Donald L. Kroner… passed away on February 6, 2009. He was born on December 6th 1906. He was born in San Francisco and lived in his parents’ home, in Jordan Park, for most of his life. “Uncle Donald” was very proud of being 102 years old. A Lowell High School graduate and a student at UC Berkeley, Donald felt strong ties to those past years. Family ranches in Tracy kept him busy for most of his working career. Donald is survived by his niece, Joan Fireman Muhlfelder, and nephew, Paul (and Kay) Fireman, great nieces, Loren (and Jerry) Weltsch, Dana Muhlfelder, Kathryn (and Hugo) Fireman, great nephews, David Muhlfelder, and Mark (and Suzanne) Fireman, and loving caregiver, Tanya Darbinian. Private family services were held under the direction of Sinai Memorial Chapel

Marga Mandel

Marga passed away with her family at her side, on Jan. 16, 2009.

Born in Hamburg on July 24, 1921, Marga left Germany in 1938, lived in Sweden for two and a half years and arrived in San Francisco in April 1941 with her parents, Alfred and Bertha Oppenheim, and her sister Lotte and brother Peter.

In 1945 Marga graduated from Mt. Zion Hospital’s nursing program. She subsequently worked as an RN at Kaiser Permanente in the East Bay and at Queens General Hospital in New York City. After her marriage in New York in 1948 to Eugene Mandel, the couple settled in the Bay Area, residing in Los Altos Hills for the past thirty-six years.

Marga was deeply devoted to her parents, her siblings, her children, grandchildren and close friends, but also pursued her many interests, creating beautiful wood sculptures, tending her garden, studying French and Spanish. Her honesty, thoughtfulness, warmth, generosity, optimistic nature and strength of character were evident to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by all of us.

Marga is survived by her husband, Eugene, their three children and their respective families: Morris Mandel, his wife Shuhong and their daughter Gina; Michael Mandel, his wife Laurie and their children Olivia and Ben; and Ruth Brown (husband Ralph, deceased) and her children: Jennifer, her husband Jamie and son Kaleb; Albert, his wife Marina; and Jeremy and his partner Sarah. She is also survived by her brother Peter, his wife Sylvia and their family, and by her niece Suzanne Lande and her niece Janie Stewart and partner Neal Strudler.

Interment and a memorial service were held in Palo Alto on Jan. 22. Donation in Marga’s name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society would be welcomed.

Alan Simon

In San Mateo on January 24th. Best friend and beloved husband of Marilyn Simon for 53 years; devoted father of Sue Jacobs and Marcie Delaney and adored “Papa” to grandchildren Chase, Jessica, Jolie and Shane. He is also survived by a close circle of cousins, admiring colleagues and friends.

A proud veteran of WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he went on to receive a doctorate in law from Golden Gate University’s School of Law and became a highly respected attorney. He ultimately received the San Francisco Trial Lawyer Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Services were held at Home of Peace Cemetery in Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations to American Jewish Committee are welcome.

Roberta Rossa Juster Solomon Brash Kamin passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2009 following a lengthy illness.

A resident of the Peninsula, Roberta was born in Minneapolis, MN where she graduated from the University of Minnesota with B.S. and M.A. Social Work degrees. She and her first husband, Robert B. Solomon, Ph.D., moved to San Bruno in 1945.

While living in San Bruno, Roberta led the crusade for the fluoridation of water in California. As a result of her fight for this health measure, she was editorialized as having “established herself as one of the truly outstanding civic-minded citizens in the community.” In the ’40s and ’50s she was active in human relations and race relations and was cited by the Anti-Defamation League for outstanding work in California in the field of human relations. She also served on the Library Commission of San Bruno for 2 terms. More recently, her volunteer activities were dedicated to problems of the aging, the American Cancer Society and numerous philanthropic, fraternal and educational organizations.

Roberta worked as a Clinical Social Worker for San Mateo County Mental Health for 30 years in addition to having a private practice in San Mateo. She was a gold card member of the National Association of Social Workers.

