Stephen Alan Schechner, MD

VIRGINIA BEACH – Stephen Alan Schechner, MD, was born in Norfolk, Va., on December 2, 1944, to Hedy Hauer and Joseph Schechner, MD. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Daniel Herbert Schechner.

Steve graduated valedictorian from Norfolk Academy, received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, and his MD from Medical College of Virginia. He completed his surgical residency at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital and served in the United States Navy as a surgeon at Annapolis Naval Hospital. He opened his solo general surgery practice and, in the mid 1980’s, began to do bariatric surgery, completing over 3,000 cases. He served for two years as the Chief of Surgery at Bayside Hospital.

After he retired, Steve worked as a volunteer at Jewish Family Service and was once Volunteer of the Year. He did beautiful needlepoints that hang on the walls of his house and his children’s houses. He loved doing crossword puzzles which might have contributed to his skills at trivia and a spot on the show, Jeopardy, when he came in second.

Steve and his wife, Margery Neff Schechner, were one of seven founding members of Kempsville Conservative Synagogue, and he served for six years as its president, a position that Marge now holds.

He and Marge met as teenage counselors at Jewish Community Center Day Camp, and they shared a 57-year-long marriage filled with love, friendship, family, and travel, especially cruises, of which they shared 63.

He is survived by Marge, his children, Jason, Dr. Adam (Jessica) Schechner, David (Dr. Joanna) Schechner, and Deborah (Adam Santo) Schechner, and the delights of his life, his grandchildren, Jamie and Mia Schechner, Sophia and Benjamin Schechner, Alex, Daniel, and Lilah Santo.

A funeral service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery, led by Cantor David Proser. Donations in memory of Steve can be made to KBH (Kempsville Conservative Synagogue) or to Jewish Family Service.