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Squash and the Celebration of a Wonderful Life: Kenneth Bloom, MB BCH
One can tell a good deal about an individual as a result of weekly encounters on a squash court, especially when played over a period of almost 20 years! Skill, fairness, consideration, fierce determination to win and overriding all, the joy of simply playing the game, were all hallmarks of Kenneth Bloom. It was my good fortune to share such experiences with this wonderful individual shortly after his arrival in San Antonio, Texas in the 1980’s. As fellow transplanted Witsies (he at medical school and I in the sciences) we also shared a love of music and childhood experiences growing up in Johannesburg. Thankfully, our families also enjoyed interacting on many social occasions: discussions of current events with Kenneth and wife Sheila Swartsman were yet another delight: always lively, stimulating and so worthwhile! Kenneth’s excellence on the squash court was only one manifestation of his approach to life in general: considerate of others, knowledgeable and always informed. Friends in San Antonio would often approach my family with requests to intercede in securing medical appointments with Dr. Bloom, since his renown in the community as a superb clinician resulted in backlogs of appointments. After years of exhilarating contests on the squash court ,stimulating discussions of life, government and how fortunate we all had been, I left San Antonio for an opportunity in Pennsylvania. News of Kenneth’s death was a dreadful reminder of the inexorable passage of time, but I count my years of being with Kenneth and his family as a priceless gift---an experience never to be forgotten of an individual who made a significant contribution to improving the lives of others.
Roger McCarter Ph.D
Professor Emeritus
The Pennsylvania State University.
Written 15th November, 2022
Submitted by Sheila Swartzman, Kenneth's wife.
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Jack Hoffmann
Kenneth Bloom (1943-2022)Dr Kenneth Roland Bloom (MBBCh 1965) aged 79, died on 3 November 2022, at home in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by his family.
Dr Bloom was born in South Africa on 12 July 1943, to Grace Widman and Cecil Bloom. He attended the King Edward School and obtained his medical degree at Wits. He married Dr Sheila Swartzman (MBBCh 1966) on 4 December 1966. In 1972, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio for a fellowship in paediatric cardiology. In 1974, the family relocated to Canada where he joined the faculty of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.Kenneth Bloom
In 1979, the family immigrated a final time to San Antonio, Texas, where Dr Bloom became chief, paediatric cardiology and director of the Non-Invasive Laboratories at the Brooke Army Medical Center. In 1982, he was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal by Executive Order for his service. From there he opened his private practice, Paediatric Cardiology Associates, where he worked for four decades, helping hundreds of children, and often their children, in San Antonio and throughout Texas. He retired from medicine in 2013, exiting his practice with a can of Diet Dr Pepper in place of a gold watch.
Throughout his life in San Antonio, he and his wife were enthusiastic advocates for the city's vibrant classical music community. They actively supported the Chamber Music Society, of which Dr Bloom served as president, the San Antonio Philharmonic, the Youth Orchestra, the Houston Grand Opera, and just about every local classical music group they could. This brought endless joy to him.
Dr Bloom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sheila, their children Dianne Bloom and Robert Bloom, and his wife Rachel Griffiths, grandsons Dominick and Heath, his older brother Martin Bloom and his wife Nadia, as well as numerous extended family members and lifelong friends across the globe. And last of all his dog Molly, with whom he took five-mile walks every day.
Source: San Antonio Express-News