 | | | | | | | | | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Apr 21 2013 12:04 |  Richard Joel, loving husband and father, advertising educator and arts supporter, long-term resident of Tallahassee Florida and Highlands North Carolina, died of natural causes in his sleep on April 15, 2013, at his home at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee. He was 96. For 85 years opera was his passion. It started at the age of 11 when he attended a Metropolitan Opera performance of Norma in Atlanta, and until the very end, he would tune in daily to satellite radio to listen to Met opera broadcasts.
Richard Joel was born December 31, 1916 in Athens, Georgia. He was a member of ODK and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA degree from the University of Georgiaand later earned a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin. During WWII he served in the Air Force and after that he embarked on an academic career as a professor at Emory University where he founded and directed The Advertising Institute. He later taught at Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Wisconsin, and finally the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he chaired the advertising department in the College of Communications. He retired as Professor Emeritus of advertising and was named by UT one of the outstanding professors of the year. After that he returned to Tallahassee where he became a consistent supporter of music at The College of Music at FSU.
He also pursued his hobby as an amateur actor. He was a five-time winner of the best actor award at Tallahassee Little Theater. He worked actively with community theaters in all the cities where he served as a university professor. At Florida State he was president of Phi Beta Kappa, he was active on the Artists Series Committee, and he served on the board of the Tallahassee Little Theater.
While at UT he was on the board and served as public relations director of the Knoxville Opera. At the same time he served as national president of both the Alpha Delta Sigma advertising fraternity and the American Academy of Advertising. For three summers early in his career he worked with Clyde Bedell, internationally recognized advertising practitioner and author, whose textbook he assisted in writing and editing.
In Knoxville he became a good friend of Robert Lyall, then general director of the Knoxville Opera Company and later director of the New Orleans Opera. For the next 25 years, Richard would travel annually to New York with him where he assisted in auditioning over 3,000 opera singers. They would also squeeze in as many Metropolitan Opera performances as their schedules would allow.
While at UT he and his wife Edith were attracted to the climate and natural beauty of Highlands, NC, where they began spending a portion of each year over 35 years ago. Together they became actively involved in local theater and art functions. Inspired by the exposure to the opera talent in New York and elsewhere, Richard Joel, at 75, created Bel Canto, a musical concert which brought some of the most talented voices in the country to Highlands. His wife Edith actively supported the initiative to become a fundraiser for the Bascom-Louise Gallery where she was serving as a docent. For fifteen years, until the age of 90, Richard relied on and guided a steering committee made up of some of Highlands' most civic-minded and loyal supporters of the arts. Bel Canto became a highly anticipated event which sold-out annually. As chairman he identified and attracted the talent, he helped create the program, he drew on his advertising experience and originated the publicity by writing the articles for local publications. In addition he handled the ticket sales while overseeing the steering committee for effective implementation of his vision. After he turned over the position as chairman, his successor observed that it took three people to accomplish all the tasks that Richard had done himself for fifteen years. When he attended the 20th annual recital as chairman emeritus, the fund raising had not only been used to purchase numerous significant pieces for the permanent collection at the Gallery, but had been broadened to include music and choral programs in local schools and the community child development center. Truly a lasting legacy.
In addition, during the years in Highlands he was very active in the local theater. He was well into his eighties when he played his last lead role -- in "The Sunshine Boys." And until his last summer in Highlands he continued his decades long volunteer work with Mountain Findings, a fund raising endeavor supporting numerous area charities and needs.
Richard Joel is survived by his daughter Madge Joel Ringbakk and her husband Chuck of Tavares, Florida; his son Richard Raymon Joel and his wife Elaine of Tavares, Florida; as well as two grandsons Rick Ringbakk and Jeremy Joel both of Los Angeles, California. He was married to his beloved Edith for 59 years until her death in 2001.
