Obituary: Dr. Stephen Margolis

Dr. Stephen Margolis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully in Atlanta at the age of 83.

Stephen was born in New York City on April 2, 1941, the sixth child of Adolph and Esther Margolis. Growing up in New York, he spent many summers as a lifeguard and attended Ten Mile River Scout Camp, where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Stephen attended Yeshiva College, and later received his medical and research training from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Sloan Kettering Cornell University School of Medicine, where his PhD in pharmacology and thesis research led to important drug development.

Stephen served as the Associate Dean at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York, where he developed a unique intensive program that helped minority students succeed in medical school. This accomplishment led to an invitation from Atlanta’s Morehouse College to assist in establishing a new medical school, prompting his family’s move to Atlanta in the summer of 1976. Later, he was recruited to the CDC and Emory University during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. Stephen’s professional fulfillment came from the significant impact he could make on population-level health. His work embodied the big picture of public health: HIV prevention in Africa and the Caribbean, the establishment of the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and many other important initiatives.

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Stephen was also a prolific author, co-writing a textbook on pharmacology and therapeutics in emergency care with his nephew, Jonathan Wasserberger, MD. In retirement, Stephen enjoyed serving as a docent at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, where he led engaging tours and shared many of his favorite stories about CDC’s history, advancements in science, and public health. His tours captivated visitors and often ran well beyond their scheduled time.

While Stephen was passionate about his work, his greatest love was his family, who were the center of his world. He was a loving husband to Rhoda, whom he married in 1964, and together, they became parents of twins, Jessica and Andrew. Jessica and Thaddeus Wright are parents to Alden and Isaac, and Andrew and the former Heather Goldsmith are parents to Juliana and Lilly.

Stephen was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, always ready to support his children and grandchildren. Left alone with his twin three-year-olds, he would lie on the floor, letting the children cover him with bandages and shaving cream. He was the one who would sneak sweets when Rhoda was trying to find healthy options, and he willingly rose before dawn to go fishing, no matter how dark or cold the mornings were. As his children and grandchildren grew, so did his capacity for love and devotion. He could never say “no.”

Stephen had many interests and was incredibly handy whether it was home improvement projects or building tree houses for his grandchildren, he could do it all. He was also an avid photographer and woodworker, crafting a beautiful heirloom cradle for his grandchildren and music boxes for his family. Stephen and Rhoda shared a love of collecting folk art and extensive traveling. Their adventures included trekking in Australia and New Zealand, hiking through Italy and the Czech Republic, camping in the Sahara, photographing wildlife on safaris through Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, visiting Iceland, and cruising the rivers throughout Europe. Many of these trips were shared with lifelong cherished friends, and along the way, Stephen formed new lasting friendships, entertaining others with his wit and remarkable sense of humor.

Stephen was known for his generosity and commitment. Together, he and Rhoda made supporting their grandchildren a top priority, leaving a legacy of love and dedication.

Stephen will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Rhoda; his two children, Jessica and Andrew; their spouses, Thaddeus Wright and Heather Margolis; his four grandchildren; and a host of adoring friends, all of whom were touched by his warmth, humor, and remarkable life.

Stephen and Rhoda were members of Ahavath Achim Synagogue for over 40 years and, more recently, of The Temple in Atlanta. Burial will be private. For information regarding the Shiva and a livestream of the service, please contact Dressler’s Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. Donations in Stephen’s memory can be made to the ACLU or Planned Parenthood.