Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.

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Stanley C. Lichtenstein

June 5, 1926–Aug, 21, 2019

Stan Lichtenstein passed away peacefully after a brief illness. Stan was born and raised in San Francisco. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. After his Navy service, Stanley enrolled in University of Pacific on the GI Bill, graduating in 1949. From there, he embarked on his first career in broadcasting.

In 1956, Stanley married Diane Claire Dietz, beloved wife for 61 years. After completing a master’s degree at San Francisco State University in 1970, Stan began his second career, as a professor at Chabot College in Hayward, where he created a broadcasting degree program. Stan exercised throughout his life, completing two marathons and 10 half-marathons; he worked out three times a week at Mariner Square Athletic Club until his death at age 93. Stan also enjoyed the ukulele and performed with the Trinity Lutheran “Uke Group” in Alameda. Stan was president of Temple Sinai in Oakland from 1980-1982. Alameda residents for over 20 years, Stan and Diane participated in many civic activities before moving in 2014 to Oakland’s Lake Park Retirement Community.

Stanley deeply loved his wife, Diane, their 4 sons: Gary (wife Kaye), Moshe (wife Rachel), Benyamin and Scott (wife Sarah); 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Those who knew Stan will deeply miss his warmth, humor, sensitivity and joyful spirit. Donations may be sent to the Sotomayor Advancing Women’s Leadership Fund, University of Pacific Advancement Services, 3601 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA, 95211.

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Isaac B. Nittenberg

Sept. 18, 1927–Aug. 30, 2019

Isaac B. Nittenberg, age 92, passed away on August 30, 2019. Isaac was born in Lódz, Poland, to Dora and Fiszel Nitenberg who, along with his sister Rachel, perished in the Holocaust. Isaac was the only member of his family to survive.

From ages 13 to 18, Isaac endured great suffering under Nazi internment. In the early years of World War II, Isaac was subjected to hard labor in the Lódz Ghetto. After four years of back-breaking work and near starvation, he and his family were shipped to Auschwitz on the last transport out of the ghetto. At Auschwitz, all but Isaac were gassed. Isaac was subsequently transferred to four other camps until finally arriving at Türkheim where, during the last days of the war, he and a friend escaped with help and compassion from a commanding officer who heard of the coming death marches and wanted to get the two boys out. While escaping, Isaac was shot in the leg but managed to hide on a farm until the boys were given ID papers from an American convoy. With documentation, they then were able to bike, hike and hitchhike toward safety. Initially heading toward Switzerland, they got a tip to go to Memmingen where MPs took them to a hospital. Here Isaac was treated for gangrene that had developed in his leg and recuperated for six weeks. After the war, Isaac spent a few years in Germany helping American Intelligence identify Nazis. Then in the 1980s, he testified at the war crime tribunals at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Although at last physically free, Isaac would never be released from the memories of unimaginable suffering and loss. What made life bearable were laughter, soccer, good food, acts of kindness and compassion that he noticed with outsized gratitude, and the lasting friendships he made after coming to the United States.

Upon immigrating to the U.S., Isaac first settled in Patterson, New Jersey, where he joined the U.S. Army in hopes of getting an education. After his military service, he moved to Los Angeles where, through employment, he learned how to upholster furniture. Eventually, he settled in the Bay Area where he started his own upholstery business, played soccer, and was an assistant coach for the Hakoach soccer team. He met and married Denise Dakin and lived in the Richmond District of San Francisco with their son, Philip. Isaac and Denise started a gourmet food line called B and K Gourmet which sold at local retailers such as Neiman Marcus. Some years after Denise’s death, Isaac married Sue Jones. They resided in San Rafael, California, until her death in 2018.

Isaac is survived by his son, Philip, two grandchildren, and the great many lives he touched and people he cared about. He led an extraordinary life and will be remembered for his fierce, unstoppable spirit and strong will. Isaac was the ultimate survivor. Per his wishes, he will be buried at the Home of Peace Cemetery next to his first wife, Denise.

Many thanks to Café by the Bay, SFVA, Brian Brown at JFCS, Rhoda Goldman Plaza, and the Negoesco Family, especially Steve and Steve Jr.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, and/or the Steve Negoesco Soccer Fund at USF.

SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPEL

SAN FRANCISCO

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Ari McGuire

July 19, 1996–Aug. 21, 2019

Stricken with grief, we say goodbye to our singular Ari McGuire, who suffered an accidental death on Aug. 21 at the age of only 23.

Ari was a member of the U.S. Army’s 82^nd Airborne, where he made close friendships and entertained others with his humorous stories and easy, distinctive laugh. His commanders uniformly assessed him to be a top reconnaissance scout and soldier. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for exceptional meritorious service.

Still, he was a little bit of everything. During down time, everyone knew Ari could be found in a corner, reading classic literature or a fantasy novel. He was a creative thinker, who enjoyed being on the move both intellectually and physically. He loved to run across his native city of San Francisco, often to class at the School of the Arts, where he graduated in 2015.

One of Ari’s biggest assets was his heart of gold. Friends, family, soldiers and commanders loved him as he so loved and cared for them. He is mourned most by his mother, Carole De Nola, and his father, Joseph McGuire.

