Steven B. Karch, M.D., a retired cardiac pathologist, who lived in the Berkeley hills, died at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California, on November 22, 2024.

He was born in New Jersey. His mother, Miriam Karch, was a librarian; his father, Samuel Karch, was an engineer.

Dr. Karch received his undergraduate degree from Brown University. He attended graduate school in anatomy and cell biology at Stanford University. He received his Medical Degree from Tulane University, did postgraduate training in Neuropathology at the Royal London Hospital and in Cardiac Pathology, at Stanford University. Dr. Karch was a Fellow of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians London. He served as a cardiac pathologist at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in San Francisco, publishing a number of books and papers when he worked there. He was the author of over 200 papers and book chapters, most having to do with the effects of drug abuse on the heart. He has published 12 books and was working on several more prior to his death. His last two books, Karch's Pathology of Drug Abuse, and Karch's Drug Abuse Handbook are considered standard texts internationally and frequently cited by researchers worldwide. He was a Forensic Science Editor for Humana Press where he edited his own series. He was an associate editor for the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine (former North American Editor), and the Journal of Cardiovascular Toxicology. Dr. Karch was elected as a Wellcome fellow to the Royal Society of Medicine in 1972 and was also a fellow of both the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME); he was a member of GTFI (the Italian Forensic Toxicologists Association), the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists and the Society of Forensic Toxicologists.

He was an expert witness for the U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Services in the prosecution of Dr. Harold Shipman, a physician who was convicted of killing more than 200 of his patients.

He was an expert witness in the defense of Dr. Anna Pou, the New Orleans physician accused of murdering patients during Hurricane Katrina. His testimony and reports were given to the Grand Jury, which decided not to indict her.

In addition to his work, he was an avid swimmer, reader, and Napoleon Bonaparte scholar. He also enjoyed traveling, and spending time at his home in The Sea Ranch, where he especially enjoyed watching whales and harbor seals.

He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Donna, his sister Jacqueline, brother-in-law William Keach, sisters-in-law Marilyn Beaulieu (Roger) and Cathy Girouard, nieces and nephews and two cats.

Funeral services will be private.