Dr. Harold Horwitz, 76

FALL RIVER, MASS. – Dr. Harold Milton Horwitz, a prominent rheumatologist in Rhode Island, died peacefully, at home on Oct. 28. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Eileen Shaw Horwitz of Fall River; and his children, Joshua Mark Horwitz and wife, Carmel, of Boulder, Colorado, Jill Horwitz Cohen and husband Andrew of Berkeley, California; two grandsons, Jasper and Eli; and a brother, Bruce and wife, Lois, of Newton, Massachusetts. He was the son of Dr. Manuel and Minette Horwitz.

Dr. Horwitz, an Eagle Scout, was a graduate of Classical High School, Union College, and Tufts Medical School. He began his medical training as an intern and first-year resident at Rhode Island Hospital and continued his residency at University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

He spent two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as a Major and chief of rheumatology, after which he completed a fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. 

Dr. Horwitz was one of the first rheumatologists in Rhode Island and went on to develop a highly respected private practice. He was an academic appointee at the Brown University Program of Medicine. He was the chief of rheumatology and an attending physician at both The Miriam and Pawtucket Memorial Hospitals. Dr. Horwitz was also an attending physician at Rhode Island Hospital and a member of the consulting staff at Kent County Hospital. 

During his career he was the president of the RI Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and was the first recipient of their Hall of Fame Award, he was also the president of the RI Society of Internal Medicine. Dr. Horwitz was on the board of the Lupus Society and Temple Beth El.

Dr. Horwitz, an accomplished cyclist, skier and sailor, who loved to travel the world, will be remembered as a physician devoted to his wife, family and patients. He will be missed by all who knew him.

To assist with the research of Frontotemporal Disorders, donations may be in his memory to "MGH Dr. Dickerson Lab" (Memo: “Dementia Research”). Mail to: Katie Brandt, MGH FTD Unit, 149 13th St., Suite 2691, Charlestown, MA 02129.