Dennis Baiser, M.D.
1951 – 2022
The world has lost a dedicated public servant, devoted family member, and passionate sports fan. Dennis Baiser, M.D. passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at his home in Yardley, PA on Friday, August 26, 2022, at the age of 70.
Dennis was born in the Bronx, NY on October 16, 1951, the only son to Israel (Izzy) and Lillian (Lee) Baiser. He grew up surrounded by his close-knit family which included many many cousins and worked in the neighborhood grocery store owned by his father and his uncle Jack. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School and spent his summers in the Catskill Mountains at Camp Beaver Lake where he serendipitously met the love of his life and future wife, Madelyn.
Dennis went to college at Stony Brook University on Long Island, NY where he developed a healthy infatuation with the New York Islanders (who later delivered 4 consecutive Stanley Cups as the greatest dynasty in the history of North American sports). He attended New York Medical College and completed his pediatric residency at Buffalo Children’s Hospital.
In the early 1980’s, Dennis and Madelyn built a home in Yardley, PA where they raised their three children: Rebecca, Ben, and Jodi – the joys of his life. In 1981, he became a partner at Hamilton Pediatrics. He loved work more than anyone in the known universe and continued serving his patients until two weeks before his passing. The joy that he brought children was incomparable and he always tried to make them laugh, even resorting at times to tossing cotton balls at them. Family and tradition were always central to Dennis. Whether it was ensuring his own children had their sleepaway camp experience or creating an opportunity for family to gather at any and every moment possible.
Dennis lived life to the absolute fullest. His favorite hobbies included biking, going to concerts and sharing his passion for music and bands with everyone (turning a surprising number of people onto the Grateful Dead in the process.) Dennis started his kids young, bringing them to see Simon and Garfunkel in the early 90’s and to one of Jerry Garcia’s last shows on a detour looking at colleges for his eldest. He was the glue that held so many together, from campers he had in his bunk over 50 years ago, to dear college friends, and extended family. He made it a priority to check-in frequently with everyone he knew and had more close friends than most people have acquaintances in their entire lives.
Dennis glowed with joy as his family grew when Lily Baiser (Ben) and Mel Baiser (Rebecca) joined the family through marriage. Then his heart exploded when he became a pop pop to Isaac, Nora, and Haddie. Sharing his love of life, his stories (oh the stories…), and the NY Islanders with his children and grandkids was something he cherished. He would often call after games to debrief and held out hope that next year would be our year to win our (5th) cup.
For those who had the privilege to know Dennis, you know he was one of a kind. His memory will always be a blessing to all he touched.
Funeral services are Monday, August 29 at 9:30 am at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ. Masks are required. Burial will follow at Mount Ararat Cemetery in Lindenhurst, NY.
Shiva will be observed at the Baiser residence on Tuesday August 30th, Wednesday August 31st, Thursday Sept 1st from 1pm – 4pm and 6pm (6:30 service) – 8:30 pm. Masks are required.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Dennis’ name to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (https://nationalpcf.org/) or the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (https://lustgarten.org/)
What a glowing memorial! The world has lost a very caring, loving soul. Wish I had been able to get to know him even better.
What a great pediatrician and person. I enjoyed working with him and having him on my healthcare radio program in the 1990s. So sorry for your loss.
This is a beautiful life story.
My three children had the privilege of knowing Dr. Baiser as their pediatrician from birth to late teens. He had a great way with children and a very nervous new mother. Always a listener, offering advice and good opinions. We really appreciated knowing him and receiving his skilled attention.
Always be so proud of him and please accept our sympathy for your loss.
My husband Marty was a childhood friend of Dennis’s father Izzy, and were two of the four musketeers growing up. I met Dennis while he was a teenager dating Madelyn, whom he had met at camp. What an impression he made on whomever he made contact with even then…mingling with everyone, interested in whatever you had to say, loving his family members, genuinely attentive to all.
He never changed. He carried those traits with him throughtout his life. A genuine testament to him as a husband, father, friend, and his medical profession.
His gusto for life will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace, dear Dennis.
Dr. Baiser was a wonderful pediatrition to my two sons. He had such patience and a warm, caring bedside manner. He will be sorely missed.
