Lee M. Appel

March 30, 1923–Dec. 20, 2014

In San Francisco at age 91. A graduate of Lowell High School in San Francisco. Attended University of California Berkeley. Lee served in WWII Army Air Corps. He married his beloved Joan on June 23, 1945. Lee was a member of Pacific-Starr King Lodge F&AM, San Francisco Scottish Rite 32nd Degree, Asiya Shriners and SIR Branch 4. Lee was a longtime volunteer at the Jewish Home.

Lee is survived by his two children, Ron and wife Faith, Jan and husband Michael, and his four grandchildren, Jennifer, Jason, Elana and Shira. Also by his great-grandchildren Sam Cherniet, Jovan, Paul, Genevieve and Jayleene Appel.

Services were held at Congregation Beth Israel Judea, S.F., followed by interment at Salem Memorial Park, Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations to Congregation Beth Israel Judea would be kindly appreciated.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

(415) 921-3636

Paul Bodner

Paul Bodner, Mr. Lemonade, dies at 68

The Jewish community in Las Vegas has lost one of its most endearing leaders. Paul S. Bodner, known as Mr. Lemonade, died peacefully on Dec. 21, 2014, surrounded by his family. Paul, the father of Bay Area residents Zack and Ronit Bodner, and Gabe and Tamara Bodner, died after a 2.5-year-long struggle with non-smoker’s lung cancer.

Paul was a true Renaissance Man — a husband, father, grandfather and brother, but also a teacher, writer, speaker, humorist, actor, businessman, volunteer and “Rabbinister.” In 2006, after being asked by friends and family to officiate at their weddings, Paul was ordained so he could make it official. His spirituality, humor, passion and big heart made him the ideal officiant for lifecycle events. He just didn’t do brises.

Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, on July 23, 1946 to Ruth and Milton Bodner, Paul grew up with a big sister, Sue, who taught him how to dance to the tunes of “American Bandstand.” As a Jewish kid in New Jersey in the ’50s and ’60s, he felt he wasn’t enough of an outsider, so he chose to forgo football for soccer and guitar for the French horn. He also sang in a doo-wop group called “The Stereos.”

His skill on the soccer field took him to the University of Maryland on scholarship, where he played goalie and was in the TEP fraternity. His best friend and one of his fraternity brothers, Ira Blumenthal, remembers pulling a prank with Paul that involved borrowing a duck from the local duck pond with another fraternity brother, Larry David of “Seinfeld” fame.

Paul met his first wife, Myrna, at the University of Maryland. They were married in 1969 and moved to California with their Afghan hound, Ari, so Paul could pursue an acting career. After starring in “The Crucible” with Dianne Wiest in college, Paul fell in love with the theater, but his acting career was cut short when he enlisted in the Marines and found his roles were limited due to his new haircut.

Paul spent the bulk of his career in the medical field as a recruiter. He placed hundreds of doctors and hospital executives in institutions around the country — as the deliverers of medicine, not the recipients — usually.

Paul continued to act throughout his life, starring in several commercials, in a recurring role on “Archie Bunker’s Place,” and in community theater. He received the Best Supporting Actor award from the Pacific Palisades Theater for his role in “The Odd Couple” in 1992. Paul was also active behind the camera, as one of the co-founders of CineVegas, Las Vegas’ International Film Festival, in 1998.

Paul moved to Las Vegas with his wife, Ellen Levy Bodner, in 1995. Paul and Ellen met as kids in New Jersey and went to their high school prom together 30 years earlier. Their prom picture was the cover of their wedding invitation.

In Las Vegas, Paul was engaged in multiple community and philanthropic causes. He founded the local chapter of AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and served on the boards of the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Center. After Paul was diagnosed with cancer, he became deeply engaged in the NF Hope Concert, a benefit for neurofibromatosis.

Perhaps Paul is best known to his family, friends and fans as Mr. Lemonade. While his children were growing up, Paul wrote a syndicated column sharing stories of fatherhood in the Atlanta Journal Constitution called “A Daddy’s World.” In 2003, Paul’s columns were compiled into a book by the same name. Two other compilations followed, “Teaching with Love, Laughter & Lemonade” and “Living with Love, Laughter & Lemonade,” as part of The Lemonade Series.

Paul’s pure love of life — his optimism, sense of humor and contagious laughter — allowed him to always turn lemons into lemonade. His letters and blog entries at www.paulbodner.com were signed “With love, laughter and lemonade.” And his final book, “My Lemonade Life: A Memoir of Living with Love, Laughter and Now … Cancer,” is a testament to his ability to practice what he preached. Paul’s advice to his kids was: “Follow your heart” — and that he did until the very end.

Paul leaves an amazing legacy through all the lives he has touched, but his greatest pride was in his family. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, son Zack and his wife Ronit, son Gabe and his wife Tamara, and grandchildren Talia, Noah, Elie, Ethan and Orly Bodner. He is also survived by stepchildren Wendy and Scott Blaney, Adam and Nancy Millstein, and Jason and Melissa Millstein, along with grandchildren Jessica and Alex Nathan, Jack Millstein and Jake Blaney. He is mourned by his sister Susan Katz and her husband Bernie Katz, their children Ralph and Bonnie Katz, and Debbie and Carl Berkelhammer, as well as numerous cousins and friends.

Services were held in Las Vegas. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Paul’s memory to The Caring Place (www.thecaringplacenv.org), Nathan Adelson Hospice (www.nah.org) or NF Hope (www.nfhope.org).

