Regina Kortz, in San Rafael on November 16, 2010. Beloved wife of the late Bert Kortz for 40 years; loving mother of Dr. Sorin Eremia and Dr. Irina Eremia (Ronald) Bragin; adoring grandmother of Andrew, Lauren and Dylan; dear sister of Jack Abrams and Clementina Hawksley.
Former talented actress in Romania. First wife of General and dissident writer Ion Eremia, Regina suffered persecution and loss of her career when she refused to denounce her husband for his opposition to the communist dictatorship.
Regina immigrated to America with Sorin and Irina in 1965 and, together with her second husband, Bert, built up a successful furniture business, American Interiors. In the early 1980’s, Regina and Bert bought and remodeled the San Francisco Landmark Auditorium, former and current home of the Fillmore West. She enjoyed working with impresario Bill Graham who staged many well known concerts there.
A successful real estate entrepreneur, Regina and her late husband Bert acquired and managed properties in the Bay Area.
Some of her story is told in Irina Bragin’s book, “Subterranean Towers: a Father-Daughter Story,” and in her play, “Vine Tata” (Queen’s Theatre in the Park, New York 2008).
Services were held at Home of Peace Cemetery Chapel, 1299 El Camino Real, Colma, followed by interment. Donations to StandWithUs, P.O. Box 341069, Los Angeles, CA 90034-1069 (Phone 310-836-6140), preferred.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
Binem (Ben) Leib Altman
February 26, 1912 — November 8, 2010
Ben passed away peacefully in San Francisco at the age of 98. Born in Czestochowa, Poland, Ben was a Holocaust survivor. He lost most of his extended family at Treblinka, and lost his first wife and son at Auschwitz. Ben made his profession as a tailor for 65 years, and attributed his survival through the Holocaust to his craft. After the war, Ben remarried in 1947 to Erna Koplovitz, and they had a son, David, in 1948. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1949, and settled in San Francisco in the same year. Upon retirement, Ben enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling and painting. His artwork of both Jewish and scenic imagery had several showings. Ben was always an optimist and had many friends in the community.
Ben was preceded in death by his second wife, Erna, of 42 years.
Ben is survived by his loving son, David E. Altman, two grandchildren, Dr. Sarah L. Altschuler and her husband, Justin, and Mark Y. Altman, and his wife, Ramona, two great-grandchildren, Emmersyn R. Altman and Lukas A. Altschuler. Near the end of his life, Ben felt very happy and blessed to have survived to see his great-grandchildren, who were born a short time before his passing. He loved his family and friends deeply and always provided support, guidance, and tenderness to them. Ben’s family loved him just as deeply, and he will be greatly missed.
May his memory be a blessing onto those who knew him and their children.