Richard Joel was not only a university professor. He was for so many a Life teacher. For his 90th birthday his daughter contacted a number of his former students, many by then also retired. She received dozens of responses telling in moving detail how much he had meant to them in and out of the classroom and how they had kept up over the decades. His passion for the arts and opera in particular has demonstrated that age is a state of mind. By following his bliss and engaging life fully, his Journey became a rich beacon for all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In six words:
NINETYSIX YEARS
NO FEARS
OPERA EARS | |
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Apr 10 2013 14:52 |  The radio was on but I was not paying attention.
Just another story about a bombing in Afghanistan.
Just another senseless suicide bomber so far away.
I didn't pay attention to the details.
It was only the second or third time that I heard the story
that I noticed the reference to an idyllic Midwestern town.
Only then that I noticed it was our town.
I had never heard the name Smedinghoff before.
Moments later my email inbox began to fill
With notices from neighbors who knew her
Soon I began to learn details of Anne's life,
Her optimism, her generosity, her caring.
Soon I shared in spreading the request that neighbors
Wrap their trees with white ribbons in her honor.
Soon I found myself in a long line of cars at a local church
Where volunteers passed out white ribbons and tiny flags
And accepted gifts of new and gently used children's books in return.
I am not one fo...
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Feb 25 2013 19:10 | Margery B. Wile, who died January 6, 2011, at the age of 98, graduated from the University Of Chicago Medical School in 1935, one of a half handful of women. The children of a physician, she and her brother were encouraged to apply to medical school by their father who was, at the time, Chief of Surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland. Her brother, William H. Blahd, became a pioneer in the field of Nuclear Medicine. Dr. Wile worked in pathology in Chicago and Boston.
After World War II, when her family settled in the New York City area, she took a psychiatric residency at what was then Hillside Hospital in Queens, New York. She also studied at the Post Graduate School for Psychotherapy and the William Alanson White Institute where she was supervised by Clara Thompson. She maintained a private practice with offices on Long Island and in Manhattan. She later practiced in Washington, D.C. for about twenty- five years. During that time she also headed a project working to improve j...
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Feb 25 2013 17:37 | BLAHD, William H. MD.1921 - 2011 Passed away on March 6th 2011, from complications of Polycythemia. Dr. William Blahd, born in Cleveland, Ohio was the son of Dr. Moses Emmett Blahd a prominent surgeon who studied in Vienna and Rae Blahd. Dr. William Blahd known as Bill by his friends and family, was predeceased by his sister Margery Blahd Wile M.D. Bill was known to all as a quiet, modest, but accomplished scientific physician and gentleman. Dr. Blahd attended Western Reserve, and graduated from the University of Arizona and received his medical degree from Tulane University. He served as a Captain in the Medical Corps, US Army, from 1946-48. He trained at King's County Hospital, Brooklyn and the Wadsworth Veterans Hospital, Los Angeles. One of the pioneers in the field of nuclear medicine, Dr. William Blahd was the editor and contributing author of, Nuclear Medicine, the first definitive textbook of nuclear medicine, which became an international standard for the field. Interestingly in 1972, Dr. William Blahd received his board certification in nuclear medicine by studying his own textbook for what was then the first nuclear medicine board examination for The American Board of Nuclear Medicine. Originally appointed as Chief of the Nuclear Medicine Department at Wadsworth's Hospital in 1952, Dr. Blahd served in that position for 41 years while simultaneously serving as Director of the Nuclear Medicine Residency and Technology Training programs. From 1966, Dr. Blahd served as Professor of Medicine at UCLA and as Vice-Chairman of the commission on Human Use of Radioisotopes and he was a consult for the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine & Radiation Biology. Dr. Blahd was elected President of the National Society of Nuclear Medicine and served as President of the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. Dr. Blahd's leadership centered on the Diagnostic and therapeutic applications for nuclear