Dr Baiser was always professional and caring to my two children. You could see he loved his profession and also all his young patients.
Beautiful obit. Rest In Peace, Dr Baiser.
You were well loved.
Dennis always had a genuine smile and kind words for anyone he talked to. Having worked at Capital Heslth (Mercer Medical Center) for more than 30 yrrs i saw him when he came to do rounds and spoke to him many times. We will all miss his kind ways and words. My heartfelt condolences to the family and his second family at the practice.
Dr Radhakrishnan
Bellevue Pediatrics
The world has lost a wonderful person, doctor, father, and cousin.
He was well loved and will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace
Dr. Baiser was an amazingly caring pediatrician and man. I will be forever grateful that he was the first pediatrician we saw with our firstborn. He always took the time to sit with us and answer our questions at appointments – never making us feel silly as new parents. We are so sorry for your family’s loss. The world has lost a wonderful man, may he Rest In Peace.
Deeply saddened to hear about Dr. Baiser’s passing and sending sympathy and prayers from my family to his. My three children were patients of Dr. Baiser and we were all very grateful to have such a kind, caring physician. My children are adults now and still remember his humor, kindness, and passion for sports that he always shared with everyone. I pray that all your memories and stories bring you comfort.
I first met Dennis when he joined Hamilton Pediatrics. Our offices were in the same building. We spoke often about our favorite sport teams and also about medical practice.
I am so very sorry for this loss.
My sincere condolences to the entire family.
Philip L. Kauff, M.D.
Thank you, Dr. Baiser, for caring for Patrick and Charlie and for being such a trustworthy doctor.
Condolences to the entire family.
Baisers, please accept our most heartfelt condolences at the loss of this amazing, fun, funny, loving man. We are so sorry-this came way too soon. Sending love to all of you.
Our family is better for having met Dr. Baiser! We loved when he would throw the cotton balls & was a wonderful pediatrician.
May he Rest In Peace.
Our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and everyone at Hamilton Pediatric Associates.
To Dennis’s family and many, many friends and colleagues – I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m actually a former patient of his, from the time I was about 6 months old until I was maybe 22 years old or so (I’m 33 now). To summarize a story that spans the bulk of those years, as a kid – thanks to his expertise and intuition – he zeroed in on a medical condition that barred me from playing sports when I was about 11 years old. I was a huge sports fan (but never any good whatsoever at sports, which I think he knew), and yet I will never forget how genuinely heartbroken Dennis was when it was determined that it was safest for me not to play. It clearly always stuck with him, even as I found plenty other ways to fill the void.
Each time I saw Dennis thereafter he wrote me “prescriptions” for new hobbies, which, oddly enough seemed to emulate his own 🙂 To this day, my parents and I still reminisce about the times he wrote me a prescription to watch an Islanders game (he upped the dosage when I told him that I casually watched some Flyers games) and a separate prescription to download Bruce Hornsby music. When I went for my last appointment – probably right around the time I graduated college – Dennis talked to me about how he never forgot that first day he had to sit me and my parents down and talk about restricting my activities. I nearly burst into tears in his office – I couldn’t believe that in all the experiences he’s undoubtedly had, for better and I’m certain for worse, he had so much empathy and care in his heart that he never failed to recognize how that day impacted my own life. He somehow always understood the significance of those events in a person’s life – the ones where life goes on, albeit, not entirely the way you planned.
Years later, I got into running (a thing I absolutely wasn’t supposed to do as a kid, but later got the green light on). I ran the Trenton Half marathon that year – something I never thought I’d ever do in my life – and one of the first things I did when I got the race photos was I mailed a few to Dennis’s office. I never expected him to remember me, but I thanked him for all he did for me. I also sent the photos to show him that it was all okay – I found my way into sports after all. I assumed he may never get the letter, or maybe he would and, at most, maybe he’d skim it and have a laugh.
Then, several months later, I received a two-page letter from him out of the blue. He talked about how incredibly happy and proud he could see I was about my half marathon, just from the photos – and how that’s what sports are all about. Even more, he took a lot of time to update me on his life, including how incredibly proud he was of his family (even if his kids didn’t understand the beauty of being Yankees fans like us).
