David Alan Sapperstein

Dr. David Alan “Doc” Sapperstein, DPM was born in Washington, D.C. on January 3rd 1954 to the late William and Dorothy N. Sapperstein (nee Jones). He was Blessed to grow up with his older sister, Sondra Gaile Rosenthal, and his twin brother, Gary. He lived in Chevy Chase for the first eight years of his life and he and his family moved to Kensington, Maryland in 1962. He spent most of his childhood in Kensington until, at the age of 18, he left there to attend Wake Forest University. While attending college there, he joined Theta Chi fraternity. After attending Wake Forest for two years, David transferred to the University of Maryland, where he continued his active relationship with the fraternity by moving into the Theta Chi house. It was while David was attending the University of Maryland that he decided to pursue his interest in becoming a dentist. He changed directions to pursue a career as a podiatrist upon being exposed to that profession when he attended a workshop by students and doctors from a podiatry school.
In 1976, David relocated to Chicago and entered the “Class of 1980” at The Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine. During the first weeks as a student there, David met the man that would become his best friend for the rest of his life, Dr. Richard M. “Rich” Cowin. While the rigors of podiatry school proved challenging, David and Rich found time to relax and unwind at local discos, while adorning themselves in a fine level of fancy menswear associated with those times of the 1970’s. Working hard while studying, David was able to purchase a 3-bedroom home in Justice, Illinois where he lived with two roommates. Despite the need for him to study diligently, David found time to work part-time at J. Riggings men’s Clothing and to sell life insurance.
While David was a good student during his first two years of podiatry school, which were mainly basis sciences, he excelled to the top of his class immediately when the curriculum became more clinical and he had the opportunity to begin meeting, interacting with, and treating patients. David was a warm and friendly person who immediately made a wonderful impression on new patients that he would see and treat. He was also a very caring person; a trait that his patients could immediately sense and which he carried throughout his brilliant professional career.
In the late 1970’s, David’s best friend, Rich, was introduced to the newly emerging art of minimally invasive foot surgery. Rich immediately called David to tell him about this exciting new set of techniques and together, they decided to get the best training possible and to learn everything they could about it. A short time later, they decided to make it the cornerstone of their podiatry practices.
David received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree in 1980 with his justifiably proud family in attendance at his graduation ceremony. Rich, being a native of the Chicago area, invited his best friend, David, and his family to share his graduation party with him.
Following his graduation, David relocated to the Kansas City area and quickly opened his first podiatry office specializing in minimally invasive foot surgery. He also became an active member of The Academy of Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Surgery, where he would attend their seminars and where he would meet and mingle with like-minded podiatrists and orthopedists, while learning the latest advancements in minimally invasive and later, also in laser foot surgery.
Thanks to his wonderful personality, caring nature, and high skill set as a podiatric surgeon, David’s podiatry practice took off and quickly became successful. He then opened a second podiatry office to further expand his horizons and to offer his expert and somewhat unique skills to more foot sufferers.
In April 1984, David met his loving future life partner and wife, Cindi Erman. Cindi and David were married on August 18th, 1984 and their wonderful marriage lasted until the time of David’s passing on August 7, 2023. Together, David and Cindi worked hard for many years to make the podiatry practices a success, while making many new friends and helping many patients. On June 26 1988, Cindi and David became the proud parents of Julian Maximillian, their only son.
Throughout his life, David was an active fan and participant of many sports. Together, David and Gary attended many Washington Senators baseball games, along with college basketball and football games. David even played little league baseball. While attending high school, David was introduced to golf by his father, who bought David his first set of gold clubs. As his golf skills improved, David tried out for the Wake Forest Golf Team, but he just missed the final cut. However, he continued to enjoy playing golf into his later life.
As an adult, David favored professional football and he was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. He also rooted for the Kansas City Royals and he took great pride when they won their conference. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his lake house where he found much happiness while boating, waterskiing, and participating in other water sports, and just enjoying summers near the lake.
At the time of his passing, David was preparing to retire from the profession of podiatry after a long and brilliant career of helping thousands of his patients. But, David, wasn’t just a doctor to his patients; he was truly a friend to them, as well. His warmth and kindness, as well as his tremendous knowledge, experience, and skill as a podiatric surgeon will be very much missed by his patients and staff.
David is survived by his wonderful wife and partner, Cindi and their loving child. David and Cindi loved spending time together and especially traveling together. Throughout his meaningful life, David stayed very close with his twin brother Gary and his wife, Marlene, their twin daughters, Jennifer and Ginger, and their grandchildren, Ellie, Cameron, Devyn, and Paxton. He also stayed very close with his older sister, Sondra Rosenthal and her husband, Richard, as well as their children, Barry, Hilary, and Edward. David also loved and truly enjoyed spending time with his dogs, Ringo and Ping.
In addition to his love of his family, David loved and kept in touch with a group of friends from high school, college and podiatry school. He especially loved and enjoyed seeing and speaking frequently with his very best friend, colleague, and soul brother, Rich Cowin.
David was truly Blessed to have a wonderful personal, family and professional life and he will truly be missed by his amazing family, friends, colleagues, patients, and pets. We love you, David. We thank you for your love, friendship, companionship, and for your fabulous spirit. We hope and pray that you rest in peace, now and forevermore.