Arthur Waller Baum
Born in San Francisco on Aug. 26, 1914 and died on Nov. 2, 2013. In 1920, moved to Roseburg, Oregon. Played tennis on the high school team and college team at Oregon State University. Graduated from Oregon State University in 1938 and returned to San Francisco.
During the war worked as a contractor at Mare Island Naval Shipyards, Hunters Point and Port Chicago. At Port Chicago during a three-ship explosion, a 1-foot piece of steel came down on his chair. Luckily it was at 11 p.m. In 1947, started his own general contracting business in San Francisco until 1973. Built a bridge in South San Francisco, Civic Center buildings in Santa Rosa, three school buildings in Marin County, a pier in Hunters Point Navy Yard, many alteration jobs for the city and state and several private residences.
Built his house in Sea Cliff in 1958 where he lived and died. Enjoyed golf and was a member of Lake Merced Golf and Country Club and served on the board. Enjoyed hunting for deer, elk and pheasants and had the best German shorthair hunting dogs.
His father, Arthur Waller Baum, lived in San Francisco and married his mother, Natalie Wollenberg, who was raised in Oregon and San Francisco. His mother graduated from the University of California in 1904. Her father was Hyman Wollenberg, who came from Bavaria in 1860 and lived in Roseburg, Oregon. In 1941 married his loving wife, Felice, who passed away in 2002. (Note: This obituary was written by Arthur in 2008.)
He is survived by his loving daughters, Nancie Garfinkel (Sanford) and Cathy Michaels (George), grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many other devoted relatives and friends. A gift in his memory may be addressed to Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, “in memory of Arthur Baum-for SPS,” and sent to Stanford at Development Services, PO Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309 or to Foundation for Thoracic Surgery and Research, c/o Dr. Robert McKenna, 8631 West Third St., Suite 240, Los Angeles, CA 90048, or to a charity of your choice. Private memorial services have been held.
Dan Goldfinger
Passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in Novato on Nov. 9, 2013 at age 70. Beloved husband of Jennifer Goldfinger for 44 years; loving father of Julie (Evan) Perry and Michelle Goldfinger; adoring grandfather of Sarah and Alana Perry; dear brother of Michael Goldfinger; cherished nephew of Leo (Jacia) Goldfinger; cousin of Zev (Netty) Rappaport, Nelson (Sharon) Goldfinger, Flori (Jeff) Green, and Stan (Minoo) Scheidlinger; devoted son of the late Toni and Martin Goldfinger.
A faithful 49ers fan for 41 years, enjoyed good red wine, loved to travel, a steadfast weekly golfer who admitted “I don’t really play golf, but come for the food and wine and to hang out with the guys.”
Happily retired from the toy and gift sales business for the last four years, with the intention of traveling somewhere every other month with his tour guide, Jennifer. His greatest joy over the last six and a half years was to spoil his grandchildren.
Services were held Nov. 14 at Sinai Memorial Chapel, S.F., followed by interment at Salem Memorial Park, Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations to Jewish Family and Children’s Services or Marin County Food Bank would be kindly appreciated.
Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636
Leo Kohut
It is with the greatest of sorrows that we must inform the public that our beloved and admired father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather, Leo Kohn (nom de guerre Kohut), passed away peacefully on Nov. 11, 2013 at 1:37 p.m., at the age of 96 years and 7 months, in San Rafael, California. He died of unspecified causes.
Leo was born on April 2, 1917 in Bratislava, now Slovakia. He survived the Nazi concentration camps, Sachsenhausen, Bergen-Belzen and Horgau, and returned to marry Berta Berkovich (herself a Holocaust survivor). He received his Ph.D. and post-graduate Candidate of Science degrees in theory and history of art from the Comenius and the Charles Universities in Bratislava and Prague, respectively. At 65, following the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, he left the country and, while in exile, he completed his opus magnum, “Once There Was a Street Here…” The book became a best-seller and has been recently released in its third edition. It is being translated into English.
Leo leaves behind two successful sons; one co-founded a student exchange organization, the other is a pharmacist. If there are three words to describe Leo they are: Courage, Integrity and Humanism. These three qualities guided his life in times of great adversity and in times of peace. A truly Great Man, whose wisdom and guidance we will try to duplicate and follow for the rest of our lives.
