Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Lorin B. Blum
April 6, 1938–May 25, 2023
Lorin Blum passed away peacefully at the age of 85, surrounded by his adoring family at his home in Oakland on May 25, 2023. Lorin was a highly respected attorney, loving partner, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, loyal friend and enthusiastic mentor to many. He was caring, funny and full of energy, and when he was with you, he gave you his undivided attention.
Born in Oakland at Merritt Hospital on April 6, 1938, to Esther Rothman Blum and Melbourne Blum, Lorin lived in the East Bay all of his life. His brother, Edward, was eight years younger. The family lived in Richmond for Lorin’s first 20 years, before moving to Oakland after their father passed away.
Growing up, Lorin was surrounded by a large extended family including aunts, uncles, cousins and neighborhood friends. Holidays were often celebrated with backyard barbecues with relatives and close friends. Throughout his life, family gatherings were central to him, and Lorin loved being part of them.
Lorin attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Richmond, graduating from Richmond High in 1955. He kept up with many of his high school friends, helping to organize and emcee at their frequent class reunions. Following high school, Lorin attended UC Berkeley, along with several of his cousins, where he was a member of Pi Lambda Phi, graduating in 1959. He went on to attend Hastings College of the Law (class of 1962). He was delighted that his granddaughters followed in his footsteps, Isabel to Cal and Lily to University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly, Hastings College of the Law).
Cal football was an important part of Lorin’s life, and he had season tickets with his family. But his favorite football game was the turkey bowl, which he started with his brother in 1973 to occupy his two oldest sons while Thanksgiving dinner was being prepared. The turkey bowl has been played for over 50 years, with three generations of Blums and their friends. No one will forget his loud-pitched whistle to rally the troops! Not only did he use it at the games, but also to get attention whenever he deemed it necessary.
For 55 years, Lorin practiced law in Oakland. He began as a general practitioner, but soon moved to specialize in family law starting in the early 1970s. In the mid 1980s, he started what has now become the family law practice of Blum, Gibbs, Davies & Owen. His clients adored him, and opposing attorneys respected and enjoyed working with him. He was one of the first certified family law specialists in Alameda County.
The East Bay Jewish community was also an important part of Lorin’s life. He was a member of Temple Sinai in Oakland for most of his life, confirmed there at age 16 and still attending in his 80s. In addition, he belonged to Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, where his three younger children had their bar and bat mitzvahs. Lorin spent many years volunteering his time for the Home for Jewish Parents when it was located in Oakland, an institution that was started, in part, by his grandparents.
Lorin had a special ability to rebound from tragic life events, including the premature death of his wife Ivy, z”l. He was Amy and Nicole’s loving dad and mentor, joining sons Wayne and Tyler as Blums. He relished being part of all of their lives.
In his retirement, Lorin enjoyed traveling with his longtime partner Jean, visiting with his children and grandchildren, reading, walking, hosting his annual Blumagundi soup event, and seeing family and old friends.
Lorin is lovingly remembered by many: his partner, Jean Brady; his brother Edward Blum (Robin); his children, Matthew Joseph, z”l, Wayne Blum (Kerry), Nicole Blum Kaplan (Jason Kurnik), Amy Blum Suddleson (Geoffrey), Tyler Blum (Michelle Meier), David Pregerson (Anna Mosich), Scott Pregerson (Eva); his grandchildren Lily, Isabel, Jake, Nate, Madalyn, Zander, Brooklyn, Hudson, Micah, Eli, Lily P, Luke and Matteo; his former wife Laurie Karzen; Susan Thacker, z”l; the extended Hertz and Donner families; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, colleagues and friends.
Contributions in Lorin’s memory may be made to the Family Violence Law Center in Oakland, the Alameda County Community Food Bank, or Temple Isaiah, Lafayette (The Ivy Blum Memorial Fund).
David Howard Kobe
July 2, 1946–May 4, 2023
David Kobe passed away at age 76 after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of two children born to Abraham and Norma Kobe. After graduating from Brooklyn College and majoring in economics, David took a road trip with some friends from New York to San Francisco. When his friends were ready to head back home, David told them that he decided to stay, and they should leave without him! — Quite a surprise.
He proceeded to make a new life for himself, trying out different jobs in the Bay Area and eventually choosing to become a tax accountant and enrolled agent. Years later, he started his own business — David H. Kobe and Associates in San Francisco. In addition, he pursued a career as a certified financial planner through Protected Investors of America and Cambridge Investments. His son, a certified financial analyst, later joined him in his businesses. David became semi-retired but worked until 2023 from his relocated office in South San Francisco.
While immersed in his occupation, David married his girlfriend, Marjorie Shaw, in 1981, adopted his young stepson, Justin, and became a new father to their daughter, Serena, in 1983.
In later years, David became an avid tennis player — nationally ranked — and played doubles two to three times a week. He exercised regularly at Prime Time Athletic Club, which was almost his second home.
The family took yearly trips to Florida to see family and old friends for over 40 years.
David was, undoubtedly, one of the “good guys,” always doing the right thing. He was a man of integrity — honest, ethical, intelligent, sociable, a volunteer at a couple of organizations, and a loyal and loving husband and father.
We thank Penitoa “Ben” Faleafa for being a devoted caregiver and companion to David during his brief illness.
