Harold John Berman, a dermatologist who practiced in Alexandria for more than 54 years, died June 28 at Suburban Hospital of respiratory complications. He was 87.

“His patients were everything to him,” said his wife Barbara. “He was treating patients right up until his retirement last year. Hard work truly was his joy.”

Berman, who opened his first office on S. Washington Street in 1959, later expanded his practice to locations on Seminary Road, Southern Towers and the Medical Building. He retired in 2014

“He opened his office six days a week,” Barbara Berman said. “And at 6:30 a.m. on Saturdays, patients would be waiting in the hall for the doors to open — usually golfers or railroad workers just off of work.”

Berman was an active member of the Alexandria Medical Society serving as treasurer and vice president and an active member of the D.C. Dermatological Society serving as president and treasurer. He was an associate professor at Georgetown University in dermatology for over 25 years. For 20 years, Berman volunteered at the Alexandria Health Department treating venereal diseases.

Born Jan. 12, 1928 in Washington, D.C., Berman attended West Elementary School, McFarland Junior High and Roosevelt High School. He continued his studies at Georgetown University, New York University of Medicine and did his residency at Belleview Hospital. Following service in the Air Force Medical Corps at Scott Air Force Base in St. Louis, Berman then attended the Mayo Clinic to become a dermatologist.

In 1959, he returned to the D.C. metropolitan area to begin practicing medicine in Alexandria. His first wife predeceased him in 1964, leaving him a widower with five young children. He remarried and added another child to his family.

In his free time, Berman traveled with his family camping at most of the National Parks including Canada and Alaska. Memorable trips included Antarctica, the Galapagos, Japan and Europe.

“Harold was a wonderful father,” Barbara Berman said. In addition to his wife Barbara, he is survived by his children Stephen, Mitchel, Claudia (Tsipora) Leslie and Eve. A son Geoffrey predeceased him.

Contributions may be made to the Mayo Clinic or to any charity of choice.