Dr. Kenneth Howard Bleifer, one of the most outstanding nephrologists in Southern California, was born on August 14, 1929, in the Bronx, New York. Ken was the son of John Bleifer, a distinguished actor on the Yiddish stage and Grace Bleifer, a talented ballet dancer. The family relocated to Los Angeles in 1932, where Ken and his two brothers Daniel and his twin Selvyn, grew up.
Ken attended Beverly Hills High School where he excelled both academically and athletically, earning all-league honors in basketball. Following his high school graduation, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force before returning to Los Angeles to pursue his medical education. In 1955, he graduated with honors from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine as a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society.
In April 1964, Ken married the love of his life, Sandra. Together, they built a beautiful life raising two children.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ken was a man of diverse passions. An avid fisherman, he found peace and joy on the water. A connoisseur of fine food and wine, he was a longtime member of the San Fernando Valley Wine and Food Society, where he shared his love for culinary arts with family and friends.
Ken’s contributions to medicine were transformative. As one of the pioneers in nephrology in the Los Angeles area, he founded one of the first dialysis units in the San Fernando Valley and established one of the principal internal medicine and nephrology medical groups in the region. For over sixty years he practiced medicine with compassion and expertise, touching countless lives. His exceptional impact on the treatment of kidney diseases earned him recognition from the National Kidney Foundation, which honored him for his dedication and innovation.