medicine. His wife, Mitzi Blahd, who survives him, joined with him in 1977 to revitalize the Education & Research Foundation of the Society of Nuclear Medicine, which raises contributions to fund research projects, scholarships, training and grants to doctors and technologists alike. Dr. Blahd, Chairman of the Publication Committee of the Society of Nuclear Medicine published in his lifetime upwards of 250 articles and abstracts. A member of 15 professional organizations, Dr Blahd received numerous "Distinguished Scientist", Lecturer and public service awards and accolades. His belief in the future of nuclear medicine motivated him to tirelessly establish new departments in area hospitals, such as St. Joseph's, Valley Presbyterian and Cedars- Sinai, among others. Embracing his life's work with a single-mined passion for science, he was happiest researching and deeply exploring how to use nuclear technology to improve and lengthen life. During his lifetime Dr. Blahd's dream, of having nuclear medicine become an important element of medical diagnosis was realized. Bill who lived in Pacific Palisades since 1948, loved the surrounding nature and beauty of Rustic Canyon. He enjoyed fine dining and home cooked meals, traveling and his wife's companionship. Dr. Blahd is survived by his wife of 40 years Mitzi, his three children; Andrea Blake (Klaus Rinke),William Blahd, Jr. (Liz), and Karen Giffin (Philip) as well as five grandchildren, Adam Rinke, Sophie and Tony Blahd, and Willa and Emmett Giffin and step-daughter Susan Ward (Jim Scott) and step-granddaughter Elizabeth Ward. And our devoted friend Professor Harvey Stromberg. Donations in his memory may be sent to the Education & Research Foundation, P.O. Box 5877, Bossier City, LA 71171, for which we would be most grateful. Published in the Los Angeles Times on March 20, 2011 | |
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Feb 19 2013 12:00 | I recieved the following email yesterday from a 4th cousin, Dr. Efrem Goldberg. Efrem is from another branch of my family, but his story made my day and is a perfect example of one of the amazing benefits of family research! With his permission, I'm sharing his email to me! Dear Linda,
I want to share with you an interesting story.
Last night, I was at a wedding of a friend of mine (the groom). Suddenly, in walks a Nulman cousin (Mordechai Adelman). When I greeted him and asked him what his connection to the wedding is, he said, "What do you mean? We're family with the bride!" Of course, nobody could figure out how we were related, if indeed we were at all.
Then today, I suddenly remembered the website you run. Sure enough, the bride (Simone Shapiro) is my 4th cousin. Of course, I took the liberty of adding the new groom to the family tree.
So, thank you for all of your hard work, which connects us all ...
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Dec 26 2012 19:46 | YEKKE
(by an anonymous poet) When you’re a Yekke
You find satisfaction
In knowing your name
Is of German extraction
Other good names
You treat with disdain
For only true Yekkes
Know what’s in a name.
Felsenstahl, Katzenstein, Ullmann und Breuer
Westheimer, Hildesheimer.
Merbach und Meyer, Metzger und Vronker,
Sussbach und Tietz, Pappenheim, Würzburger,
Glücksstadt und Dietz.
When you’re a Yekke
You’ve lots of obsessions
Time and a watch
Are your cherished possessions.
If there’s a meeting
Called promptly for eight
And you arrive early,
The whole world is late!
Steinschneider, Frankfurter,
Rheinheimer, Kahn,
Jeselsohn, Neuhaus,
Brendheim and Hahn
Bravermann, Neubeck
Schmidt, Sondheimer, Haas,
Herzfeld and Grünspecht
And Dulden and Maas
Bei...
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Aug 29 2012 22:30 | As some of you might know, kidney disease is rampant in the Hochster family and in the past was a source for the early deaths of many of our relatives. Today, thanks to the marvels of modern medicine, lives are being saved through kidney transplants. My father is one example, he is 82 years old and more than 20 years after receiving a donated kidney. Another example is Elizabeth Hochster-Hurst. Elizabeth is the mother of a five year old daughter. Her father, Rolf, died at the age of 49 from kidney disease. Elizabeth received a kidney transplant nine months ago and her life has changed dramatically. You can read her inspiring story in the link below. http://www.emcstittsvillerichmond.ca/20120823/news/Kidney+transplant+restores+good+health#.UDb0hfRul4g.facebook Elizabeth is participating in the Give the Gift of Life Walk for the Kidney Foundation of Canada in September. She is one of the top fundraisers! If you are so inclined to contribute to this importa...
