Amherst, MA – Paul E. Berman, 87, of Amherst, passed away at Care One in Northampton on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Son of Leon and Anni Berman, he was born and grew up in Syracuse, NY.
He was a 1959 graduate of the University of Michigan and remained a life-long Wolverines fan. Paul received his Doctor of Medicine degree from SUNY Upstate Medical School in Syracuse followed by a residency in medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. After completing his training, he volunteered to serve as a physician in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Hill AFB in Utah.
Paul returned east to Massachusetts, first in Holden, before moving to Amherst in 1977 to work at The University of Massachusetts Health Service. Later, he practiced in Easthampton until his retirement in 2007. Paul was on the medical staff of Cooley Dickinson Hospital for 30 years. Dr, Berman had an “old fashioned” approach in caring for his patients: he made house calls, saw hospitalized patients twice a day, and spent evenings returning phone calls to reassure patients or their families about next steps in care.
In his free time, Paul researched, wrote, and spoke about the history of medicine, focusing on medical care of the colonial period and early 19th century in America. He also enjoyed photography. The Connecticut River Valley provided his favorite subjects with its barns, fields, woodlands and streams. Many weekend afternoons were spent exploring backroads in search of “a great shot.”
Paul will be deeply missed by his wife of 59 years, Yvonne (Axtell) Berman, his son Matthew of Winter Park, CO, grandchildren Zanna and Nico, his brother, Joel Berman of Fountain Valley, CA, and son-in-law, Don Belanger of Tiverton, RI , as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was ore-deceased by his daughter, Susan Berman, his parents and his sister, Beth.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Care One at Northampton and Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice for their care .
There are no services at this time. A celebration of Paul’s life is planned for later in the Spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; 25 Carew St, Chicopee MA 01020. www.foodbankwma.org or to Cooley Dickinson Hospital Development Office, PO Box 329, Northampton MA 01061-0329, development@cooleydickinson.org
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes