Jacob Spanier Atlanta, GA - Jacob A. Spanier, MD, (age 91) beloved husband of sixty-seven years, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, born in Flushing, NY, August 11th, 1929, died at home among family in Atlanta, GA in the pre-dawn hours of July 13th, 2021. Dr. Spanier was a co-founder of Northside Hospital, served as Chairman of the Obstetrics Department and later as Chairman of Northside Hospital itself. He also served as a member of the Fulton County Hospital Authority from 1990 until his retirement from medicine in 2014. Credited with successfully delivering over 14,000 children during fifty years of tireless dedication, he was known for the purity of his focus on his patients and his overwhelming generosity of spirt. A graduate of the University of South Carolina (B.S. 1951) and the Medical College of South Carolina (M.D. 1955), after completing an internship at Charleston's Medical University Hospital, he entered active duty as a second lieutenant in the US Navy. In the Navy, he served as medical officer to a mobile construction battalion and later as medical officer U.S.M.C. recruit depot, Paris Island, SC. Following honorable discharge in 1957, he moved to Atlanta where from 1958-1961 he completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Grady Memorial/Emory Hospital. In 1961, he entered private practice and joined the hospital staff of Georgia Baptist, and shortly thereafter helped found and began a lifelong association with Northside Hospital. In local business, he distinguished himself as a director of First American Bank 1980-1992 where he oversaw the bank's ultimate acquisition by First Union. Known for his intelligence, kindness and humility, Dr. Spanier always managed to see the good in people and his sense of humor served him well even until the last day of his remarkable life. Notwithstanding the indelible loss of son Jonathan Spanier (1962-2010) he is survived by his wife, Harriet Spanier; his daughters, Beth Spanier and Amy Spanier; his grandson, Michael Winston and wife, Rachel; and three great-grandchildren, Victoria, Naomi and Ezra Winston. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM today, Thursday, July 15th, 2021, at Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta followed by Shiva at the Spanier residence in Buckhead. Donations in Jacob's memory may be made to the Friends of the IDF and the Atlanta Humane Society. For more information, please visit www.dresslerjewishfunerals.com. Arrangements in Atlanta by Dressler's, 770-451-4999. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jul. 14 to Jul. 15, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Jacob Spanier

Sponsored by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care.

10 Entries

Danielle

July 8, 2025

Dr. Spanier was one of the doctors that a worked for who had a lasting impression on me. He was passionate about his work and pushed me to learn as much as I could. I wish I had the chance to tell him the lasting impact he made.

Antoinette Hicks

April 29, 2024

When I say crème de la cream I mean it HEAVILY. One of the best to ever do this. Now this isn´t about race BUT IT IS and that is a BIG FACT AND TESTAMENT TO His LEGACY AS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER.
POV- HIM: older white male dr. decades of experience. Serious face.
ME: 22yr old black girl from humble back ground from Los Angeles California living in ATLANTA. horrible experiences with judgement and racial discrimination from providers.
I was nervous our first meeting. It wasn´t even my appt he came to deliver my sisters baby. He came spoke to me then her. His smile so beautiful and honest. He got in and got to work. He knew everything about my sister body. THAT WAS RARE. Dr tend to treat patient as sheep. Cash cows. No passion. NOT Dr. Spanier.It´s was about her comfort and what was safest for her. NOT A DOLLAR. It´s was so refreshing. I told him I´d be changing my primary care to him. He wasn´t only an OBGYN.he had family practice expertise.so he was LIKE I SAID TOP NOTCH. HE WAS CANDID AND BLUNT. He spoke firm but u never felt judge. U never felt like he was only saying something because of ur race or your economic status. I felt so comfortable telling him the honest and funny or even embarrassing truth. I know it´s been a while since he transitioned but MAN IVE THOUGHT OF AND BRAGGED ABOUT HIM SINCE I LEFT ATLANTA. Nothing will ever top the treatment and wisdom I received under DR SPAINER´s CARE. My heart goes out to his family and I pray you all are living in light love and unity IN HIS HONOR. What a guys WHAT A GUY!!

LA Sawyer and Children

February 11, 2024

I am saddened to hear of Dr. Spanier. He was a lovely caring physician and looked after me during pregnancies when on call for Dr Crawford and Dr George. I wish the office was still
Open. They shall all be sooooo missed. Blessings

Jennifer

January 5, 2024

I just thought about Dr. Spanier this morning and did a search for him. So sad to learn of his passing. He was such a supportive and loving person. He helped me through so much. Throughout my life I've shared countless stories about him with others. He took great care of me when I scared about needed surgery when I was 20. He delivered my 3 children. When he retired he set me up nicely for future care. He helped me through many challenges. I have great love for him. During so many of my visits he spoke lovingly of his wife and family. I always trusted him and so grateful for his care. He helped my sister in a trying time to find a loving adopting family. He deliverd my other sisters children and took care of my mother as well. Such a wonderful person. I enjoyed reading about the other great parts of his life in this post. Love to his family, love to Dr. Spanier.

S. Michelle

September 14, 2023

Dr. Spanier delivered my children, all five of them. I was never a fan of medical care, and would forgo the traditional visits. I´d show up near the end of my trimester and he´d deliver my kid. He said I´m only doing this because you´re strong and healthy as an ox. I was sitting think of him today. He was an outstanding doctor. My condolences to the family.

jeri gertzman

July 9, 2023

so much to remember---so much to respect ---never could i forget
--love to all of his family

Yvonne wright

June 10, 2023

What an awesome Doctor he was it hurts my hurt to know that he passed away. I can still remember the day I delivered my daughter 11/19/13. He made sure that I got a picture of her after going to the NIC unit. He will be greatly missed Love always the Wright Family. By

Danielle

July 20, 2021

Dr Spanier was an amazing doctor!!! He inspired when I first finished MA school to learn more and more. He is the reason I love OB!
Wonderful doctor he will truly be missed.

My condolences to his family.

Maria Montgomery

July 15, 2021

He was a gentleman and a wonderful doctor. I enjoyed being one of his nurses.

jeri gertzman

July 15, 2021

i am so very sorry to learn of jack's death--like all who knew him, i am comforted by the fact that he had a wonderful life--well respected and greatly loved by all who knew him,i believe that as long as a parson's name is said , that person lives on and so i promise to say jack;s name aloud =and with affection and admiration for the rest of my life----Harriet, my heart goes out to you and your family---it seems that only yesterday , i was the maid of honor at your wedding -as beautiful as you two were then, you both became more beautiful [and dearer ] to me with each passing year-will be in touch later but for now--my heart hurts for you and i love you
all;

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