She was widowed in 1965, remarried in 1970 to John A. Brash, widowed again in 1995 and married again to Dr. Isadore Kamin in 1997. Dr. Kamin passed away in 2005. Roberta leaves behind her 3 children, Dr. Arthur J. Solomon (Ann), Beth J. Solomon-Casper (Jeffrey) and Harvey J. Solomon (Mary), 4 grandchildren, Siah Fried (Fred), Carrie Brophy (Tim), Laura Youngblood (Adam) and Jeffrey J. Solomon (Kara Bender) and 6 great grandchildren and her sister Ruby Juster of New York.

Services have been held. Interment at Hills of Eternity Cemetery. Remembrances in her name may be sent to Vitas Charity fund at www.vitascharityfund.org.

Harold “Hersh” Zimmerman passed away peacefully at home on February 7, 2009 following a long and courageous struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Hersh was proud to be a San Francisco native, born March 8, 1924. He was the youngest of three children of Jacob and Anna Zimmerman of blessed memory.

He graduated from Washington High School, and during his teen years he founded the King Soloman chapter of A.Z.A. In World War II he served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Aircorp in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. As a young man back from war, he took over his family’s business, Ideal Paint Company. He expanded the corner shop into the top wholesale paint distributorship in Northern California, while maintaining the respect and love of his employees. He served for two years as the President of the National Paint Distributors. For 55 years he led Ideal Paint Company with passion and integrity.

Hersh carried on the tradition of one of the most committed Jewish families in Northern California. His devotion to his synagogue and the Jewish community was unceasing. He was a past president of Congregation Beth Sholom. Before becoming the president of the synagogue, he served as both its treasurer and vice president. He served on the board of directors of the Brotherhood Way Jewish Center and the Northern California region of United Synagogue. His philanthropy extended to innumerable Jewish organizations. He was a devoted supporter of the University of Judaism and was presented with the University’s Distinguished Service Award for this commitment.

In the 1940’s he was invited to join and became the youngest member in San Francisco of the Shriners in San Francisco. He was a loyal member of the Asiya Shriners, the Scottish Rite and the Masons of California Pacific-Starr King Lodge. He enjoyed longstanding membership in the Marina Lions Club and the Marina Merchant’s Association.

Hersh was a workaholic who would drop everything if his family or friends called on him. He never turned away anyone who asked for help; his concern for others always took precedence over his concern for himself. His scant free time was spent delighting in his grandchildren, singing and joking with Norie, tinkering with machines, showing off the City he loved, traveling to Hawaii, fishing, developing photographs, amazing others with his mathematical prowess, and alarming others with his daring driving skills. Always optimistic, with a mischievous grin and a twinkle in his eye, he leaves the world a better place and our lives are better for having known him. He will be remembered for his zest for life, quick smile, unending curiosity about the world and sunflower seeds.

Hersh married the love of his life, Norma “Norie” Stern, in 1947. He could always make her laugh. He was the treasured father and a role model for Marilyn and Gary Zimmerman and for his son-in-law and surrogate son Robert. He was a tender zeyde, cherished by his grandsons Sam and Gabe. He also was the caring little brother of Esther Ososke (Herb z”l) and Arthur Zimmerman z”l (Alice z”l and Shirlee z”l.) Hersh is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends. His family is grateful that Hersh was blessed with loving caretakers Jackie, Dora, Fe, Jesse and Rae. While his health suffered in his last years, his love of life, family and community never waned. His loss leaves a hole in the hearts of all who knew him.

Funeral services were held February 10 at the Home of Peace Chapel, Colma. Donations in Hersh’s memory can be made to Congregation Beth Sholom, Jewish Family & Children’s Services or the National Parkinson Foundation.

Hersh’s life demonstrates that it is possible to change the world one person at a time. Every day, we can honor his memory by extending a little more compassion to those in need.