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Pioneering Cardiologist, Inventor, and Entrepreneur

Herbert Joseph Semler ’50

July 12, 2025

Herbert Semler was a pioneering cardiologist, inventor, and entrepreneur. Born in Portland in 1928, he was raised with three siblings—including Alysmae Nudelman ’46—and attended Reed for a short period, going on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 1949 (and obtaining his medical degree from the University of Oregon Medical School, now Oregon Health & Science University, in 1953).

After completing an internship at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis, Herbert served in the United States Air Force with the Strategic Air Command at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, until 1956. On a blind date orchestrated by his mother, he fell head over heels for Shirley Lesman, at the time a model at Meier & Frank. They married in 1955, and while Herbert was stationed at Fairchild, the first of their five children was born.

Two months later, Herbert joined the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, as a fellow in internal medicine and cardiology. During that training, he found his true calling in cardiology. He returned to his Portland roots in 1960 to begin his distinguished 60-year career as Oregon’s first cardiologist in private practice, affiliated with St. Vincent Hospital.

Herbert also taught as a professor of cardiology at OHSU, which culminated in over 90 peer-reviewed publications in cardiovascular medicine. He devoted his career to helping people live longer and more productive lives, exemplified by the medical device company he founded in 1969: Instromedix, Inc., which developed and marketed portable heart-monitoring equipment.

Internationally recognized in cardiology and medical technology, Herbert’s idea of transmitting patient vital signs over the phone has been used in the care of millions of patients worldwide. He is also known for cofounding Semler Scientific, Inc., which develops and markets medical devices and software to aid in the early detection of chronic diseases.

Known for being young at heart and fun-loving, Herbert was known as “Herb” to his friends and “Pops” to his grandchildren. His greatest pleasure was being with his soulmate, Shirley, with whom he established the Semler Scholarship  to support future generations of Reedies. 

Herbert is survived by Shirley, his wife of 70 years, and their five children.

Appeared in Reed magazine: Spring 2026

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