Peter Hale Bernstein

Sept. 19, 1944–Jan. 18, 2014

Peter, 69, beloved husband, son, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, cousin, uncle and friend, passed away on Jan. 18 surrounded by family.

Peter was born in San Francisco to Donald Bernstein, a well-respected physician, and Marian, an Egyptologist still active at age 92. He met his wife, Linda Bernstein (they had the same last name), at the age of 29 through the Jewish federation’s YAD and proposed to her after just three months of dating. He became a bar mitzvah the same year at Congregation Chevra Thilim, where they were later married. Peter graduated from Lick-Wilmerding High School, received his B.A. from U.C. Davis and then a master’s in psychology from San Francisco State University.

Peter was a school and educational psychologist for Newark Unified School District for 35 years, commuting daily on BART from San Francisco. He aided in setting up the first computers and printers in the district and helped promote digital testing practices for special education.

Peter played clarinet in his youth and was a member of the U.C. Davis marching band. He loved music his entire life and enjoyed listening to and attending musical and cultural performances. In his retirement, he was a regular volunteer at the San Francisco Symphony Store. Peter also volunteered for Bay to Breakers, breast cancer and a variety of Jewish causes. He was a past board member of Brotherhood Way JCC.

Peter was a loyal fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Giants and cherished the time he spent attending and watching games with his family. He also loved biking, golfing, tennis, skiing and swimming.

Peter is survived by his loving wife of 39 years Linda Bernstein, Pharm.D., mother Marian Bernstein, children Julie Silverstein (Rusty) and Daniel Bernstein (Leslie), and brothers David Bernstein (Bianca) and Michael Bernstein (Janet). Peter was grandfather to Matan, Noa and Ivria Silverstein and Lila Bernstein. Zichrono livracha, may his memory be a blessing.

Donations can be made in Peter’s memory to Congregation Beth Sholom (301-14th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118 — www.bethsholomsf.org), where Linda and Peter have been members for 39 years.

Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636

Richard S. Colman

1935–2014

Dickie passed away Jan. 17 in San Francisco, the city of his birth. Born on Sept. 13, 1935 to Gussie Blum and Maurice Colman, he was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Arnold “Bunky” Colman; loving grandparents, Israel and Rosa Blum; devoted aunts and uncles Pauline Frank, Max Blum, Al Blum, Anne Cohen and Arnie Blum; cousin Morley Shapiro; and stepmother Bettie Colman.

Survivors include brothers Peter and Paul Colman, nephew Gregory Colman and three generations of cousins who mourn his loss.

With gratitude the family acknowledges the caring devotion of Dickie’s dear friend, Lee Ann Prifti. Pursuant to Dickie’s wishes, no services were held.

Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636

Jerry Michalski

Died in San Francisco on Jan. 25, 2014. Jerry was born on April 21, 1943 in Dzumbul, Kazakhstan, to Jewish parents fleeing their native Poland. In a Displaced Persons (DP) camp in 1949, the Michalski family finally gained permission to enter the USA. Jerry was 7 years of age. In 1950, the Michalski family arrived in San Francisco to begin their lives as Americans. Two years later, his brother George was born in San Francisco. In 1956, Jerry’s parents, Felicia and Joseph, gained American citizenship, and Jerry and his brother Henry, who also was born in Kazakhstan, became naturalized citizens. It was a great day!

Jerry had many loves; among them, in no particular order, his dog Nani, his garden, his beloved 49ers, Israel, food and music, and any parade or festival coming to town. Above all, he cherished his relationship with his daughter Wendy, who on Feb. 11 was to present Jerry with his first grandchild, a girl, something he very much looked forward to. Jerry attended Golden Gate and Alamo elementary schools, Presidio Junior High and Washington High School, where he graduated in 1961. He excelled in his chosen profession of hair styling and design.

Jerry is survived by his daughter Wendy and her husband Ryan Orner of Cincinnati, Ohio; his mother, Felicia Michalski of San Francisco; his brother Henry (Lynn) of Napa and his brother George of San Francisco. He will always be fondly remembered and loved by his extended family: sister-in-law Lynn Michalski, whom he absolutely adored; his niece Elaina and her son Bryson; his nephew Geoffrey and his wife Meghan and their son Caleb; as well as his many dear close friends. Jerry was a unique, one-of-a-kind character who will be dearly missed. We love you very much. May his memory be for a blessing.

Albert Miller

89, of Walnut Creek, Calif., formerly of Richboro, Pa., passed away Jan. 16, 2014. Retired owner of Valley Service Center, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Albert is survived by his wife, Ruth Miller (formerly Zeidman), daughter Ferne (Larry) Sanders, and stepsons Arthur (Lynn) Zeidman and Robert (Carrie) Zeidman, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Evelyn Skopp and Estelle Goldfinger. Albert’s first wife, the former Emma Masloff, predeceased him.

Albert was born in Philadelphia, the son of Herschel and Anna Miller, and retired to the Heritage Pointe in Walnut Creek in 2012. Al and Ruth cherished their friends and the staff who welcomed Al warmly. A graveside service was held Jan. 17 at Gan Shalom Cemetery.

Samuel Offen

93, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Dec. 17, 2013 in Danville. Sam is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nina, his son Frank, his daughter and son-in-law, Gail and David Offen-Brown, and his granddaughter and her husband, Elizabeth and Jacob Klein.

Sam, a Holocaust survivor, was born in Zhezhov, Poland, and came to the United States in 1950 after spending five years in Displaced Persons camps. When he arrived in the U.S., he was sent to Oakland where he worked for the American Can Company and raised his family. The two pillars of his life were his family and his faith, and he was a devoted member of Congregation Beth Jacob.

Services were held, with interment at Home of Peace Cemetery in Oakland on

Dec. 19. Contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Jacob, 3778 Park Blvd. Oakland, CA 94610.

Marti Leigh Sankowich

Passed away in Los Angeles from pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure on Jan. 20, 2014 at age 42. Beloved mother of Rylee Rose Sankowich; loving daughter of Lee Sankowich; loving sister of Sarah Sankowich and sister-in-law of Francois Daoud; dear niece of Lila and Neville Rich and Antoinette Sankowich; cousin to many. Marti will forever be loved and missed by all the people who she touched in her life.

Services were held Jan. 24 at Hills of Eternity Cemetery Chapel, Colma.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in memory of Marti be made for unrestricted research and education in pulmonary hypertension under the direction of Dr. Shelley Shapiro. Donations should be made payable to UC Regents (memo on check: “In Memory of Marti Sankowich for Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine”) and sent to UCLA Health Sciences Development, c/o Michelle Jacobson, 10945 Le Conte Ave., Suite 3132; Los Angeles, CA 90095.

Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636