In Loving Memory of Husband, Father, Friend, Physician, Donald Rafael Henderson, MD, MPH Obituary
"He'd want us to celebrate and not mourn for him," and then in a near whisper Monica continued, "he was so special."
The little boy who walked the dirt roads in Jacksonville, Florida on his way to a segregated, old wooden schoolhouse, was the same young man who completed his internship at Harvard Medical School.
From as early as anyone could remember, Donald Rafael Henderson, the third of four children born to the union of William Edward Henderson, Sr. and Bernice Johnson Henderson, was committed to a life of caring for others. After his childhood best friend died of cancer, 8 year old Donald told anyone who would listen, that he would grow up to become a doctor and search for a cure to cancer. Still a young boy, he doubled-down on his commitment of caring for all human beings, after the loss of his grandfather, who Donald perceived, was worthy of better medical attention than he had received.
Born January 15, 1946 and reared in Jacksonville, Florida, Donald grew up in a tight-knit family. The social-center for many Black families in the South during the ‘pre-civil rights era’, was the church. The Henderson’s found their unity, support and strength at New Bethel Baptist church where Donald was baptized. It was in this culture of connectedness to family and friends that Donald’s values were being shaped. Described as charismatic, with a natural, effortless, magnetic personality, Donald’s love of people was nurtured by his Mother, Grandmother and big-sis Carolyn, who says, “he was far from perfect, but he was so special.”
Donald’s love of music for the classics like, - Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Goin’ On?’; anything sung by Smokey Robinson; ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ – from The Wiz; or a soul stirring Gospel such as ‘Amazing Grace’, - this was a musical love developed as a member of his High School’s marching band. Music and Academics were his passions at Matthew W. Gilbert High School. While in the 10th grade, Donald’s intelligence and academic test scores permitted him early entrance into college. But “no such thing” said Mama Bernice. She knew her son would be far more equipped to head to Washington, DC and Howard University after a couple more years of maturing. Mama was right.
This young man full of promise, would go on to earn his undergraduate degree from Howard University, followed by a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Florida. He subsequently completed his internship at Harvard Medical School, residency in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and his Gastroenterology fellowship at David Geffen School of
Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Henderson received a Master’s in Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
The sunny shores of Florida were a favorite family get-together for the Henderson’s. When word got around that Donald was returning home for a visit, the relatives would gather for long days on the beach, enjoying tasty blue crabs and sharing endless laughter.
It was the remarkable life lessons learned from time spent with family and friends that informed his professional decisions regarding his patients. Dr. Henderson was a Gastroenterologist who practiced in Los Angeles for over 40 years. He was integral to the medical community and highly regarded by his patients and colleagues for the compassionate and patient centric care he provided. He took great pride in the fact that he had access to world class medicines, which allowed him to provide great care, and he made that world-class care available to all his patients. As a Black man, Donald recognized the disparity in the numbers of African American physicians and people’s lack of access to health care. Those inequities triggered his mission to teach and empower Black men to be their own health advocates. Even until this day his patients will tell you, ‘he would not let you give up on yourself’.
In October 1978, Donald married his first wife, Jamesina Burns (Henderson). Their 2 children Dax Rafael and Shasta Elizabeth are filled with precious memories of their Father. He tirelessly gave of himself to his children. Shasta and Dax agree, “Despite his growing career, we always knew we were important, he always made himself available.”
“He was my superhero,” said Shasta of her earliest impressions of her Father. “He’d sit me on his lap and we’d read the ‘Funnies’ every Sunday.” Now a practicing physician herself, Shasta adds, “I began making the rounds with him when I was 5 years old.”
His favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. It was about gathering of family and friends without the pretense of gift giving that accompanies other celebrations. Gratitude was immensely important to Donald and he would frequently encourage others to journal about how it functions in their life. The holiday provided perfect teachable moments for his then young children, on staying connected with family. Dad would say, “Let people know how you feel.” His children reflect, “As important as remaining connected to family and friends, he also stressed the importance of education, and expecting greatness from his children.”
Among many powerful impressions of his Father, Dax recalls, “It was about 1992 when I witnessed how deeply he valued people. His kindness and spirit of acceptance of all people was displayed when my parents opened their home, converting the pool house into a place where a family friend dying from AIDS could spend his last days.” Dax admitted, “This is the biggest heart break I have ever experienced.”
A true friend, family man and professional, he built a thriving medical practice in Los Angeles, was active in the community, and was a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Sentinel. Most
recently, he sought to share his journey to wellness and prevention through partnerships he had forged with his wellness company, ENCORE.
Donald’s professional success was eclipsed by the joy of his heart. He described his relationship with wife Monica, as simply ‘MAGICAL’. The love story between Donald and Monica entered new heights when they married May 9, 2015. “He’s kind and easy going,” shares Monica, “very reliable, with a warm spirit, authentic, joking all the time and he could tell the best stories. He was always curious, possessed a brilliant mind, and loved few things more than golf and reading. I loved the way he’d make our adventures memorable, inspiring me to slow down and enjoy the journey. Those qualities made him a good partner.” Monica draws strength from her loving thoughts and continues, “We were best friends who could do nothing or everything. . .and be Content, I always felt safe.”
Friends will miss Donald’s candor, dependability and sense of humor that he’d also use to diffuse tough situations. His golf buddies will miss his unfailing, irreplaceable presence on the course. His medical patients will miss their trusted physician who managed with authority as an open and honest practitioner. Passionate about History, Geography and Photography, his Gathering of Friends will miss his intellectual stimulation.
Donald Rafael Henderson realized his boy-hood dreams through marriage, children, family and friends, professional success, great pastimes, travel and intellectual pursuits. He spent over 70 years sharing life with many of us along the way. Today, he’d want us to celebrate his life, celebrate the times you had together and remember him fondly. Donald will be missed by his wife Monica, children Dax Rafael, Shasta Elizabeth and Eric Christopher Holt, siblings Carolyn Henderson-Jones, Darryl Henderson, Sr., Eleanor Joyce Henderson Hatten, and Gail Hamilton Parker.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William Edward Henderson, Sr. & Bernice Johnson Henderson, and brothers William Edward Henderson, Jr. and Joaquin Barerra.
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In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the memorial fund established in his honor for the Charles R. Drew University medical school in Los Angeles by texting DHMF to 44321.
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