Herbert L. Kotz

Dr. Herbert L Kotz, a distinguished gynecologic oncologist, died November 2 at his home in Potomac, Maryland. He was 83 years old. In a career spanning 54 years, he held leadership positions as a clinical professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the George Washington University Medical School, clinical associate professor at Georgetown University Medical School and co-director of the gynecologic oncology service at the Washington Hospital Center. After nearly 40 years of private practice in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Kotz served for 15 years as a consultant in gynecologic oncology at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health where he shared his experience with young doctors, performed clinical research and treated patients with cancer. His service at the NIH was honored by the creation of the Herb Kotz Award, given annually to the outstanding fellow in oncology. He retired this year. At a research institution whose primary mission is to develop and test new treatments and drugs, Dr. Kotz stressed that primary attention to the needs of patients must be the paramount factor in designing research projects. He created and led a symposium at the NCI to sensitize young doctors to the personal and human needs of their patients. An unusual aspect of his service at the NCI was that he worked full time there, but insisted on not being paid a salary. He was also recognized internationally by his peers when he was elected president of the Felix Rutledge Society, comprised of extraordinary gynecologic oncologists who had trained at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from George Washington University and then attended medical school at George Washington University where he graduated as a member of the honor society Alpha Omega Alpha. His internship was at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City and he then spent four years at Yale University Medical School Hospital as a resident, the last year of which he was chief resident. After two years of medical service as an Army captain at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, he completed his specialty training in gynecologic oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He was the author of numerous medical publications and was featured on the cover of the Washingtonian Magazine's "Top Doctors" in 1991.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years Joan Erdreich Kotz. She played a key role in every aspect of his life. Together they enjoyed playing competitive tennis, world travel with their friends and medical colleagues and growing a beautiful garden. They were also enthusiasts for theater, music and films. But their foremost priority was dedication to and pride in their three sons and their families, including Dr. Kenneth and Nancy Kotz of Wilmington, North Carolina and grandchildren Samuel, Jacob and Andrew; Robert and Bonnie Kotz of Vienna, Virginia and grandchildren Adam, Gregory and Lynsey; and Daniel and Shira Kotz of North Potomac, Maryland and grandchildren Alexa, Jeremy and Brenden.
Services will be at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, Maryland on Friday 11/6/15 at 10 a.m. with interment to follow at Garden of Remembrance in Clarksburg, Maryland. Shiva will be held at the family home following the burial on Friday and on Saturday evening with a service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dr. Kotz's memory to the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health at 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814.

---

Temple Service

NOV 6. 10:00 AM

Temple Beth Ami
14330 Travilah Rd
Rockville, MD, 20850