By Mardee Gruen
William H. “Bill” Orenstein was so interested in politics that one of the last programs he watched on television was the broadcast of the Iowa Democratic Caucus.
His family said he kept asking to have the volume turned up so he could hear better in his Glendale home. “He was known as a political liberal and (Sen.) Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) was his favorite.”
Also, he was known in the community for his untiring support for Jewish causes, especially Israel, where he and his wife Ruth had traveled 25 times. “For many years, they spent the month of October there. They just loved being there at that time of year,” said his son-in-law, Bert Bilsky.
He died Jan. 24 at the age of 88.
According to longtime friend Mel Zaret, executive vice president emeritus of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, “Bill was a person of vision. His interest in history resulted in a constant look at the past. He knew what preceded the present and that knowledge gave him the vision with which to help mold the future. He gave of himself for the sake of giving, not to seek praise.
“He was a community builder and when he led, he created a group spirit of kinship, mutual concern and collaboration. He led, but did not dominate. He was an honorable man who always behaved in a principled way.”
Orenstein was born in Chicago and moved to Milwaukee in 1930. He graduated from Washington High School in 1934 and from Marquette University in 1940, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemical engineering.
For 45 years, he worked with his brother-in-law, Hyman Friedman, in their family business, Friedman Tobacco Co., until he retired in 1987. “In all those years, there was never a fight or cross word between them,” Bilsky added.
He was the Milwaukee Jewish Federation campaign chair from 1979-80, “because he was overcome by the cause,” Bilsky said. Also, he served on its board of directors for over 20 years and was an officer and member of the executive committee.
A member of Congregation Sinai, he was inquisitive and had a passion for reading. In his younger years, he loved to play sports, despite frequent injuries, his family recalled.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth Orenstein (nee Friedman) of Glendale; daughter Marlene (Bert) Bilsky of Milwaukee; son Dr. Allan (Janie) Orenstein of Los Angeles; sister-in-law Minnie Friedman of Milwaukee; and four grandchildren.
Rabbi David Cohen officiated at the funeral on Jan. 26. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery.
The family would appreciate memorials to the William & Ruth Orenstein Scholarship Fund, c/o the Jewish Community Foundation, the endowment development program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
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