Mal was a loving husband, a generous father and grandfather, and a loyal friend to those fortunate to be close to him.  As a physician, his desire was to help and heal those in need.  His many professional distinctions and honors demonstrated a dedication to his craft and the magnitude of faith that he had in his fellow man.

Family First.  Throughout his life, Mal was always on the cutting edge of recreation, and enjoyed most the opportunity to share amazing experiences with his children and grandchildren.  He took great joy in bringing the three generations of his family together annually for eleven consecutive years, to destinations near and far, from Florida to Oregon, and Vancouver to Costa Rica.  Mal always gave the credit for the success of these family trips to his son’s partners, Vivian, Caroline, and Colleen.  Snow skiing was certainly his favorite recreational pastime, but Mal was always up for any number of adventure sports, including Costa Rican waterfall zip-lining at age 84 and white water rafting at 85.  Mal’s wonderful presence in the Bloch clan will be missed dearly.  He leaves behind his four children, Lisa, Jeff, Russ and Steve, and three grandchildren, Cooper, Sydney and Hayley.

Purposeful Professional.  He was a distinguished eye surgeon with accolades and positions that reflected his professional prowess.  But while medicine was his vocation, Mal’s avocation was to serve as ombudsman for the people.  After retiring from his medical practice, Mal served as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association as well as various stock exchanges including both the NYSE and ASE.  Rooted perhaps in his early training as a Boy Scout, Mal believed in the American system – that we all should have a voice and we must be engaged for our society to achieve its potential.  He testified his expertise before the NJ State Legislature, the U.S. Congress and wrote op-ed letters to the New York Times – all because he believed that he could make a positive difference for his fellow man.  He requested the following poem as his eulogy:

Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

 Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

 And saw, within the moonlight of his room.

 Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold ~

 Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

 And to the presence in the room he said,

 "What writest thou?”

The vision raised its head, and

                                                             with a look made of all sweet accord, said,

                                                               "The name of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?"  Asked Abou.

 "Nay, not so,” replied the angel.

Abou spoke more low, but cheerily still; he said

"I pray thee then,

Write me as one that loves his fellow-men."

The angel wrote, and then vanished.

The next night, the angel came again

With a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God

had blessed,

And lo!

Abou Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

- Leigh Hunt, 1 838