Dr. Morris Alex, respected physician, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, celebrates his 90th birthday this Sept. 12 with a party given by his children. His zest for life and love of learning underscore the energy and curiosity that characterize him.

Dr. Alex was born in St. Joseph, Mo. There, at age 6, he met the love of his life, Pearl, to whom he was married for 63 wonderful years.

As a cardiologist with a busy internal medicine practice, he always took time to listen to his patients. For that, he was known in the St. Louis community as the “heart doctor with a heart.”

In his honor, his family created a fund at Washington University Medical School, which annually awards a prize to that student who exemplifies his good bedside manner. Although retired after 41 years in private practice, he continues to work as a medical adviser to the administrative law judges for Social Security disability. He has traveled several times to Israel; more recently traveling to Scotland and France. He donated a new prayer book to B’nai Amoona with English and transliterated Hebrew prayers so that everyone could participate in the service.

He continues to serve on boards for OACAP and B’nai Amoona, where he is also a Minyanaire. He created a website, www.Diltay.com, (Doctor, I’d like to ask you) so that patients would know important questions to ask their doctor.

At 90, he continues to question, learn and share; always giving to others. Happy Birthday to a very special man!