We will miss him forever.
Leo is survived by his wife, Berta Berkovich Kohut, sons Tom Areton and Emil Cohen Areton, Lilka and Vivian, daughters-in-love, Tom and Lilka’s children: Lana (+ husband James and great-granddaughter Arete’a), Kimberley (+ husband Steve), Michelle Emil and Vivian’s children: Adam, Daniel, Charles, Sheryl.
Donations in Leo’s memory should be sent to the JFCS Holocaust Center at https://ssl.charityweb.net/jfcs.
Hubert Clarence Marcus
March 27, 1931–Nov. 14, 2013
Hubert passed away at home on Nov. 14, 2013 in the presence of his family. A proud native San Franciscan, he was born at French Hospital on March 27, 1931 to Rose and Herman Marcus, joining his two older brothers, Sanford and Irwin. He was a graduate of Lowell High School and received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley. He also earned his medical degree and completed his training as an eye surgeon and ophthalmologist from the University of California at San Francisco. Prior to his residency training, he served in the United States Army as a Captain on a tour of duty in South Korea.
In 1959, he married Diane F. Marcus (nee Libby) in San Francisco. In 1961, Hubert joined a medical practice in San Mateo and Burlingame where he specialized in cataract surgery for 43 years. He was a resident of San Mateo for 52 years, where he raised three children and enjoyed the company of their spouses and six beloved grandchildren.
Hubert was a very talented musician and enjoyed sharing his gift by composing musicals, conducting his own band in high school (including gigs at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park) and playing the piano. In his later years, he entertained and delighted people for many organizations and events and could play anything you would hum or request. He enjoyed crewing on sailboats and riding his bike. Hubert was well-known for his dry sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife, Diane F. Marcus, his brother Irwin Marcus (Sonia Marcus), his sister-in-law Hanna Marcus and preceded in death by his brother Sanford Marcus and his parents Herman and Rose Marcus. He is also survived by his daughter Deborah L. Marcus (Tom Cross) and their two children Sophia and Dana Cross; his son David S. Marcus (Tracy Butler) and their two children Rachel and Olivia Marcus, and his daughter Anne L. Ken (Matt Ken) and their two children Andrew and Natalie Ken.
In his last two years, Hubert was lovingly cared for by Rommel Guera and Boy Gabriel. The family is forever grateful for their kindness.
Graveside services were held Nov. 18 at Gan Hazikaron at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013 at 5 p.m. at Peninsula Temple Beth El, San Mateo.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Hubert’s name to any of the following: Peninsula Temple Beth El (Marcus Leadership Development Fund), 1700 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA 94403; the World Union for Progressive Judaism, 633 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017-6778; That Man May See, 10 Koret Way, Box 0352, San Francisco, CA 94143-0352.
Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636
Evelyn Ranz
In Mill Valley on Nov. 16, 2013 at age 95. Beloved wife of the late Sidney Ranz for 47 years; dear sister of Elaine (Jack) Kornbluh of Queens, New York; loving mother of Ruthanne Ranz-Appell (Gary Appell), Jules Ranz (Bonnie Horen), and the late Ronnie Ranz (Paul Gilbert); adoring grandmother of David Ranz (Taly Lind), Joshua Ranz (Lelie Resnick), Shira and Brina Appell, and Stephanie, Rebecca and Alison Ranz-Gilbert; cherished great-grandmother of Yasmin and Noah Ranz-Lind, and Jonah and Nathan Resnick Ranz; mother-in-law of Esther Ranz Waters; loving cousin and aunt.
Evelyn was born and raised in New York City, and graduated from Brooklyn College with a bachelor’s degree and advanced study in mathematics. She also graduated from a Hebrew school teacher preparatory program. She taught mathematics at Jamaica High School in New York for many years.
An avid folk dancer since her teenage years, Evelyn also loved reading and theater. In 1985 after losing her wonderful husband, Sidney, she made a new life for herself in Mill Valley, where she moved to be near her daughters and to be a big part of raising her grandchildren. Due to her remarkable intellect, wit, sincere openness and infinite wisdom, Evelyn had an incredible power to connect with anyone. Evelyn will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Services were held Nov. 20, 2013 at Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon, followed by interment at Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society or Congregation Kol Shofar would be kindly appreciated.
Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636