ALTAMONT — Dr. Alan J. Fogel — a doctor with a caretaker’s soul whose greatest joy was his family — died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. He was 66.

He was born in Queens, New York on Dec. 2, 1953 to Dorothy (née Rashkovsky) and Jerome “Jerry” Fogel. The youngest of three children, he relished time with his brother, Les, and sister, Fran, as they grew up in Elmont, New York.

He graduated from Elmont High School in 1971. “Always an adventurous soul, Alan cycled around Minnesota in the summer after graduation, then traveled through Europe and to Australia where he worked for a short time on a sheep farm,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He had fond memories of the new places he visited and the experiences he gained.”

He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Union College in 1975 and his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1980. At St. Peter’s Hospital, while an intern, he met the love of his life, Helen, who was a nurse in the coronary-care unit at the time.

“The two hiked at Thacher Park on their first date, sharing a common love and admiration for nature,” the tribute said. “They were married in April of 1986 and, after nearly 40 years of life together, the two still looked at one another as if they had just fallen in love.”

In 1984, Dr. Fogel completed his residency in internal medicine at Albany Medical Center and was chief resident for his final year. During that residency, he met Dr. Michael Perazzelli, with whom he started a medical practice in August of 1984.

“Alan had a true caretaker’s soul and treated his career as a calling, offering a calming and compassionate presence to each patient he met,” his family wrote. “Alan loved practicing medicine and cared for generations of families.

“Alan’s greatest joy was his family. He was immensely proud of his and Helen’s sons, Benjamin and Jonathan, and always beamed with pride as he spoke of them. Alan cherished time spent with his children, whether they were hiking Giant Mountain together, building an ice-hockey rink in the backyard each winter, or crafting furniture out of the old broken hockey sticks.

“He was a trusted mentor and friend to both of his sons. Alan was an empathetic and active listener, attributes that made him a beloved and genuine husband, father, and friend, and were also at the core of his bedside manner. He was a skilled woodworker who generously shared that talent not only with his sons, but also other family and friends.

“A student of life, Alan was curious about the world around him — both people and nature. He loved to discover and pave new paths, traveling thousands and thousands of miles on his trusty bicycle, and deeply appreciated daily walks with the family’s dogs.”

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Alan J. Fogel is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Helen Fogel; their sons, Benjamin Fogel and his wife, Beatrix, of Connecticut, and Dr. Jonathan Fogel of Massachusetts; his sister, Francine Slovin and her husband, David, of Long Island; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends who span from Guilderland to Long Island to Ohio.

The couple’s infant daughters, Meghan and Alice, died before him, as did his brother, Les Fogel, and his parents, Dorothy and Jerome Fogel.

Friends and family are invited to call on the family on Friday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Newcomer Cremations & Funerals at at 343 New Karner Rd. in Albany. A private interment will follow.

Gathering size will be based on the most current New York State occupancy requirements. Masks are required, and social distancing is to be observed.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to Project Smile, to Living Resources, or to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.