular photos and stories. Art was an eternal optimist whose ready smile and playful nature were incredibly endearing. He delighted when engaging with his family, especially during the summers when the family would gather in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Art’s close extended family was very important to him, and he enjoyed all the gatherings over the years, especially Thanksgiving and Passover with the cousins.
Following retirement in 2004, Art’s thirst for knowledge led him to take a variety of interesting and challenging courses at Princeton. Art and Harriet were long time members of the Princeton Jewish Center. After spending 50 years at their home in Princeton, Art and Harriet moved to Windrows 5 years ago where many of their long-term friends resided.
Art leaves behind his wife of almost 69 years, Harriet, three children and their spouses: Rick and Jackie Fein (Mission Viejo, CA.); Doug and Debbie Fein (Chapel Hill, NC); and Karen and Paul Kelly (Princeton). He was a loving and devoted grandfather to Jarrett, Micaela, and Naomi Fein and Skylar, Jillian, and Colton Kelly. Art also leaves behind his sister Ellen Shishko, nieces and nephews, many cousins and close friends.
In Art’s later years he often ended conversations with his children and grandchildren with one of his mantras, “Enjoy Life.” He recently said, “I lived the life I wanted. No regrets.”
He will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Art’s favorite charities: Doctors without Borders, Feeding America, or the Sierra Club.