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Mar 23 2012 13:25 |  "Trudel Adler, my mother, came to the United States 1934 when she was 21 years old. She frequently wrote long letters home to her family in Germany and asked them to save her letters and they did — over two hundred handwritten pages. Trudel was an amazing young woman who grew into a fascinating warm wonderful woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was funny, serious, forthright, and considerate. She worked hard all of her life and gave to the world more than she ever got. The tale of the rest of her life was full of challenge,sadness and joy. These early years are more than that. They reveal the strength of character, the chutspa, the love, that helped her through all those years. Preparing her letters for this blog has been like entering a conversation with her and getting to know the young woman I never met". Thus begins the fascinating blog Leonard Grossman is writing about his mother. Read in her own words about the life of...
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Mar 20 2012 12:42 |  Davis, Martha Gries
1934 - 2012
77, of Naples, FL passed peacefully from this world on March 13, 2012. She loved art, nature, travel and above all, her family. Married to Joseph for 56 years, loving mother of Betsy (Banks), Kathy (Guay), Mark and James, caring mother-in-law of Bill Banks, Paul Guay, Karen Davis and Geri Davis, and proud grandmother of eight: Laura, Jeffrey, Kevin, Brian, Jonathan, Jessica, Jacob and Ben. Her sister Jeannie Gries Homeier and her brother David Gries also survive her.
Born on March 21, 1934 in Akron, OH, to Lillian and Lincoln Gries, she attended Old Trail School and Katharine Gibbs School. Continuing her education, she received an Associates degree from Lasell Junior College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University and a Masters degree from University of Denver. With her husband's successful retail career, the family lived in Denver, CO, Pittsburgh, PA, Hartford, CT, and Akron, OH and then returned to Denver before moving to Naples, FL in 2010. While raising four children, she bought and sold antiques and was founder and president of Executive Relocation Services.
Marty lived life to the fullest, always focused on making the world a better place for others. Her commitment to volunteerism was truly remarkable. She participated in the Junior League for 56 years. In Denver, she was Junior League Garden Club Founder and President, ArtReach board member, Craig Hospital board member and Foundation President, Denver Botanic Garden board member, National Repertory Orchestra board member and Summit Foundation advisory board member. She was also involved in The Denver Partnership, Children's Hospital Colorado, Cancer League of Colorado, Denver Art Museum Flower Council, and Castle Pines Garden Club.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 1 at 3 pm at The Club Pelican Bay, 707 Gulf Park Drive, Naples, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/MarthaDavis , The Neighborhood Health Clinic, 121 Goodlette- Frank Road, Naples, FL 34102 or The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1450 Merrihue Drive, Naples, FL 34102 | |
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| | | Posted by: Linda Silverman Shefler
on Mar 12 2012 07:18 | HARMON S. EBERHARD, FORMER PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CATERPILLAR INC., DIES PEORIA, Ill., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmon S. Eberhard, former president and chairman of the board of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), died this morning at Americana Healthcare Center in Peoria at age 92. Born in Stockton, Calif., March 9, 1900, his career with Caterpillar spanned more than 50 years. "All members of the Caterpillar family are saddened by Mr. Eberhard's death," said Donald V. Fites, Caterpillar chairman. "He played a critical role in the building of Caterpillar and was particularly well known worldwide for his relentless pursuit of manufacturing the highest quality products. He was vigorous and decisive, but also a modest man who possessed integrity of principle and a warm consideration for others." Just out of high school, Eberhard's first job at the age of 16 was as a draftsman for The Holt Manufacturing Company -- one of the two co...
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