Hal Hoffman

Longtime Albany resident Hal Hoffman passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 4, 2014 at the age of 96. For all of us that were fortunate to be part of his life, we will sincerely miss his warmth, kindness and sense of humor. He was a remarkable man, and his passing heralds the end of an era, the likes of which we shall never see again.

Hal was born in Germany on Aug. 20, 1918 and immigrated to the USA, where he worked in a nursery on Staten Island, New York, until he joined the U.S. Army. He was wounded while fighting in France, and after several stops along the way, ended up in San Francisco at Letterman Hospital where he recovered from his wounds.

He studied Horticulture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, then moved to Southern California, where he met the love of his life, Mona, who passed away much too soon in 1974. Hal Hoffman’s real estate and notary public office was a fixture on Solano Avenue for many years, and he continued to work there until his passing.

Hal is survived by his three children, Diane, Stan and Lisa, his three grandchildren, Samantha, Aaron and Lea, as well as numerous family members around the world.

All of us were fortunate to have him with us for a good long time, and he was fortunate to have all of you who looked after him so well. We will all gain much comfort from the happy memories that we have of him.

Laureen Lotte Hoffman

Laureen Lotte Hoffman, age 92, of Emeryville, California, died Nov. 21, 2014.

Born Nov. 4, 1922 in Germany, she escaped the Holocaust by fleeing in 1940 with her father and mother to the U.S., where they settled in San Francisco.

Laureen worked with feminine apparel sales in some of the distinguished shops, married and had one son, Michael Hoffman, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident 13 years ago.

Services were held at the Home of Eternity Cemetery in the presence of her loved ones, relatives and friends. Arrangements by Sinai Memorial Chapel-Lafayette.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

(925) 962-3636

Burton (Bud) Silver

March 22, 1931–Dec. 14, 2014

A resident of Burlingame, California. Beloved husband of Beverly Derish. Loving father of Eileen Goldman (Mark) and Leslie Silver (Larry Dougherty). Grandpa of Alison Goldman and Benjamin Dougherty. Stepfather of Melinda Derish (Nicky Scott), Pamela Derish (Ed Luby) and Wendy Derish (Brad Reynolds). Step-grandpa to Mitchel and Isaac Scott, Ben and Noah Derish-Luby and Canyon and Alia Reynolds. Brother of Joan Silver, Mary Hayes (deceased) and Murray Silver. “Sweet” uncle to Sharon and David Hayes.

After graduating from Rutgers University, Bud became an Air Force pilot in the Korean War.

He was a lifetime spiritual seeker of the truth, loved by many.

Private services were held. Donations to American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

Robert Ferdinand Weinberger

Nov. 4, 1929–Dec. 15, 2014

Born in San Francisco, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Morrie and Josephine. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Beverley, the love of his life; his sons Mark and Brad (Jessica); and his grandson, Zachary — the twinkle in his eyes! He was a veteran, having served his country during the Korean conflict.

Bob was a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and San Francisco Law School. He was an attorney in private practice for 50 years, having first begun his career at the firm of Herron & Winn. In 2002-2003, he served his community on the San Mateo County Grand Jury.

Over the years he was involved with Scouting, serving as District Commissioner (Golden Gate District), President of S.F. Park Presidio Lions Club, and a member of the Fraternal Order of the Masons, Fidelity Lodge 120 (joined 1955). He was a proud Democrat and voracious reader of history, politics and world events, and always rooted for his S.F. Giants and 49ers. Bob was a devoted and beloved husband, father and grandfather, and will be deeply missed by his family and dear friends. He will be loved and remembered forever.

Services were held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association or the Jewish National Fund.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

(415) 921-3636

Robin Winburn

We have lost the gracious, compassionate and generous presence of Robin Winburn, who passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2014.

Robin shared a long love affair with her husband, Bennett Woll. She was deeply loved by her sister Lauri Winburn Taylor, brother David Winburn and stepchildren Ilan Woll and Dena (David) Woll Raminick and her grandsons Noah and Shelby. Her extended family, Robert and Monika Woll, Wendy Woll and Bill Binenstock, their daughter Sacha, and Ron and Tammy Woll, were very important to Robin and loved as well.

Robin was born in Salt Lake City, but left that world behind for San Francisco, a city she loved with all her heart. She may have left Salt Lake but her strong family ties to art, music and love of nature only grew stronger.

She graduated magna cum laude from the University of San Francisco College of Professional Studies in Human Relations and Organizational Behavior. She put this to good use with a job she loved — writing policy for the Levi Strauss Corporation. However, if you asked her occupation she would have replied, “Artist.” Creating one-of-a-kind art books was a passion that never dwindled.

Robin married Bennett in 1984. In addition to finding her one true love, she embraced his passion for Judaism, as they studied with Reb Zalman. She went on to become a Bat Mitzvah and afterward continued with Hebrew studies and Torah study.

Robin found joy in every aspect of her life. She loved to cook, especially for friends. She had a quick and ready wit and loved puns. She took great joy in beautifully organizing every compartment of her life. She experienced joy in music and art: the symphony and museums were a big part of that.

She loved learning new things, and a really good day involved new words and new concepts.

Her family and friends were the most important part of her life. Her strength, compassion and wisdom touched many people. Her bright energy, quick wit, huge smile and thoughtfully considered opinions were a gift to anyone who received them.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers from Care for Seniors, her neighbors and members of BIJ who all provided love, comfort and support for Robin.

In lieu of flowers, she would be honored by donations to Congregation Beth Israel Judea, A Home Away from Homelessness, or the California Academy of Sciences.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

(415) 921-3636