Owen Murray Rennert, M.D., former scientific director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and chairman of pediatrics at Georgetown University and a beloved resident of Fox Hill, left us on June 7 to join his beloved wife Sandra Serota Rennert, who predeceased him six weeks ago, after 61 years of marriage. He made an indelible mark on all who were lucky enough to know him. His calling as a physician, a researcher and a teacher was inspiring. He trained and mentored many young doctors and researchers, conducted world class research in genetics and endocrinology, and, in his specialty of rare childhood metabolic disorders, he practiced medicine with such compassion that the parents of some of his patients moved to be near him.
One of his greatest sources of joy was sharing a fulfilling marriage and life with his beloved wife, Sandra, and raising a beautiful family, his children Laura Rennert and her husband Barry Eisler, Rachel Rennert and her husband Barry Rosenberg, and his son, the late Ian Rennert, and his beloved grandchildren Sarah Eisler, Ben Eisler, Emma Eisler, Andrew Rosenberg, Eric Rosenberg and his wife Jenna Kress, and Rachel Rosenberg. He leaves a remarkable legacy in medicine, practiced with exceptional humanitarianism and with love.
Those wishing to honor Owen’s life are encouraged to support the Lombardi Cancer Center. Arrangements entrusted to Torchinsky Hebrew Funeral Home, 202-541-1001.
I was deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Dr. Owen Rennert. I had the privilege of knowing him and working closely with him during his tenure as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University Medical Center, while I served as Professor of Clinical Pediatrics.
Dr. Rennert was an exceptional chairman, a highly respected physician, pioneering researcher, scientist, and visionary leader in the field of pediatric genetics. Our professional relationship continued when he moved to NIH, and I had the honor of co-authoring a few papers with him. I fondly recall his ever-present laptop, filled with meticulously kept archives of every patient he had treated, a testament to his dedication and remarkable attention to detail.
As a compassionate mentor and clinician, Dr. Rennert profoundly impacted the lives of countless patients, students, and colleagues. Owen will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the knowledge he advanced, and the many students he mentored and inspired. May his memory be eternal.
My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Amin J. Barakat, M.D.