Obituary of Samuel Wagonfeld

Samuel Wagonfeld, MD, highly regarded Denver psychiatrist and analyst, died on January 24, 2017 as a result of cardiac arrest. Born in 1931, Dr. Wagonfeld graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, Cornell University (MA), the University of Chicago Medical School (MD) and the University of Michigan (MS). He completed his internship at the University of Colorado Medical Center and was a psychiatric resident and Child Fellow at the University of Michigan. In 1967 he returned to the University of Colorado and began his long association with the Denver Psychoanalytic Institute where he continued as a training and supervising analyst. He left the University faculty to develop a successful private practice in 1975 but continued at different times to consult and volunteer for the University of Colorado Medical Center (including membership on the UCMC admissions committee). He was a member of several professional societies and taught many courses at the University of Colorado Medical School, Denver Psychoanalytic Institute and the Denver Psychoanalytic Society. His special commitment and primary interests were to child and adolescent psychiatry and psychoanalysis where he was considered a wise and insightful pioneer. Later in his career he also developed a forensic psychiatry practice, primarily representing the interests of young people and their families. Fiercely proud of his heritage, Sam considered himself a cultural rather than a religious Jew. His parents both immigrated to New York City from Russia in the early 1900s. His father, Harry Wagonfeld -- starting from nothing -- established a successful wholesale pharmacy business in the city. Sam's many friends knew him as a passionate and extraordinarily intelligent man with wide ranging interests, strong opinions and extensive knowledge of many and varied topics. He felt bereft if he did not have his daily copy of The New York Times. An inveterate collector, for many years he developed an extensive stamp collection. He was also committed to fly fishing, golf, movies and wine. His primary passion was Inuit (northern Canadian Eskimo) art. Over the next 25 years he amassed a world class collection. He leaves his two beloved sons and their families in the San Francisco area: David and Alison and their 3 children; Joel and Lisa and their 2 children. David's and Joel's mother, Barbara, died in 1987 after a tragic accident. He also leaves his much loved, long-time companion, Sally V. Allen, and her son, Vance, his wife Phyllis and their 2 children. Over 26 years, Sam and Sally shared a rich rewarding life together. Service, Friday, 1:00pm, Feldman Mortuary Chapel; Interment Emanuel Cemetery; Contributions suggested to Friends of Chamber Music, 191 University Boulevard, Suite # 974 Denver, CO 80206 or to the Douglas Society at Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver CO 80204.