Extended family and friends, too many to mention here, will hold him in their hearts eternally.

Services were held at Sherith Israel on Aug. 25, followed by a military ceremony.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in Ari’s memory may consider these three organizations: Army Emergency Relief (aerhq.org), Fisher House Foundation (fisherhouse.org) and Project Rozana (projectrozana.org).

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Matook R. Nissim

Born: Shanghai, Nov. 5, 1923
Deceased: Walnut Creek, Sept. 8, 2018
You made my heart sing!

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Sherman Russell “Rusty” Selix Jr.

Sept. 23, 1950–Aug. 27, 2019

Sherman Russell “Rusty” Selix Jr. passed away peacefully on Aug. 27 in San Francisco at age 68, after an inspirational three-year battle with ALS. He was surrounded by his family.

Rusty was born on Sept. 23, 1950, to Doré and Sherman Selix Sr. in San Francisco. He attended Town School for Boys, Lick Wilmerding High School, Northwestern University, where he received a degree in economics, and University of California at Davis, where he was awarded a Juris Doctorate. Most of his professional life was spent in Sacramento, where he initially practiced as an attorney for the League of California Cities. Later, he served as a lobbyist and Executive Director for the Mental Health Association of California and the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies for over 30 years.

Notably, Rusty collaborated with Darrell Steinberg to launch Proposition 63, which became the California Mental Health Services Act of 2004, one of the first such acts in the U.S. to provide funding for mental health services. Rusty devoted his professional life to serving others, giving a voice to those whose voices were unheard. Once he was diagnosed with ALS, he used his political acumen to garner significant state funding for wrap-around clinical care for those with ALS.

Rusty is survived by wife, Nancy Whittington Selix, his three children, his stepson, and their partners whom he loved so much: Amy Selix (Ryan Little), Shae Selix (Jason Lillie), Sydney Selix and Daniel Green. He is survived by his siblings, step-siblings, and their partners: Joan Selix Berman (Mitch Berman), John Selix (Dena Selix), Greg Gabby, Maria Gabby and Tina Gabby (Daniel Moynihan). He is survived by his mother, Doré Tonkin Selix Gabby, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. His father, Sherman “Sherm” Selix, and stepfather, James Gabby, preceded him in death.

Rusty will be remembered for the tireless work that he has done in mental health and his never-ending devotion to the underserved. He was an avid hiker, golfer, Skylake Yosemite Camp counselor, a world traveler, and a lifelong Grateful Dead, 49ers and Giants fan. His life will always be remembered by the good he has done in the world, the love he had for helping others, and his devotion to his family and friends.

A memorial service was held on Aug. 30 at Congregation Emanu-El.

In lieu of flowers, Rusty requested donations to two charities: ALS Association, Golden West Chapter, 28632 Roadside Drive, No. 173, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, (web.alsa.org/goto/shae) or Mental Health America, 500 Montgomery St., No. 820, Alexandria, VA 22314 (mentalhealthamerica.net)

SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPEL

SAN FRANCISCO

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Carol Shivel

Nov. 12, 1933–Aug. 20, 2019

On Aug. 20, 2019, Carol Shivel, Shira Leah bat Avraham v’Sara, breathed her final breath on Earth, leaving behind a legacy of playfulness, spirituality, intellect and effusive love for her family and friends. Those who knew her will recall the ever-present sparkle in her eye — for she met the world with joy and curiosity. Whether dancing to the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” or buying orange juice at her corner market, Carol emanated warmth and sharpness.

Carol was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Nov. 12, 1933, to parents Ralph B. Shivel and Ruth (Wilbur) Shivel. Carol and her older sister, Jean (1929-2014), spent their childhood summers enjoying their family lake cabin, a tradition that has persisted. After Carol’s freshman year of college, she married Bob Cubberly. With two little boys, they moved to Oberlin, Ohio in 1959. In 1965, they divorced and Carol became the single mother of an 11- and 8-year-old. The house resonated with the sounds of the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin.

In 1969, Carol married Mark Papworth, a college professor, and in 1972, the family moved to the deep forest of Delphi Road in Olympia, Washington. In Olympia, Carol opened a bookstore with Carol Mckinley, and completed her bachelor’s degree at the Evergreen State College. Once her sons were grown, Carol’s intellectual and spiritual passion led her to pursue a master of theology at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, part of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.

Shortly after completing her degree, Carol converted to Judaism and was a member of Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto and worked at the Jewish bookstore Bob and Bob. She then moved to Berkeley, where she became an active member of the Orthodox synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel. It was there, in Berkeley, that Carol lived some of the best years of her life surrounded by friends, a strong spiritual life (including many trips to Israel), a condo full of flowers and two grandchildren. In 2016, when she had advanced dementia, her sons moved her back to Olympia, to an assisted-living facility. Burial was at Temple Beth Hatfiloh’s historic cemetery in Tumwater, Washington.

Carol was a strong woman, a responsible, loving mother and a wonderful friend. The world has lost a shining light of kindness and grace. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her friends, and the family who survive her: Scott W. and Annie Cubberly of Olympia, and Robert B. Cubberly of San Francisco, and two grandchildren, Jessie E. and Henry S. Cubberly.