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Dr. (COL.) Bernard Lowenstein (Ret.), a veteran of the U.S. Army, 94, passed away June 26, 2002. Born in 1908, Dr. Lowenstein was raised in Manhattan, New York. He then went on to go to medical school at University of California in Berkley/San Francisco, obtaining his M.D. in 1933 and joining the U.S. Army Medical Reserve as a First Lieutenant, with his devoted wife, Bonnie, who devotedly supported him. Wishing to go into obstetrics he applied for one of seven positions nationwide that year in the Corps. Unfortunately, he was not awarded one of the positions, instead becoming a physician with the Civilian Conservation Corps. While in that position, he was assigned to posts in northern California, Montana, and southwest Utah. He then joined the US Indian Service in 1936 and was assigned to the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota for 2 years. In 1938 he was transferred to the Indian Hospital in Rapid City and obtained comprehensive training in pulmonary/chest medicine, which would then become his ultimate specialty. In 1941 he was recalled to active duty going to Randolph Field in San Antonio for flight surgeon training. In 1942 he came to Albuquerque, then on to Glendale, Arizona, Italy, Corsica, Frank and Germany. In 1946, as a Lt. Colonel he left active duty and rejoined the USIS in Shawnee, Oklahoma. In 1952, another career choice brought him back to Albuquerque to the VA Medical Center. He was with the VAMC as a chest/pulmonary specialist until 1966 when he chose to retire because the VA denied 2 months off for a cruise he and his wife had long cherished. Upon returning he joined the staff at University Medical School and was contracted back to the VA as a Chest Film Specialist until health problems forced him to retire again in 1988. His wife, Bonnie, preceded him in death in 1992. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Cremation has taken place and services are not planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112, where he and his wife were avid members. Hillcrest Funeral Home 225 San Mateo NE 265-5959
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