Michael Bernstein

Dr. Michael R. Bernstein, late of Mountain Brook, AL, and husband of Sharon DeJanis Bernstein, his wife of 34 years, died on Friday, January 7, 2022 at Grandview Hospital after a brief illness.  Born January 20th, 1947 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Abraham and Eve Bernstein.  A 1964 graduate of Pottstown High School, he was also an honors graduate of The University of Arizona (cum laude) in 1968 where he did post-graduate study in microbiology.  An avid tennis player and a fierce competitor, he was a member of the University of Arizona tennis team and continued to play tennis competitively his entire life.  Dr. Bernstein graduated from Temple University Medical School in 1974, studied at The Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia under Drs. George Spaeth and Norman Schatz, did further research at Stanford University, and was a fellow at The Eye Foundation Hospital of The University of Alabama in Birmingham.  He started practice in Birmingham in 1975, retiring in 2017.

A classically trained pianist, Michael studied during his junior high and high school years with David Sokoloff (Curtis Institute) in Philadelphia, taking the train every Saturday from Pottstown 35 miles to the maestro’s studio in downtown Philadelphia.  Music and performance remained a passion throughout his life. As well, he was a professional chess player in which he beat his best friend at every game they played.  Dr. Bernstein was past president and vice president of Knesseth Israel Synagogue in Birmingham.  He was a member of the AMA and of the Alabama Board of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Bernstein was the father to four children, Jacob B. Bernstein, Abraham J. Bernstein (wife Britney), Dr. Sharon Chaney (husband Dr. James Chaney) and Steven M. Brom (wife Candace) all of Birmingham.  Dr. And Mrs. Bernstein have six grandchildren: Alden M. Chaney, Rayner M. Brom, Braden T. Brom, Jacelynn B. Bernstein, Ava E. Bernstein, and Emma B. Bernstein.

Services will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 11th.  The visitation will begin at 9am, followed by brief service at 10am, and a graveside service to follow.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made in Dr. Bernstein’s name to Chabad of Alabama or to the non-profit, United Ability.