Dr. Donald Lee Kahn

Dr. Donald Lee Kahn of Lafayette Hill, PA passed on February 21, 2026.

Don was the beloved husband of Jacqueline (nee Haney); loving father of Andrea Kahn-Kothmann (Bruce Kothmann) and Michael Kahn (Anne Blanchard); adoring grandfather of Julia, Lewis, Harrison, and Maxwell; beloved uncle, neighbor and friend to countless others.

Don was born to Harry and Mildred Kahn in Atlantic City, NJ on November 5, 1940. Don’s father passed away when he was 6 years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his older brother, Julius. While growing up, he made deliveries for Becker’s Fish Market, a family business, and was a salesman at Taber’s Toy-a-Rama near the Steel Pier on the Boardwalk. Don and his brother were avid model airplane builders, and Don developed a lifelong love of music, especially jazz, playing both the trombone and the string bass. When he was a high school senior, he caught the eye of a fellow student flutist, Jackie Haney, who would later become his wife of over 60 years.

Don graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1958 and went on to Rutgers University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963. Don and Jackie married in 1965, and Don earned his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in 1967. During his internal medicine residency, he accepted a commission as a Flight Surgeon in the US Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 at the rank of Captain, where he earned two Silver Star medals. Don’s colorblindness kept him from pursuing formal training as a pilot, but he treasured all of his aviation experiences in the military and beyond.

Don returned to civilian life, completed residency and a fellowship in cardiology, and entered private clinical cardiology practice in 1974. He maintained his medical practice at Albert Einstein Medical Center and Northeastern Hospital in Philadelphia for more than 40 years and retired in 2015. During his career, Don was deeply respected by colleagues, holding many clinical and medical staff leadership positions, and beloved by patients for his diagnostic acumen and disarming personality. Don was deeply devoted to his profession, often working long hours to ensure optimal care for his patients.

Throughout his life, Don pursued a variety of interests including sailing, tennis and time outdoors. Don enjoyed traveling with his wife, friends and family, including a rafting and camping trip in the Grand Canyon, cycling tours in Europe, frequent visits to Maine and the Outer Banks, and annual ski outings to Colorado. He doted on his many pets over the years and rarely encountered a dog or cat that didn’t quickly become a friend.

Don’s inner goofball often made appearances in all manner of settings, and he would joke with family, friends, patients, and strangers alike, always living by the motto that “laughter is the best medicine!”

Funeral services will be held Thursday February 26, 2026, 11:00AM at Congregation Beth Am Israel, 1301 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley, PA (visitation beginning at 10:00AM). Those unable to join in person may stream via Beth Am Israel’s website (bethamisrael.org). Interment to follow at Haym Salomon Memorial Park, Frazer, PA.

Shiva will be observed at the late residence Thursday, Minyan at 7:30PM and Saturday, Minyan at 7:00PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Donald’s memory may be made to ARTZ Philadelphia (www.artzphilly.org), Friends of the Wissahickon (fow.org), and The Treasure Chest at The Hill at Whitemarsh.