Robert Reuben Chait, October 1, 1919-November 26, 2008

Peacefully passed away early Wednesday morning surrounded by his loving family. Robert was married to the love of his life, the late Toby West Chait, for 58 years of laughter and adventure. His memory will live on in the hearts and spirits of his son, partner and best friend Joseph, his loving daughter-in-law Deborah, his cherished grandchildren Marcus (Melissa) and Jessica, and his great grandchildren Zoe and Broderick. He is also survived by his daughter Lisa (Dennis) and their daughter Shelley Appelbaum. For the past four years he was attended to with the greatest care and devotion by his friend and caregiver Pamela Byrne.

Born on the South Side of Chicago to Markis and Bessie Chait, Dad/Bobby/Gramps grew up during the Depression where he took whatever job he could find, including delivering newspapers to Al Capone and his gang. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and served throughout World War II where he was stationed in both Panama and Guatemala. At the conclusion of his service he moved to San Francisco where he met his beloved Toby, whom he married in 1945. After serving as Treasurer/Controller for Littleman Supermarkets for eighteen years, Bob purchased San Francisco Provident Loan Association, which his son runs today.

Bob took great pride in traveling the world with his wife. Happiest when surrounded by family and friends, He could often be found enjoying Sunday dinner at the Concordia Club in San Francisco where he was a proud member for over thirty-five years. Bob loved the outdoors and relished his daily walks throughout the hills of Sharon Heights. An avid fisherman, Bob passed along that joy to his son and grandchildren, not to mention his love of good chocolate! Other passions included painting, swimming and sharing his repertoire of old Yiddish songs.

A proud, honest and humble man, Bob will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

Funeral services were on Sunday, November 30 at Home of Peace Cemetery in Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of America.

Gerda Joseph passed away on November 24, 2008 at the age of 95. Born Gerda Moses in Hannover, Germany, she fled the Nazis, arriving in New York in 1938. There she met her husband and the love of her life, Adolf Joseph. They later moved to Seattle where their only child Carol was born, then to San Mateo, and finally to their long-term home, San Francisco.

Gerda was soft-spoken and gracious, yet a strong woman. After the death of her loving husband in 1979, she continued to live independently until January of this year.

She is survived by her devoted daughter, Carol Joseph of San Francisco.

Gravesite services were held on Friday, November 28, 2008 at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma.

Charitable contributions in her memory may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Renate Reni Pinkus lived life to the fullest! Born in Berlin, Germany, 1931, she began an incredible life full of extraordinary experiences. Reni was a refugee in Shanghai, China, for the duration of World War II. It was there where she met her true love and husband of 56 years, Guenter. Reni then immigrated to America with her family to start a new life, where she would soon be reunited with Guenter. The two were married in 1952, started a family, and eventually moved to Marin where Reni worked for the City of San Rafael for 28 years. Reni was an extremely kind and generous person even to those she hardly knew. She enjoyed traveling, especially going on long cruises or weekend trips to Lake Tahoe. Reni also enjoyed her little dog Sweetie, and most of all, the company of her friends and family. She always had a positive outlook on life and found joy in everything she experienced.

Reni passed away Saturday evening, November 15. She is survived by her husband Guenter, her sister Tessie, her son Kenny, her daughter Debbie and son-in-law Robin, her grandchildren Kristen, Stephanie, and Nicholas, and her great-grandson Seth. She will be remembered as a loving and caring person who touched the lives of so many and brought happiness to everyone she knew. A memorial service was held Monday, November 24, at the Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael. In remembrance of Reni and her love of animals, the family asks that donations be made to either the Marin Humane Society, The Marine Mammal Center at the Marin Headlands, or the charity of your choice.

Marilynn Scharlach, March 26, 1925-November 24, 2008

Marilynn Scharlach passed away peacefully at home on November 24, 2008. Born and raised in Seattle, Marilynn was talented, creative, and independent-minded from her earliest years. By the age of 16, she had appeared in numerous dramatic productions, won a women’s golf tournament, and entered college at the University of Washington.

