NavianHawaii.org | 7 2023 Hall of Heroes Honoree: Robert “Nate” Nathanson For over 15 years, Navian Hawaii has celebrated outstanding patients and their many contributions to the community through its Hall of Heroes. Past honorees include artists, philanthropists, entertainers, legislators, pediatric patients and more. This year, we recognize another amazing individual—one who has been a part of our organization from the very start. Dr. Robert “Nate” Nathanson, co-founder of Hospice Hawaii (now Navian Hawaii), is the 2023 Hall of Heroes inductee. He joins a long list of champions who lived exceptional lives while also making a significant difference in the lives of others. “Nate was intelligent, kind and gentle, with a marvelous sense of humor,” said Nate’s wife, Donna. “He was a trustworthy man who kept his word, whose life was about helping others. This was his basic motivation. One of his nurses even described him as the nicest man she had ever known.” Dr. Nathanson was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 6, 1933 and died on May 12, 2022 after gracefully living with Parkinson’s Disease for six years. Throughout his 89 years of life, countless hearts were touched by his work. He graduated from Boston Latin School, Boston University and Tufts University Medical School, then went on to complete his residency in Ambulatory Medicine as a general practitioner at Tripler Army Medical Center. After residency, Dr. Nathanson served in the Army at Schofield Barracks and Kilauea Medical Center on Hawaii Island. In 1961, he joined Kaiser Permanente Medical Group where he stayed for over 37 years. He was admired by colleagues and loved by many patients, who remained in contact with him—even after retirement. His life was dedicated to serving others, as can be seen by his medical practice and involvement in a variety of community organizations across Oahu. In 1979, he and a few colleagues co-founded Hospice Hawaii, serving as its first president. “When I first met Nate, he was totally immersed in forming Hospice Hawaii,” said Donna. “He along with his colleagues spent hours working on this. He was so driven by his devotion to the many elderly patients he served, who needed extra, more holistic care during the final stages of their illness.” Believing everyone has the right to die with dignity, Dr. Nathanson also advocated tirelessly for the legalization of medical aid in dying. Outside of work, he enjoyed classical music, snorkeling, flying kites, gardening, picnicking with his family, reading and cruising around the world with Donna. He was a proud and dedicated father and stepfather to seven daughters who he cherished immensely. He was a kind and gentle soul, whose legacy lives on forever. It is because of Dr. Nathanson that those facing serious illness and death can stay hopeful, knowing that they will be surrounded by love and compassion until their final departure.
