Dr. Stephen Ira Bistner Obituary (1939 - 2022)

Dr. Stephen Ira Bistner passed away on August 18, 2022. He was born in New York City where he was raised with his sister, Ellyn. His family had no pets; yet he developed a lifelong love of animals. After completing his degree in agriculture at Rutgers University, Steve pursued his dream of veterinary medicine at Cornell University. Back then, the admission process required farm experience, preferably with dairy cattle. So, the summer of 1960 found him milking 100 cows at 5:00 in the morning and again in the afternoon, seven days a week. After receiving his DVM, Dr. Bistner became one of the founding fathers and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology. By 1974, at 35 years of age, he became one of the youngest tenured professors at Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine. A career highlight was the publication of his “Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment,” which has been translated into eight languages. Steve moved to Minnesota in 1977 to join the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine faculty, becoming a professor in 1983. For 28 years, he taught ophthalmology and internal medicine to approximately 2,400 students. He also had a consulting practice in which he traveled the world as his research efforts supported decisions by the FDA to approve (or reject) human clinical trials. In 1989, he met his future wife, Cecelia, at Temple Israel’s Camp Teko. When they married the following year, Steve became a devoted stepfather to Ben (then 11) and Sarah (then 17). He and Cecelia traveled widely during their 32 years of marriage. Favorites included Italy, France, and Israel. Steve was a talented cook, often running daily to the grocery store and cooking holiday feasts without any written recipes. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis and watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. He is survived by his wife and stepchildren and their families; his brother-in-law, Dr. Rick Cohen; and his nieces, Shari, Lorin, and Caryn, and their families. A Memorial Service will be held on WEDNESDAY, August 24, 2022 at 10:30am at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Ave S., Mpls, MN. Also available on zoom, email zoom2@hodroffepstein.com for the link. Memorials preferred to Temple Israel Camp Teko Campaign or donor’s choice. Shiva Wednesday, 7:00pm, Temple Israel.