Irving Alter, a native son of San Francisco passed away on July 16, 2007. Beloved husband of the late Goldie Alter; father of Howard and his wife Diane Alter and the late Michael Alter; grandfather of Jessica and Matthew Alter; brother of the late Gwen Atherton and Melvin Alter; son of the late Herman and Cepora Alter.
Irving was born on 2nd Avenue and Clement Street in San Francisco on the first day of spring, March 21, 1918 when Von Hindenburg began a final and failed offensive against the Allies.
Irving met his wife Goldie when they were fourteen years old while both attending their first dance. They both graduated from Lowell High School and after graduation he worked in the paper business. In 1941 he was drafted into the United States Army and after being stationed at various army camps he was recommended for Officers Training School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Irving achieved the rank of First Lieutenant, United States Army. After receiving his commission, he was assigned for duty in Alaska where he received a commendation for his part in a rescue operation. He was subsequently sent to the European theater of war after the invasion of Normandy. After combat he returned to the U.S. and served the remainder of his army career in Spartanburg, SC where his son Michael was born.
He loved sports, and played tennis, golf and also enjoyed swimming. He enjoyed gardening and in later life after retiring from the paper business he also loved listening to music and playing the organ. Irving was a long time member of Congregation Ner Tamid in S.F. and will be remembered as a charitable individual who will be missed by all.
Gravesite services were held at Salem Memorial Park, 1171 El Camino Real, Colma.
Lorraine E. Birnbaum passed away peacefully Thursday, July 12, 2007, at her residence at Smith Ranch in San Rafael, California.
A native of San Francisco, she was the widow of Sam Birnbaum and the loving mother of Maxine Brandvein and Rosalind Jacobs and her husband Bruce; the grandmother of Debra Harris and her husband Matthew, Allan Brandvein and his wife Darcie, Gregg Jacobs and his wife Valerie, and Angela Cohen and her husband Jonathan; the great-grandmother of Nicole and Blake Harris, Samantha and Abbey Brandvein, Scott and Matthew Jacobs, and Max and Zachary Cohen; and the sister of Alvin Bloom.
Lorraine was a great lady with a wonderfully warm, loving personality. She had a manner about her that made any person, close family member or welcomed stranger, to feel important. She felt deep love and concern for her family’s well-being and, with her special gentle demeanor, she could make anyone feel better.
Lorraine was a philanthropic person, and supported many Jewish causes. She was the first president of Columbia Chapter of Women’s B’nai B’rith of San Francisco, and was a member of Women’s B’nai B’rith for most of her adult life. In 1969, in a joint effort with the March of Dimes and the San Mateo County Department of Public Health and Welfare, as Central Area Operation Stork Chairman of B’nai B’rith Women, she established a program on the Peninsula to educate and support disadvantaged pregnant women and improve their health and the health of their babies.
As Lorraine’s health declined in the last years of her life, her caregivers, Marion Heim and Dalila DeLeon, gave of themselves in an extraordinary way, and the family has indescribable appreciation of these ladies for lovingly caring for and comforting Lorraine to the very end of her life.
The family will miss their precious “Gaga” and remember her with their deepest love forever.
Private services were held Monday, July 16, 2007, at Hills of Eternity Chapel in Colma under the direction of Sinai Memorial Chapel.
The family requests that donations be made in memory of Lorraine Birnbaum to The American Cancer Society.
Frances Crash, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 7th, 2007, in Los Angeles. She was the wife of the late Jack Crash, and sister of Sidney Koss and the late Irving Koss, sister-in-law of Zena Koss and Maisie Koss. Loving mother of Howard Crash (Trisha), Grandmother of Penelope Fireman (Dan), Great-grandmother of Abigail Fireman, all residing in the New York area. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held at Home of Peace in Whittier, California on July 11th.
Family request donations to City of Hope, Doubles Chapter, c/o 54 Pinehaven Drive, Daly City, CA. 94015. or your favorite charity.
Morris Gutterman, M.D., in Palo Alto, July 19, 2007. Beloved husband of Lottie Gutterman. Loving father of Janet and Myra and the late Jonathan Gutterman, Devoted brother to Sidney Gutterman. A long-time member of Temple Beth Jacob of Redwood City.
Funeral Services Sunday, July 22 at 11:00 A.M. at the Hills of Eternity Memorial Park Chapel, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Beth Jacob.
September 4, 1914 — July 4, 2007. At the age of 92, Evelyn A. Kalman died peacefully in her sleep at the Reutllinger Community for Jewish Living in Danville.
A native of Akron, Ohio, she resided there until 1977 when she and her husband, Henry, moved to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek to be near their children. In Akron she was a registered nurse and retired as Head Nurse of the Outpatient Surgical Department at Akron City Hospital. She was a tireless volunteer for the American Red Cross Blood Bank, Hadassah, ORT, Brandeis, Beth El Synagogue and numerous other Jewish organizations. She continued that work when she moved to Walnut Creek and joined Temple Sinai in Oakland. A women of many accomplishments, she became an award winning artist and jewelry maker in her 80’s.
She is survived by her daughter Deana (Harvey) Freedman; son, Philip (Karen Gordon); grandchildren, David (of beloved memory) and Matthew (Alana Reynolds) Freedman and great grandson, Lowell Freedman; her most beloved sister, Janet (Albert) Schultz; and many adoring nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service was held on July 5. Anyone wising to honor her memory may contribute to RCJL Art and Activities, 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville 94506 or Hadassah.
Martin B. Kline peacefully at home in San Mateo, July 18, 2007. Beloved husband of Judie Horowitz Kline of San Mateo. Loving father of B.J. Kline and Sharon Kline Alden. Devoted grandfather of Ashley, Robert, Pam, Victoria and Nick. Dear Brother of Marilyn Simon (Alan). A veteran of the U.S. Navy and an accountant for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
A member of Peninsula Temple Beth El; Past Master and Treasurer of Phoenix Lodge No.144, F. & A. M.; a member of Mission Lodge No. 169, F. & A. M. and San Francisco Scottish Rite Bodies.
Friends were invited to attend Graveside Services Sunday, July 22 at 2:00 P.M. at Skylawn Memorial Park, Hwy 92 at Rt. 35, San Mateo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the San Francisco Scottish Rite Foundation.
Irving Kruger, a.k.a. Whitney in Alameda, CA. July 2. Husband of 64 years to Lillian Kruger. Father to Fern and Ellen. Grandfather to Amanda, Michael, and David. Son of the late David Kurchitzer and Ida Kurchitzer. Born in New York on May 17, 1918. He was a partner in the Kruger family business, founding member and president of Garden Jewish Center of Flushing, New York, grand chancellor of the Knight’s of Pythias fraternal lodge, member of Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, community volunteer, performer in the Montefiore follies, and at the Jewish Home, song writer and comedian. Irving was a strong man with a fabulous sense of humor and a heart of gold. He will be missed dearly. Services were held at Congregation Emanu-El San Francisco on July 6.