The letter meant so much to me that I tucked it someplace for safekeeping – and I did too good of a job, because I misplaced it for over four years and hadn’t written down the contact information he passed along to me. Just a few weeks ago, my now husband found the letter in a lockbox I didn’t realize we even had. I immediately pinned it up in my home office in Baltimore with the intention of writing Dennis back, and I’m so upset with myself that I never did. (Although, I feel comforted by the fact that Dennis himself described he, too, was guilty of the same flaw – he said he put off writing me back because he was too stubborn about needing to write the “perfect letter” that he inadvertently delayed it for far too long.)
I know it’s silly to write such a long note here as a patient from years ago, but I just wanted to share that story because I think that’s part of what made him such a uniquely wonderful human being. I’ll always be grateful I took the chance to tell him thank you, even if I was too stubborn to figure out a way to send him a reply to his own incredibly heartfelt response. And, I’ll happily keep his letter hanging in my office as a reminder to take the time to thank the people who might otherwise never know the impact they’ve had on my life.
Dr. Baiser was a fantastic pediatrician to all 4 of my children. So caring, understanding, and funny too. He will certainly be missed!
I am absolutely heart broken to hear this news. Dr. Baiser was the absolute best and my children loved him. I will never forget as a young, new mom how comfortable he made me feel and how much care and attention he would give my kids. He never missed an opportunity to talk about his own grandchildren and his entire face would light up talking about them. I remember this one time my son was getting dangerously high fevers from a virus and I was extremely worried and Dr. Baiser said he would call me on Saturday to check in. I thought that was just something doctors say, but he really did call to check on my son and that meant the absolute world to me. My heart goes out to the entire Baiser family, the world truly lost a one of a kind man and doctor. Sending lots of love and prayers!
We were shocked and heartbroken to hear the sad news of Dr. Baiser’s passing. All three of my girls have been patients at Hamilton Pediatrics for over 21 years at this point….they all loved him as he was always very kind and caring ….and very patient with their sometimes neurotic mother.
His story of who he was and how he lived his life is both inspiring and beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing his story and for sharing him with all of us! He played such an important part of in so many lives – year after year. Our most sincere thanks, love, prayers, and condolences. May your memories comfort you and the knowledge that you have a new guardian angel watching over all of you provide you with peace.
I will always remember Dr. Baiser with his amazing smile! This beautiful tribute truly captures his life. It was my honor and privilege to work with him for many years at Capital Health and RWJUHH! I will miss our friendly banter about which was the better NY hockey team! He is truly gone too soon. I hope your memories bring you comfort and smiles to replace the sadness. I am truly sorry for your loss.
The Yard Family says:
Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of dear Dr. Dennis.
We have fond memories of the personal care he gave our daughter from the time she was a week old up until the time she completed high school and headed to college.
I echo the sentiments of many who mourn his loss and offer thanks to you for sharing this remarkable pediatrician with us. He was truly a dedicated, caring physician. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Debra and I are saddened to learn of Dr. Baiser’s passing. He was our children’s pediatrician, and most recently our grandchildren’s pediatrician. Not often that a doctor can serve multiple generations of a family. We also shared the fact that Debra grew up in the Bronx during the same time period and close to the same neighborhood.
Dr. Dennis was a wonderful doctor and human being. Our thoughts are with you. May the many memories of life experiences sustain you in the years to come.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr Baiser. He was such a wonderful Dr to my 4 kids. He was the Dr that came and saw them in the hospital as newborns. He was always kind and caring. We will miss him
My family is so saddened by the news of Dr. Baiser’s passing. He was my 3 daughter’s pediatrician as well as my grandchildren. He was always so kind and compassionate. I remember when he first joined Hamilton Pediatrics, I was a first time mother in 1982 when my infant daughter developed a terrible cough and fever. It was Christmas day and I was so apprehesive to call the office since it was a holiday. I finally did and Dr. Baiser asked to meet us at the hospital. My daughter was hospitalized and I can still remember sobbing because I was so frightened. Dr. Baiser was so comforting and reassuring.
He answered all my questions and my daughter, of course, received excellent care. It’s coming up on 40 years and I can still remember how wonderful he was to me that day.
I am happy that my grandchildren were able to be under the care of such an exceptional doctor and human being.
I am so very sorry for your loss and know he is in peace. May all the wonderful memories bring you comfort.
