By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Gastroenterologist Dr. Nathan Shapiro died Feb. 9 of cancer at University Hospital. The Hyde Park resident was 91.

He was born in Cincinnati and was a graduate of Hughes High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in pre-medical studies from the University of Cincinnati, where he earned three varsity letters playing on the UC tennis team. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Dr. Shapiro graduated from UC Medical School in 1934. He did three years of postgraduate training in internal medicine. He later did a fellowship in gastroenterology and then another with the National Cancer Institute for research in gastric cancer.

He married his wife, Gwendolyn, of North Avondale, in 1938.

Dr. Shapiro completed his fellowship and entered the U.S. Army in 1944 to serve four years. He was first stationed at Lowell General Hospital in Massachusetts but was later transferred to the Philippines where he served as chief of gastroenterology and chief of medicine at the 248th General Hospital in Manila.

After his military service, Dr. Shapiro returned to Cincinnati. He entered the private practice of internal medicine and gastroenterology and practiced medicine for more than 50 years. He had served as a senior attending physician at Jewish Hospital and as a clinical professor of medicine at UC's Medical School. He retired in 1997.

"He was a loving father and grandfather, said his daughter, Joan Shapiro Katz of Tucson, Ariz.

His memberships included the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine; the Cincinnati Society of Internal Medicine; Southwest Ohio Society of Endoscopy; Ohio State Medical Society; the American Medical Association, the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Gastroenterology.

In addition to his wife of 66 years and his daughter, survivors include a son, Dr. J. Robert Shapiro, of Darien, Conn; and four grandchildren.

Services have been held. He was buried at the Cedars of Lebanon Chapel, Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials: Plum Street Temple Preservation Fund, c/o Isaac M. Wise Temple, 8329 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 or the charity of one's choice.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com