Howard Marcus: A Legacy of Compassion & Creativity

Howard Marcus: A Legacy of Compassion & Creativity

Lynne Kass | Jewish Long Beach, VP Fund & Community Development

In honoring the life of their father, Howard Marcus (z”l), Dr. Richard Marcus and his sister, Lisa Marcus, have established a Donor Directed Legacy Gift through Jewish Long Beach. Their contribution is both a celebration of Howard's legacy and a way to continue supporting the causes he held dear. The fund includes unanticipated monies left in Howard's estate, along with additional contributions from Richard and Lisa over the years, now ready to support projects that align with their father's passions.

Howard Marcus lived a remarkable life. Born into a poor family in Brooklyn, Howard faced many challenges, including antisemitism and hardship, but he always exhibited resilience, curiosity, and kindness. He was taken in by a Lubavitch group, where he expanded his studies in both secular and Jewish topics, developing a lifelong love of learning. Howard never graduated college, but his pursuit of knowledge for the sake of knowledge was evident in his habits—he read a book a week for his entire life, with remarkable retention. His home was filled with books (many bookshelves worth that are now part of Richard’s home), each one reflecting his father's diverse interests in philosophy, as well as Jewish history, culture and family values.

Howard was also a talented photographer. While his passion was nature photography, he started his photography career by capturing weddings and Bar & Bat Mitzvahs and later transitioned into construction photography, documenting major projects in California and the Pacific Northwest - everything from large commercial developments to the rebuilding of Mariners Stadium in Seattle. Richard now safeguards 24 large fire safes of his father’s negatives in his garage, a testament to the depth and legacy of his work.

To Richard and Lisa, their father's greatest legacy was his kindness and commitment to helping others. Howard lived by the philosophy, “Do what you need to do when others need help.” Richard recalls a story about his father, then in a difficult financial position himself, giving money to his friend, who was being raised by a single mother and needed transportation to get to school and work. Howard's generosity helped buy a motorcycle, ensuring the young man had a way forward in life. It was this spirit of compassion, paired with a strong commitment to family, that Richard and Lisa seek to honor through their legacy gift.

Howard's commitment to family was central to his life. Even after he and his wife divorced, he worked hard to ensure that family remained the priority. His older brother, Michael, describes him as the “Hakham”—the wise one of the family—someone whose advice was sought in times of decision. Lisa also emphasized how her father’s guidance influenced her own decision-making, while Richard remembers Howard as a trusted sounding board, even for moments as unique as preparing a defense for traffic court using a parallel to the Nuremberg Trials (be sure to ask Richard for the full story next time you see him!). Howard always found ways to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and learning.

Reflecting on how to honor their father's passions and values, Richard and Lisa have considered several ideas for directing the funds. They are committed to finding the right projects—ones that reflect the spirit of curiosity, compassion, and commitment that defined Howard's life. “Who is wise? He who learns from everyone,” said Ben Zoma in Pirkei Avot, and Howard embodied this wisdom every day. His legacy, managed through Jewish Long Beach, will continue to inspire and uplift the community.

For Richard and Lisa, there’s comfort in knowing their father's legacy will be carried forward by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Long Beach, and that the values Howard cherished will continue to benefit others. As the Talmud tells us, “The highest form of wisdom is kindness,” a fitting reminder of the life Howard Marcus led and the impact he continues to have.

If you feel inspired by Howard’s story and want to learn about the difference you can make with a Legacy Gift, contact Kevin Giser at kgiser@jewishlongbeach.org or 562.426.7601 ext. 1011