Samuel Thomas Westerman, age 91, of Tinton Falls, passed away April 19, 2026, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born Sept. 29, 1934, in Red Bank to Morris and Rebecca Westerman.
After receiving his medical degree at Hahnemann Medical College, Tom served a surgical residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center. He also completed an otolaryngology residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He practiced as an otolaryngologist in Shrewsbury for over 50 years.
During his years of practice, Tom was a clinical professor of Otolaryngology at Drexel University College of Medicine. He was a visiting professor of Otolaryngology at the Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel. He was chairman of the Surgical Case Review (tissue) Committee from 1985 to 1996. He published more than 70 times in the medical field and presented his research work internationally. He had a passion for research, which he conducted with Johns Hopkins and Rambam Hospital in Israel. He lectured to residents at Drexel University for many years. At the age of 91, he was working with 11 students at the Drexel Research Department.
Tom was a senior instructor for the American Academy of Otolaryngology. He held several patents for medical instrumentation. He was a member of the Board of Health in Shrewsbury for 20 years. He offered treatment at no charge at Parker Family Health Clinic in Red Bank and Our Lady of Providence in Neptune for 12 years.
Outside of work, Tom was happiest when he was spending time with his loving family, going for walks around his neighborhood, and being involved in research. He was a man of honor, dedication and unwavering kindness. His favorite stories often involved his career in medicine and his numerous trips to Israel with his family to visit his dear friend, Avishay Golz.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Liane; his children, Lisa Spiegel and husband Daniel, Michael Westerman, and Pamela Petrosino and husband Robert; his stepsons, David and Charlie Gilbert; and his four grandchildren, Bobbi Klepper and her husband Ben, Matthew Spiegel, April Petrosino and Chloe Petrosino and her fiancé Kaity Mason. He is also survived by his nephews, Jonathan Reinstein and his wife Stacie Bresler-Reinstein (children Julian and Miles), and Ken Reinstein and his wife Alisa Shorago.
Tom was predeceased by his dear sister, June Reinstein.
Funeral services will be private.
The article originally appeared in the April 30 – May 6, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
