Obituary of Dr. Stanley Martin Ball

Palm Desert, California Dr. Stanley M. Ball, 92, a neurologist who served generations of Albany patients and medical students, died on March 19 in Palm Desert, California. Dr. Ball was born on January 23, 1925, the son of two Russian immigrants, Dr. Abraham Ball and Ethel Ball. (A sister, Bryna David, is deceased.) He graduated from Albany’s Milne High School and entered the University of Michigan at the age of 16. His education was interrupted by World War II, where he saw combat in the European theatre and was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded in battle in Germany. After the war, Dr. Ball completed his undergraduate degree at Union College, his MD at Albany Medical College, his neurology residency at Columbia Presbyterian, and a fellowship at the Neurological Institute in New York City. Upon returning to Albany, he practiced and taught neurology for more than 40 years. He served on the faculty of Albany Medical College, where a scholarship is endowed in his name for the education of neurological residents, and chaired the Department of Neurology at Albany Medical Center. Dr. Ball’s dedication to his patients went far beyond the hours of his private medical practice; he would often see them at his home on weekends. Both patients and colleagues sought his counsel well into retirement. On September 23, 1961, in Albany, Dr. Ball married the former Nancy Kulik, with whom he had two daughters and a son. He lived his entire working life in Albany, where he was an ardent supporter of Israel and chaired the campaign for the United Jewish Appeal. In addition to being one of the founding members of the Hebrew Academy of the Capital District, he participated in its lay leadership for many years, including serving as its president. A consummate host, Dr. Ball opened his home to political rallies, fundraisers for the State of Israel and other Jewish causes, musicales (often graced by the talents of his wife, a classically trained soprano), and countless parties catered by his father-in-law, the legendary Joe Kulik of Joe’s Restaurant on Madison Avenue. After his family, Dr. Ball’s passions included Schubert, Verdi, tennis, great literature, great restaurants, dark chocolate, and the New York Times and its crossword puzzle. He was a patron of the arts, a member of the Mendelssohn Club (the Albany men’s singing group), and a Life Master in bridge. A lifelong lover of learning, he took college courses into his 90s. Besides his beloved wife of 55 years, Nancy Ball, he is survived by his children and their spouses: Dr. Susan Ball Roane and Dr. David Roane; Karen Spector and Rabbi Geoffrey Spector; and David Ball and Bonnie Slyn. And by six grandchildren: Eli Roane, Arielle Roane, Joshua Spector, Jordan Spector, Benjamin Ball, and Jennifer Ball. Services will be held in the Mendleson Chapel located on the grounds of the Beth Emeth Cemetery on Turner Lane in Loudonville, NY on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 2:00pm. Those wishing to remember Dr. Ball in a special way may make a memorial contribution to the Albany Medical Center Foundation, 43 New Scotland Avenue MC119 Albany, NY 12208-3478 or the Anti Defamation League, 605 Third Avenue, New York , NY 10158