Obituaries, August 2020 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Obituaries, August 2020 

 

Ferdinand H. Feiss 

Ferdinand H. Feiss died July 10, 2020. He was 93.   

Beloved husband of Sarah Feiss (nee Kast). Cherished father of Dr. Leonard Feiss, Shelah (Mark Likoff, Esq.) Feiss, Esq., and Hon. David (Patricia Hanz, Esq.) Feiss.  Loving grandfather of Daniel Likoff, Dr. Robyn (fiancé Alex Recker) Feiss and Molly Feiss.  Further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. 

A private graveside service was held at Greenwood Cemetery. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family.    

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun or the Milwaukee Jewish Federation appreciated. 

Robert “Bob” G. Luskin 

Robert “Bob” G. Luskin, age 72, died peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Deerfield, Illinois, on Wednesday, July 1.  

Born April 14, 1948, Bob was the eldest son of Irving and Beverly (Kalb) Luskin. His great grandparents and grandfather, Hyman Kalb, arrived in Kenosha around 1915, fleeing the pogroms in eastern Europe. After marriage, Beverly and Irving Luskin family made their home in Kenosha for more than 30 years. They were active in the Jewish community and members of Beth Hillel Temple, where Bob celebrated his bar mitzvah in 1961 and confirmation in 1964. On his return tours of Kenosha, Bob often enjoyed a hamburger and a root beer at The Spot Drive-In on 22nd Avenue. Bob studied insurance and risk management at the University of Wisconsin in Madison before launching a successful career with Northwestern Mutual Life’s Granum Agency in downtown Chicago. Later, as Bob expanded his practice and focused his business, he ran his own consulting firm, Benefit Strategies, Inc. Bob was the beloved husband of Lynne Lava Luskin for 25 years.  

Loving father of Scott (Rebecca) Luskin and Alexis (Michael) Friedman and a cherished friend of their mother, Rae Olin Luskin. Devoted stepfather of Cheri Laser (Michael) Greenspan, Adam (Traci) Lava, Susan (Howard) Coleman. Proud grandfather of 12. Dear brother of Ronald (Terry Ruzicka) Luskin. Bob will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather.  

A graveside funeral service was held in Arlington Heights, Illinois on July 3, officiated by Rabbi Wendi Geffen of North Shore Congregation Israel. Memorial contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the Jewish United Fund, www.juf.org or The Research of Dr. Everett Vokes c/o The University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation, Uccrf.UChicago.edu. Chicago Jewish Funerals assisted the family. 

David Bradley Neimark 

On June 5, 2020, David Bradley Neimark, age 62, of Brookfield had a heart attack and died peacefully at home in his sleep.   

David attended John Marshall High School, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and earned a law degree at Concord Law School. He was Vice President of Kramer Auto Parts and, later, Managing Director of Block Holdings and Management.  David did pro bono work for Legal Action. He was a gentle warrior in the battle against injustice.  

David was buried June 18, 2020, at Mound Zion Cemetery in Brookfield at a private gathering. Rabbi Ron Shapiro officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. A man of quiet conviction, he will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and generosity with both time and money.  

His siblings, Betty Neimark and Lee Neimark; nephew, Alex Buchberger; and nieces, Jessica Buchberger and Jacqueline van Doorn, survive him. The family asks that those wishing to send flowers instead kindly contribute to one of David’s many charities, which included The Nature Conservancy, the Wisconsin Humane Society and the World Wildlife Fund.  

Arlette S. Platt 

Arlette S. Platt (nee Sager) died June 18, 2020. She was 93.   

Beloved wife of the late Morton L. Platt. Cherished mother of Carolyn Platt, Meredith (Jim) Suffoletta, Richard (Cathy) Platt and Robert (Nora) Platt.  Loving grandmother of Paul and Julia Suffoletta; Max, Jake, Rubi, Elisabeth and Katie Platt. Also survived by other loving relatives and dear friends.  

Private burial at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Ron Shapiro officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to the charity of your choice would be appreciated. 

Brenda Safer 

Brenda Safer (Nee Kaufman) Passed away June 23, 2020, at the age of 81.   

Preceded in death by her parents, David and Rose Kaufman, and her beloved partner, Marvin Arbiture.  Loving mother of Terri (Edward) Mead and Gary (Elizabeth) Safer. Proud grandmother of Martin A. Fetter, Gary Safer, Jr., Paige Beaudoin, Somer Beaudoin, Samuel Safer and Anna Safer. Dear sister of Judith (Marshall) Weingarten and aunt of Roberta and Stacey Weingarten.   

Private burial at Greenwood Cemetery, Milwaukee, with Rabbi Marc Berkson officiating. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family.  Memorial contributions to Susan G. Komen Foundation and Congregation Emanu-El B’Ne Jeshurun appreciated. 

James Yaakov Sullivan 

James “Yaakov” Sullivan died June 28, 2020, at his home in Newburgh, New York. He was 73.  Born James Sullivan in Milwaukee on January 10, 1947, he attended St. Monica School in Whitefish Bay and was a graduate of Dominican High School, during which time he performed with the Porter Players at the Jewish Community Center and was active in the civil rights movement. 

He studied at St. Louis and McGill Universities, where, as a former altar boy from an Irish Catholic family, he felt called to the traditional Jewish faith and took the name Yaakov upon his conversion. After doing graduate work, he moved to Jerusalem, where for a dozen years he built bridges between the Jewish and Arab communities. He earned his B.F.A. from Tel Aviv University.  

Yaakov returned to the United States in the 1980s and enjoyed a thriving career as a stage actor. Yaakov worked as a researcher in the Office of the President at Columbia University in the City of New York, and his work took him to Reid Hall in Paris. Yaakov found a community that embraced him fully in Newburgh and a home in the Washington Heights section of the city that soon became a beehive of activity, from gardening to cooking for friends to greeting the Sabbath with lively Friday night dinners. He also became a devoted member of Congregation Agudas Israel, whose rabbi, Jacob Rosner, presided over his funeral in Newburgh and burial at Spring Hill Cemetery in Milwaukee. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Yaakov was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary Sullivan, and long-time friend, Scott Smith. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Mary Sullivan, of California, several nieces and nephews, countless friends, and a cat, Thomas, whom he cared for in his final years.  

Shelley Weinstein  

Shelley Weinstein died July 1, 2020, in Palm Springs, California. He was 76. 

Shelley was born in Milwaukee on September 17, 1943. He graduated from Nicolet High School, got his bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. He was an institutional stock broker in Chicago, Nashville, Dallas, San Francisco, and New York. 

He is survived by wife Ann (née Howie), son Maj. Alexander Weinstein, USMC, daughter Sophie Lily Weinstein, and granddaughter Charlotte Weinstein, sister Sara Gimbel, sister-in-laws Sandra Weinstein, Libby (David Bailey) Howie, and Lala (Will) Gittoes. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by brother Daniel Weinstein, and brother-in-law Seymour Gimbel. 

Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. Private service to be held in Palm Springs.