INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. – Stewart Barry Segal passed away on September 19 at the age of 73, surrounded by his family and knowing that he was loved, that he had made a difference in countless lives, and that his work here was done.
He was born on July 19, 1951, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Meyer (Mickey) and Bette Segal of blessed memory. After overcoming illness early in his life, he set his sights on becoming a doctor and never deviated from that path. He attended the University of Virginia (UVA), where he joined Sigma Alpha Mu (Class of 1973). There, he enjoyed some of the best and most memorable years of his life.
After graduating from UVA, he left the U.S. to attend medical school in Mexico at the Universidad de Guadalajara (Class of 1978). In later years, he said that it was his time in Mexico that taught him the humil- ity, compassion, and dedication that made him the wonderful doctor that his patients cherished.
Together with Renee, Stewart opened Lake Zurich Family Treatment Center (LZFTC) and practiced there for over 30 years. While Stewart saw many changes in medicine over the years, he never wavered in his commitment to maintaining walk-in hours so that he was available whenever his patients needed him. It was with a heavy heart that he sold LZFTC in 2018 and retired in 2019, when his Parkinson’s forced him to do so. Stewart was prede- ceased in death by his parents, Meyer and Bette Segal; his sister, Nancy Goldstein; his in-laws, Bernard and Cynthia Rafal; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Nelson and Chris Rafal.
Stewart is survived by his loving wife of 46.5 years, Renee Rafal Segal.
He was the proud father of Erin Whaley (Tim), Jeremy Segal (Allyson), and Lisa Paul (Steve); the even prouder Zayde of Jackson and Hannah Whaley, RJ Segal, Kenzie and Hudson Paul; the beloved brother of Alan Segal (Martha) and broth- er-in-law of Dale Atherton (Brian); and, the favorite uncle of his nieces and nephews, Alli Segal, Ashley Atherton, Shannon Ben-Yoseph (Roy), Jason Rafal (Ashley), Robin Reichert, and Ryan Goldstein. He was the lifelong friend of Abe Shait (Linda), Robert Galumbeck (Annabelle), and Susan Zatcoff (Bernie). He was the trusted physician for countless patients who relied upon his excellent diagnostic skills, warm bedside manner, and unique sense of humor when faced with health or life challenges.
After watching how Parkinson’s had taken his father and grandfather, Stewart was always afraid that his fate would be the same. To help change this for the future so that no one has to suffer the way he did, the family asks that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
A graveside funeral was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk officiated by Rabbi Dr. Michael Panitz.