By Ellen Braunstein
Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Lee Nussbaum believed in healing not just through medicine but through kindness, humor and a steady sense of right and wrong.
The Louisville, Kentucky, native — who dedicated decades to cardiology, pharmaceutical research and caring for those around him — died on July 10 in Langhorne. He was 74.
“My father lived by a deep moral compass and consistently put others before himself,” said his son Michael Nussbaum, whose parents and their three children moved to Pennsylvania 27 years ago. “He didn’t think about himself; he always thought about other people.”
Born on Jan. 24, 1951, to Harry and Mildred Cohen Nussbaum, Larry grew up in Louisville in a home rooted in Jewish values. His childhood revolved around the local JCC, where he played tennis, swam with friends and volunteered at events. One of his favorite stories to tell was how Elvis Presley once performed at a JCC fundraiser.
“Larry’s Jewish identity was a quiet but steady presence in our family life,” recalled his wife, Mary Kirby Nussbaum. The family joined Shir Ami when they moved to Newtown. “It was important to him.”
Nussbaum attended the University of Louisville and was accepted into the School of Medicine. He later trained at the Department of Internal Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine and completed a cardiology fellowship at St. Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.
His career began in private practice, where his dedication to patients often clashed with the time constraints of modern medicine.
“He would get in trouble for spending too much time with each patient,” Mary Nussbaum said. “He’d say, ‘I can’t just rush through this. People need me to really listen.’”
She remembered that patients would sometimes leave vegetables or food on their porch to thank him for his care.
Challenged by health issues, including Crohn’s disease, Nussbaum eventually transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry, where he helped oversee the development and safety of cardiovascular medications and other drugs.
Even in corporate settings, his principles remained clear. “He was never willing to fudge a number or push a drug if he didn’t believe in it,” Michael Nussbaum said. “He always made sure that what he was doing had a real benefit to people’s lives.”
His life was defined by a readiness to act for others, even when it required extraordinary effort. When his son Johnathan was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age eight, Nussbaum traveled the country in search of the right surgeon.
“He wouldn’t settle for anything less than a complete cure,” Johnathan Nussbaum said. “He found a doctor at New York University who was willing to do the complicated surgery, and that saved my life.”
Even strangers felt the reach of Nussbaum’s generosity. Mary recalled a morning walk in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, when they came across a man struggling to button his shirt.
“Larry stopped, dressed him properly and then quietly slipped some cash into his hand so he could buy breakfast,” she said. “He didn’t even hesitate.”
Michael Nussbaum recalled that his father valued character above all else. He cared more about doing good for others than any career accomplishment.
While Nussbaum’s compassion defined him, his humor was equally enduring. He often exchanged jokes with his close friend Howard Solomon, and Mary Nussbaum described their banter as steeped in classic Jewish humor.
“He loved to make people laugh,” she said. “His laughter really lit up the room.”
His children recalled how he used humor to bring perspective, even in difficult times. “He had a good sense of humor, and even when things were serious, he always found a way to lighten the mood,” Johnathan Nussbaum said.
Nussbaum’s Jewish faith was not strictly observant, but it was deeply felt. He grew up attending a Conservative synagogue and, as an adult, made sure his children experienced Jewish life alongside Mary’s Catholic traditions.
The family, including daughter Sarah Nussbaum, went to Shir Ami for High Holiday services. He also hosted Passover Seders with an emphasis on storytelling and connection.
“My father had these two silver candlesticks,” Michael Nussbaum said. “He used them to teach us the importance of our Jewish heritage. He would tell us about our ancestors and remind us that Jewish history is full of resilience.”
Nussbaum supported Jewish causes, contributing to organizations like the Jewish National Fund. His giving extended beyond formal donations; he quietly helped fund medical expenses for friends and volunteered at a soup kitchen when staffing was short.
In retirement, Nussbaum faced the challenges of Parkinson’s disease with courage. He spent his time with family, traveling with Mary to places like Italy and France, and enjoying simple moments at home.
Johnathan Nussbaum said his father always reminded him, “Do the best you can, and be kind. That’s what matters.”
Nussbaum’s impact as a healer, mentor and father will live on through the lives he touched.
As Michael Nussbaum put it, “His moral compass was unwavering. He was the most selfless man I’ve ever known.”
Ellen Braunstein is a freelance writer.