David is survived by his wife, Marjorie; his children, Justin Kobe (Haydee) and Serena Kobe (Doron Katz); grandchildren Sascha Kobe and Evander Katz; his sister, Justine Pardell; brother-in law Howard Shaw (Nora Krauss); cousin Patsy Kobe (Bob Ackerman); four nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
A funeral service was held in May at Home of Peace in Colma. Donations may be made to a Lung Cancer Research Foundation, 501 7th Ave. Suite 230, New York, NY 10018 or Peninsula Temple Sholom, 1655 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010.
Claudette Rhae Myatt Greenblat
July 1, 1938–May 17, 2023
Mom, Mother-in-Law, Bubbe and all-around family-leader passed away surrounded by her loving family. Claudette outlived her aggressive Stage 4 cancer by 3½ years.
She was a proud fourth-generation native San Franciscan. Her Mother, Irene Hersvick, z”l, and grandparents Minnie and Milton Cook z”ls, raised her on Ocean Ave. in a home behind Cook’s Dry Goods. Claudette shared many stories about growing up in the neighborhood, visiting with friends, and serving customers as a very young salesperson at her grandmother’s store. Mom attended Commodore Sloat Elementary, Aptos Jr. High, Balboa HS and SF City College. Along the way, she formed a tight group of friends through Amies Tri Y at the newly opened Stonestown Y and won the San Francisco girls volleyball championship. The “girls” continued to have an enduring friendship that began a tradition of taking their mothers out for Mother’s Day brunch as teens, evolving into an annual, multi-generational Mother’s Day lunch 70 years later.
After her mother Irene married Alfred Hersvick, z”l, she gained a loving stepfather; his family in Norway becoming part of her own family.
Claudette met the love of her life, Richard Greenblat, z”l, on a blind date and got engaged in the back of her beloved future in-laws’ hardware store on Fillmore St. Claudette and Rich’s union was a fairy tale that began at San Francisco’s Temple Emanu-El in 1958. Together they bought their first home in Daly City and soon had their first two children, David and Lori. Later, when they moved to Fairfax, along came Leah, their youngest child.
Shortly after moving to Fairfax, Claudette joined the local B’nai Brith Women’s Tamar chapter. Throughout Marin County she became known as BBW’s Dolls for Democracy Lady for her volunteer work teaching children about famous Americans. With her Tamar chapter friends, she helped organize their big fundraiser, the Kosher Kitchen at the Marin County Fair and she served as both chapter and West Coast Regional president and sat on the BBW/JWI National Board of Directors.
Claudette was our family historian and organizer, bringing all relatives and friends under her wings. She was an excellent cook and baker known for her matzah ball soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate bundt cake. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery and in later years became obsessed with knitting, making creations for her family, friends and the unhoused.
Not just a Super Mom, cook extraordinaire and volunteer supreme, Claudette also worked as a library aid at Fairfax Schools before getting her all-time favorite job working in the Marin County office of the Jewish Community Federation, where she was thrilled to put all of her organizing skills to work helping the Jewish community. Claudette also served on the Rodef Sholom board and organized their first annual campaign, which allowed the synagogue to set up an endowment.
Claudette, Rich and kids camped across the United States three times, and together traveled the world visiting Mexico, Canada, South America, Pacific Islands, Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. From these adventures she knew the best coffee shops and yarn stores around the world. She and Rich shared their love of cruising with their children and grandchildren, and took the family on several worldwide adventures.
But an adventure didn’t need to be grand. She loved planning local “Bubbe/Zayde Outings” with her four grandchildren or playing tea party with her great-granddaughter.
Claudette is predeceased by her beloved husband Richard z”l and grandson Alex Wick z”l. She is survived by her children David (Angeline) Greenblat, Lori (Bob) Greenblat-Wick and Leah Greenblat; by her grandchildren Rachel (Daniel) Duffy, Elyse (Andrew) Bartell and Kevin Wick; her first great-granddaughter Fiona Duffy; and many close cousins and great friends.
A memorial was held on June 4, 2023.
Claudette requested that donations in her memory be made to the Congregation Rodef Sholom capital campaign or By the Bay Health (hospice).
Shirley Israel
Aug. 31, 1920–May 31, 2023
At nearly 103 years old, Shirley passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, in Novato, California.
Born in San Francisco, Shirley moved to Millbrae shortly after her children were born and later to Foster City and then to San Jose. She was the daughter of Jacob Gold of San Francisco. Shirley was married to her dear husband Charles Israel until his passing in 1986 after which she spent many wonderful years with her loving partner Bob Semichy at their home in San Jose.
She loved, and was loved, by her many dear friends and family members. She is survived by her children, Vicki and Doug Coffman of San Jose and David and Evelyn Israel of San Anselmo as well as her 5 grandchildren, Susie Arango (Camillo), Judy Spenser (Jeff), Melanie Krueer (Michi), Jessica Buck (John), Jason Israel (Jen), and her 9 great grandchildren. She is also survived by Bob’s loving family, Bob Jr. (Liz), Jocelyn (Kevin), Alison (Max).
Shirley was a kind and loving soul and had a zest for life, spending time tending to her garden. For years she enjoyed square dancing, line dancing and attending theater. Shirley also worked as a pharmacist’s assistant for Kaiser until she retired.
Shirley was born during the 1920s pandemic only to face the required isolation of the latest pandemic 100 years later, which took its toll. She moved to the Memory Care Unit at Oakmont of Novato this past February.
Her life was a journey. One well spent. She will always be in our hearts and her legacy will live on through the kindness and many lessons she shared.
No flowers please. Donations to By the Bay Health, hospice care or charity of your choice.