Jules Kann

Jules Kann M.D. Ph.D On Sunday April 23, 2023, Jules passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 13, 1924 in Saarbrucken, Germany to Nathan and Bertha Kann. He and his family immigrated to the United States on January 13, 1939 after escaping Nazi Germany when he was fourteen. He enrolled in Taylor Allderdice High School despite not speaking English, though he learned quickly and even became the editor of the school paper. At age 18 he enlisted in the US Army and, now fluent in four languages, worked as a counterintelligence operative in the European theater. After the war he returned to Pittsburgh and enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa and went on to receive a Doctorate degree in Psychology. Always eager to continue his education, Jules then enrolled in Medical School at the University of Basel and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Miami. He returned to Pittsburgh where he practiced medicine and psychology primarily at Shadyside Hospital until he was 94 years old. He served as the Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at Shadyside Hospital for more than 10 years and was the Medical Director at both BioDecision Laboratories and Keystone Metals. Over his career, he authored and co-authored more than 500 research papers. He had a continued love of learning and insatiable appetite for reading, and would routinely read 4 newspapers daily. He enjoyed lively debates on current events and politics and was always available to share and provoke informed conversations. He was soft spoken with a wonderful sense of humor and kind, gentle demeanor, always giving the benefit of the doubt and believing firmly in second chances. He enjoyed evenings entertaining family and friends at his home. He had a love/hate relationship with electronics, and his only adversarial relationship was with garlic. He was married to the love of his life, Ann, for more than 39 years. They had a wonderful marriage and were inseparable. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his five children Ronald, Maya, Steven, Jeffrey, and Linda, and his two stepchildren Michael and Christopher McKee. He was a loving grandfather to 19 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, and had a very close relationship with his three nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Nathan and Bertha Kann and his brother Kurt. He always boasted proudly that he spoke to his brother every day of his life. This closeness with family was a principle and priority which he valued and imparted to his children; this legacy lives on in a family which now spans three continents but remains as close as ever. Jules overcame incredible odds to create a fulfilling and prosperous life. He was a worldly man who lived life to the fullest, while making sure that his family and community were never left behind. He left us gently, but his memory and legacy will live on in his love for life and family, his voracious curiosity, and his appreciation and gratefulness for the simplest of things. He is remembered and celebrated whenever the unknown is met with an inquisitive spirit, a clever joke, and an open heart. Per the family's request services will remain private.

Jules Kann

May 13, 1924 - April 23, 2023