My three children went to Hamilton Pediatrics from birth to teenage years. Dr. Baiser was a kind and endearing man loved by them. On the evening before my son’s First Holy Communion he had a fever. Dr. Baiser returned my call to the answering service that night and told me to meet him at the office the next day before it opened in order to see him before his communion mass. With medication and Tylenol my son was able to attend his communion. Such a wonderful man to meet us prior to the office opening. Please accept our condolences and may your memories sustain you.
May the four winds blow you safely home, Dennis.
I am eternally grateful for Dr.Baker’s insight in sending my 3yr old son to CHOP for a diagnosis which turned out to be cancer in 1987 My son is now 38 years old. My infant granddaughter was seen by him no too long sgo. My prayers go out to family!!
We have known Dr. Baiser for about 40 years. He was a wonderful doctor to my three children and then to their kids(my grandchildren). He was a great person and a very kind man, a great professional and a very caring doctor for the kids.
He will be missed in our future visits to Hamilton Pediatrics. May his soul Rest In Peace and give his family the strength to bear this loss.
Rajinder Chawla & Family
Our condolences to your family. Dr Baiser was such a wonderful doctor to our three children Jack, Ben and Emma. He was truly one of a kind and we will miss trying to catch those cotton balls. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
My twin boys are 21 years old and for a few years now my husband & I have been saying “we need to transfer to a GP but how do we leave Dr. Baiser?”. What a blessing he was to us; a caring man who took the time to treat my children with the utmost care and even to comfort an overwhelmed mother all those years ago. I’ll never forget that. He threw many a cotton ball at my boys and would always have the nurses administer them their vaccinations so that, in his words, the boys continued to like him. He was truly a treasure and will be missed. The Silagy family extends sincere condolences.
Like all these other wonderful stories….Dr. Baiser will always have a spot in my heart. As a first time mother, I brought my son and he went on about what a beautiful baby he was….holding him over his head and playing “airplane” down the hallway – I laughed because he was not even wearing a diaper!!! He saw babies all day long, but had a way of making everyone feel special. Please know that he touched so many lives and I hope you can find comfort in knowing that…. He was a FABULOUS Pediatrician who will be dearly missed in this community. Cherish your memories as well….
Dennis was such an incredible father and grandfather. We are all lucky to have known him. He will be missed, but his memory will live on through all of you. May his memory be a blessing. Sending you love and hugs!
Rest In Peace to the sweetest man who I will forever cherish and be so grateful to for hearing my son’s heart murmur and ultimately beginning the journey that saved his life. Thank you for always listening to me and for letting me cry more times then once whether in your office or on the phone, for all of your reassurances and advice when caring for our sweet Frankie. You always returned my texts or calls right away whenever I had a concern. Your work was selfless and you truly cared about our family. I will severely miss being able to text or call you when a health matter comes up with one of my babies. I am so grateful that you got to meet our girl when she was born in the hospital and that you were her first doctor. I only wish that they would both grow to have such an amazing pediatrician! I don’t know why this morning but you were on my mind as I was wondering if you would be returning to the office soon. Something made me google your name and I am so sorry for not knowing sooner that you left this earth. I had really hoped that you were just taking some time off and did not become sick again. I hope that you continue to watch over Frankie and Hannah wherever you are and know that you will truly be missed. To your family I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed hearing about his family and could see how they were to light of his life. It was an honor to know you Dr. Baiser.
I was so terribly sorry to hear about the passing of our family’s cherished pediatrician, Dr. Dennis Baiser. What a great guy. First to see my sons in the hospital and care for them at every visit until my oldest at 23 when he got up from his chair and gave my oldest a big hug now that he had to move on to a GP. I am so sad but have great memories of him wrestling with my two to give them exams while they were fighting him as toddlers, having my two goofing around together eagerly awaiting his arrival in the exam room, to seeing them through the years from everything from regular checkups, illnesses, injuries, from him just touching my son’s abdomen and sending us right to the hospital for emergency appendectomy. We were privileged to know him and have him as our pediatrician for over 20 years. God bless you Dr. Baiser and peace to his family, you did great work in your life.
RIP Dr. Baiser. You will be missed by the many patients you treated over the years.