Enne Weissman Braun

83, of San Francisco, passed away Saturday, May 17.

She was born to the late Richard and Greta Weissman on July 26, 1930 in Stuttgart, Germany. Enne left Germany as a young girl in 1939 with the help of relative Carl Laemmle, one of the founders of Universal Pictures, who was recently profiled in the New York Times for his “unsung” work assisting hundreds of Jews departing Nazi Germany. She resided with her mother in New York City, where a number of her extended relatives had immigrated previously and quickly became her “family.”

Enne studied education at State University of New York (SUNY), Lake Oswego, which became her lifelong passion. She thrived on all aspects of learning and educating, striving to make a difference in the lives of her students, young and old. Her early career included time as an educator at the Museum of Natural History in New York City, and teaching at a U.S. Air Force base in Northern England.

While on a teaching break in Europe, Enne met Jerome Irwin Braun, and shortly thereafter they married in 1957 and relocated to San Francisco. After a 20-year hiatus devoted to raising her three children, Enne returned to teaching and augmented her skills to include library sciences and computer education. From the late 1970s through the 1990s she worked in numerous public schools and libraries in San Francisco.

As a newly single woman in the early 1980s, Enne embarked on an extremely busy, eclectic, dynamic and independent lifestyle, which she maintained throughout the entire remainder of her life. In addition to her teaching activities with SFUSD, she was a dedicated volunteer with the symphony and ballet and teaching English to new immigrants. She loved movies, dining out with her diverse group of friends, spending time in the Marina where she resided since 1986, and listening to opera. Enne was an active member of Temple Emanu-El and the Center for Learning in Retirement. She loved nature, the arts, reading and travel to both local and international destinations.

Enne is survived by three children: Aaron Braun (Joan DeHovitz) of Kentfield; Dr. Susan Braun (Stuart Cohen) of Phoenix; and Daniel Braun (Ginger Layden Braun) of San Francisco. She also is survived by eight grandchildren (Benjamin, Rachel, Nathan and Sara Braun; Evan and Nicki Cohen; and Annabelle and Turner Braun) that she adored.

A memorial service is being planned for the afternoon of Thursday, May 29 in Golden Gate Park. Contact [email protected] for more details as they become available.

 

Daniel T. Goldberg

Passed peacefully with family by his side on May 16, 2014, at age 98. He was the last family member of his generation.

Born in 1915 amid the strife of World War I Lithuania, he immigrated in 1921 with his mother and four older siblings and moved to San Francisco in 1926. He graduated Commerce High School, U.C. Berkeley and Boalt Hall.

After a short stint with the new Social Security Administration in Washington, D.C., he returned to San Francisco and worked for the Hebrew Free Loan Association, launching a 50-year career in community service. He also served on the board of Temple Emanu-El, Sinai Memorial Chapel, San Francisco Humanities, and as president of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

He opened his law practice in 1949, becoming a highly respected attorney until his retirement at age 85. Also in 1949 he married the love of his life, Tanette Westerman, whom he met on a blind date. They were as powerfully devoted to their four children as they were to each other. Their home became the family center for important celebrations and milestone life events. Large Passover seders were central to this tradition, creating cherished memories for the many family and friends who experienced them. Dan and Tanette lived together harmoniously for 63 years. He was her primary health care giver her last years, which he considered an honor.

Charming, witty and fun-loving, Dan was a true gentleman, known for clever puns and a huge song repertoire. When locked in the Wells Fargo Bank vault for 40 hours (memorialized in Herb Caen’s final column), he listed the alphabet, selected songs for each letter, and sang them. In later years, he began each day singing. His voice continued strong and pleasant his entire life. At age 90 he thrilled an audience of 200, performing songs in Yiddish with his daughter Kayla.

He is survived by a large and loving family: daughter Dena and husband John, son Lawrence and wife Philleen; son Steve and fiancé Linda; daughter Kayla and close friend Jordan; grandchildren Ashley, Rachel, Sarah, Daniel, Adam and Rebecca; niece Patty; nephews Alan and Kenneth, their children and their children’s families; and many of the Westerman clan, especially Arne and Marty with whom he was very close.

Dan lived a wonderful life. He wanted everyone to celebrate life, not to mourn it. Among his last words were: “Have fun, no matter what.” He was smiling and joking to the end. He believed in living each moment to its fullest, because counting your time is less important than making your time count. The inspiration of his life lives in all of us forever.

Services were held May 22 at Sinai Memorial Chapel, S.F., followed by interment at Home of Peace Cemetery, Colma. Gifts in memory of Daniel can be made to: Hebrew Free Loan Association, Sinai Memorial Chapel, Temple Emanu-El, or the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Sinai Memorial Chapel (415) 921-3636

 

Dr. David S. Wilder

Dave Wilder was a 1947 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, a psychiatrist, and a Fellow of the American Geriatric Society. He passed away on May 11, 2014 at age 90.

He inhabited a life of quiet honesty and authenticity in which curiosity fueled his search for what is real. His quest led to travel and the exploration of foreign lands and to studying the history, customs and rituals he found there. Immersed in a book, poking around the countryside, walking through a city or kneeling in a tide pool, he wanted to know what made things tick. The world was a source of both mystery and discovery, bringing him amazement and delight. As an amateur scientist he took keen interest in exploring the mind as well as the physical world and was endlessly entertained by considering the possibilities of new exploration.

In a profession which allows many approaches, his was direct: to heal his patients so that they could get on with their lives. It was the way he approached most problems, clearly, undaunted, focused and with confidence that a solution was at hand. Both his patients and, in his later professional years as medical director his hospital, benefited from his compassion, intellect and analytical approach.

Socially and politically he was a champion of the underdog, a proponent of equal rights and opportunity for all and had no tolerance for policies that protect the inequities in society.

He was viscerally offended by the self-aggrandizing practices of charlatans, held particular disdain for politicians more concerned with their own welfare than for that of their constituents, and could not abide pomposity in any of its forms.

The most beautiful of his gifts he reserved for his family and friends. He loved Joyce, his wife of 66 years, boundlessly and found his greatest joy in bringing her pleasure and security. Each of his children were unique beneficiaries of his wisdom and guidance. He taught them as well as learned from them. To his grandson he bequeathed his love for science, the natural world and the inquisitiveness to explore his surroundings. As a friend he was loyal, funny, fun-loving and a great companion.

His was a life well lived. He passed quietly. His memory will continue to nourish those who knew him. In his later years his personal mantra became “life is good,” and for those who knew Dave, it most certainly is.