Marilynn moved to San Francisco in 1946, where she met and married Adrian Scharlach and raised her son Andrew. She worked as a model, as a manufacturers’ representative, as a collection agent, and eventually purchased and ran Central Collection Agency. She also found time to help star in Sherith League shows, and served as founding president of “The Petticoats,” the San Francisco chapter of the City of Hope. She was a member of Congregation Emanu-El for more than 60 years.

Marilynn was a beloved and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She is survived by her son Professor Andrew Scharlach and his wife Dr. Ilene Scharlach, by her granddaughters Rebecca and Emily, by her sister Ann Nieder, and by her brother Arthur Lustig (Sharon).

Funeral services were held on November 28th at Home of Peace Cemetery in Colma under the direction of Sinai Memorial Chapel in Lafayette.

Donations in Marilynn’s memory may be made to Congregation Emanu-El, to City of Hope, or to the charity of your choice.

Dr. Oscar Stadtler, 1920-2008

Dr. Oscar “Ozzie” Stadtler formerly of Beachwood, OH, passed away peacefully on November 22 in San Rafael, CA, his home for the past 2 years. He joins Beatrice, his loving wife of 56 years who died in 2001.

Devoted father of Dona Rosenblatt of Dallas, TX, Sander (and Esther) Stadtler of Fairfax, CA, and Miriam (and Robert) Rosenbaum of Marietta, GA. Beloved Saba (grandfather) of Amir, Tali, Joshua, Jason, Shoshana, Shira, Ora and Aviva. Cherished uncle of Ted (and Anita) Schvimer and Judy (and Joe) Canonico, and great-uncle and great-great-uncle to many.

Ozzie was born in New York City on August 5, 1920. After moving to Cleveland as a young boy at age 4, he spent the vast majority of his life there, before relocating to California two years ago. During his childhood, he worked in the tailor shop of his father, a Hungarian immigrant. After graduating with a D.D.S. from Case Western Reserve University in 1944, Oscar served in WWII as a medical officer before being discharged with the rank of Captain.

In 1945, Oscar married Beatrice. He practiced dentistry in his own clinic for more than 35 years. He was an active member in the Cleveland Jewish Community, including serving as president of Congregation Shaarey Tikvah from 1966-9 and 1970-2. From 1973 to 2003, Oscar was editor of the Israeli Philatelist, the national stamp-collector’s magazine for collectors of Israeli stamps and Judaica and was one of the world’s foremost authorities on Israeli stamps. He was a model railroader who loved to tend his vegetable garden and was an avid reader of history.

For the past two years in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ozzie has been a beloved and active member of Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon, CA, the Marin Yiddish club and an adored resident of Drake Terrace in San Rafael, CA.

Ozzie will be missed dearly by his family and friends. He had a remarkable memory and sense of humor, an affinity for telling jokes and stories, and a deep, deep wisdom reflected in a wide variety of anecdotes and sayings. Mostly, Ozzie (saba) cherished spending time with his family and loved ones. Donations to Kol Shofar-Ida Gebart Tolerance Fund or Northern California Holocaust Center.

Robert S. Sosnick in San Francisco on December 2, 2008 at age 75. Beloved father of Charles and Sherri Sosnick, Miriam and Martin Potasnick and Lawrence Sosnick; cherished grandfather of Judah, Steven, Sabrina and Michael Sosnick and Alexander, Ethan and Erin Potasnick. Brother of Martin and Goldie Sosnick, and the late Myron Sosnick. Brother-in-law of Marcia Sosnick and Helen and Bob David. Former husband of the late Naomi Sosnick. Loving uncle to Jeffrey, Wayne, Michelle and Marc. Native San Franciscan, founding member and past president of Congregation Adath Israel, past president of Hebrew Free Loan, and long time active board member of Sinai Memorial Chapel.

Services were held at Sinai Memorial Chapel, 1501 Divisadero St., at Geary Blvd., SF.

Contributions to Congregation Adath Israel, 1851 Noriega Street, San Francisco, CA 94122 preferred.