Morton Albert Stenchever, MD

Morton Albert Stenchever, MD was born January 25, 1931 to Harold and Lena Stenchever in Paterson, New Jersey. He died January 21, 2015, peacefully in his home on Mercer Island, Washington, at age 83.

Dr. Stenchever enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a professor of obstetrics and gynecology. After completing his medical training, Dr. Stenchever entered the Air Force at Malmstrom AFB, Montana where he served as a captain for two years before joining the department of OB GYN at Case Western University in 1962. In 1970, he became the Chairman of OB GYN at the University of Utah. After seven years in Utah, Dr. Stenchever relocated to Seattle, where he served as Chairman of the department of OB GYN at the University of Washington, a position he kept for nineteen years. Dr. Stenchever taught medical students and residents, training an entire generation of obstetricians and gynecologists who are still in practice today.

Dr. Stenchever was a member of more than twenty five medical Societies and editor of numerous journals including the Western Journal of Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology (The Green Journal), and most recently, Clinical Updates in Women’s Health Care. He authored more than 120 scientific papers in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, and genetics and wrote or edited several textbooks, including Comprehensive Gynecology, one of the leading resources in his field.

Despite Dr. Stenchever’s matchless academic achievements, nothing was more satisfying to him than his family. He was married for over 40 years to Diane Stenchever until her death in 1999. Mort shared Diane’s love of animals, and they traveled the world together. Mort is survived by his three sons, Michael, Marc, and Douglas, and eight grandchildren, Lindsay, Justin, Nicole, Chael, Shay, Joshua, Delaina, and Nathanial.

After Diane’s passing, Mort married his second wife, Luba. Mort and Luba enjoyed more than 13 years together. They adored each other and spent their time traveling to Hawaii, Paris, and a variety of other destinations. Mort is also survived by Luba and her family including her children Lisa, Andrew, and Emily, and grandchildren Rachel, Derek, Lauren, Abe, Elianna, Chava, Ryan, Caroline, and Eden.

As a long-time Mercer Island resident, Mort truly enjoyed entertaining his 17 grandchildren together with Luba in their south end home. Mort loved sharing stories, watching Marnier’s baseball, and attending grandchildren’s music recitals, dance exhibitions, and sporting events. Still, he remained active professionally into his 80s and was an avid reader with a variety of interests within and outside of his areas of scientific expertise.

He leaves behind a wealth of memories and love. Mort will be greatly missed.