Lester J. Karafin, urologist, teacher

Lester J. Karafin, 88, of Ambler, a longtime urologist and a medical school leader and teacher in Philadelphia, died Friday, Sept. 26, of pneumonia at Abington Memorial Hospital.

Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Karafin graduated from Overbrook High School. While still in high school, he was recruited by the armed services to become a physician.

Dr. Karafin, then only 16, went on to earn a bachelor's degree, medical degree, and master's of science degree in urology from Temple University. He completed his medical training by age 22.

He spent two years in the U.S. Public Health Service as an assistant surgeon before returning to Temple University Hospital as a faculty member in 1956.

Dr. Karafin was named a full professor of urology in 1969 at Temple University School of Medicine. He became emeritus professor in 1992, but worked at Temple's urology clinic and mentored residents until retiring in 2011 at age 85.

"He didn't want to stop, even at 85," said his wife, Sheila Judge. "He was so vigorous, with his running, that no one realized he was 85."

Dr. Karafin was also a professor of surgery and chief of the division of urology at the Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) from 1964 to 1997. He was a past president of the medical staff at MCP.

"He was well known by colleagues and all of the hospital staff for his humor, kindness, and expertise. He made it a point to know his patients and their families well, often treating them throughout their lifetimes," his wife said in a tribute. "He was very much interested in people and their life stories."

Dr. Karafin taught thousands of medical students and residents in various specialties at both medical schools, forging special relationships with his urology residents.

MCP honored him with the Golden Apple SAMA Teaching Award in 1969 and 1980, and the Christian R. and Mary Lindback Award for Outstanding Teaching.

He also practiced at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and while a pediatric urologist there, performed kidney transplants. He told his family that one of the first of these involved taking a father's kidney and giving it to his child, who was in an operating room across the hall.

Dr. Karafin wrote and lectured widely. He was a coauthor of a textbook on urology considered a seminal reference in the field. He also appeared on television and radio across the country. Among his topics was sexuality in the aging male.

He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a past president of the Philadelphia Urologic Society.

His wife said that he encouraged urology residents to lead full lives outside medicine, something he demonstrated in his own life.

He loved to travel, held a pilot's license, and read two or three books a week - on history, biography, or baseball. He was an expert on the history of Philadelphia.

When running became popular, he completed eight marathons in New York City, Washington, and Philadelphia. He played golf, baseball, and tennis.

"He would confound his opponents with both left and right forehands, an ambidexterity he found useful in the operating room as well," his wife said.

He and Judge, a psychiatrist, married in 1986. They settled in Ambler a year later.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Brian S.; daughter Karen E.; a granddaughter; and nieces and nephews. Another son, Ted David, died earlier.

He was previously married to Aileen Karafin. They divorced. She survives.

Dr. Karafin requested that there be no funeral.

Memorial donations may be made to any charity.