Famous Ezra

MARVIN ROGUL passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022, in Bethesda, Maryland.

Marvin was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 19, 1932. He is the son of Sarah (née Klearman) and Irvin Rogul. His branches of beloved cousins from the St. Louis area include the Chervitz, Berger, Rogul, Klearman, Chaskelson and Gelles families.

While in elementary school, Marvin became a member of The Eagles club at Council House, establishing boyhood friendships that lasted throughout his life. He graduated from Soldan Blewitt High School in 1949 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri in 1953.

Following two years of service in the U.S. Army, he earned a Master’s degree from the University of Missouri in 1957 and a PhD in microbiology from The Ohio State University in 1962.

Marvin spent most of his career at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Washington, DC, where he contributed as an immunology researcher, a department chief, and the initiator of a program of technology transfer from the government to the private sector.

Marvin had a tremendous zest for life and a great sense of humor. He was a bit of a puckish rapscallion, much to the delight of all those around him. He had boundless intellectual curiosity and was an ardent researcher, original thinker, and writer. He savored the many aspects of nature and loved the outdoors: avidly skiing, canoeing, cycling, and running. Most notably, Marvin developed an enduring, lifelong passion for birding.

Marvin was a Zionist and a passionate supporter of Israel.

Until his very last breath at 90 years of age, Marvin was happily married and deeply in love with his wife of more than 48 years, June (Silver) Rogul. He and June have two sons, Jonathan and Daniel, both of whom Marvin was extremely proud.

Marvin was a member of Congregation Har Shalom, a conservative synagogue in Potomac, Maryland. He was laid to rest at the Garden of Remembrance in Clarksburg, MD. His funeral was held at Congregation Har Shalom on Tuesday, August 9, and can be viewed online at the Har Shalom service’s livestream archives.

Contributions in Marvin’s memory can be made to Americans United for Separation of Church and State or The American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (ASPNI).

PAUL ERNEST SCHOOMER, September 23, 1939-August 13, 2022

Beloved husband of Suzanne Schoomer, devoted father of Sarah (Gabriel Caffrey), Ivan, and Elanor (Benjamin Smyser), much loved saba to Naomi Smyser, Bronwyn Caffrey, and Hazel Smyser. Son of the late Ben Zion Schoomer and the late Chana (nee Wax). Brother of the late Hadassah Chervitz (Hyman) and the late Wil Schoomer (Ann).

Paul was a proud graduate of University City High School (class of 1957) and was inducted into its Hall of Fame. He was best known as the face of Paul’s Books in University City from 1973 to 1996. He was instrumental in building the Delmar Loop into a viable commercial district through his work establishing and then acting as the initial president of the Special Benefit Taxing District. He was especially honored to serve for twenty years on the city council of University City.

He was also proud of his service in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965, where he was a meteorologist in Montgomery, Alabama, and in Bermuda. He periodically traveled to work on archaeological digs in Missouri, Illinois, and Greece. He was a senior lecturer in anthropology at University of Missouri, Saint Louis. He volunteered with the St. Louis Holocaust Center and was a member of Jewish War Veterans.

Paul lost an eye to ocular cancer almost seven years ago. When it metastasized to his liver six weeks ago, he accepted the invaluable help of hospice. He died peacefully at home with his family.

A funeral service was held Thursday, August 18th at Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman at Kingshighway, followed by private family interment. Contributions would be appreciated to Central Reform Congregation, Planned Parenthood, NPR, or the charity of your choice. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

ROBERTALLAN SILVERMAN, August 18, 2022

Born March 23, 1936 to the late Dr. Irving Silverman and Pearl Mantel Silverman. Robert graduated Midwood High School, Brooklyn, NY 1952. He earned his BA degree from Columbia University and his DDS degree from NYU in 1960. He served in the US Army at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri as an oral surgeon and went on to establish a practice in oral surgery at the Saint Charles Clinic for 25 years.

He was preceded in death by his son, Neil Mark Silverman and younger brother, Jay (Penny) Silverman of Asheville, NC. He is survived by his partner and dearest love Helen Becker, his daughter Julie Eastlund, step-children Pam (Dan) Temm, Cathy (John) Wheatley, and Tracy (Ernie) Howell, along with grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Our dear relative and friend.

Roadside service Friday, August 26, 11:30am at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Independence Center of St. Louis, 4245 Forest Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108. A Rindskopf-Roth Service

HOWARD STERN SMOTKIN passed away peacefully on August 9, 2022 after a 9-month battle with cancer.

Born on Saturday, January 21, 1961 in York, Pennsylvania, Howard was the second child of Leonard and Mina Smotkin. He has one older brother, Lee.

After earning his accounting degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, Howard moved to Missouri to attend law school at St. Louis University. He was the kind of guy who always sat in the front of the class.

After law school, Howard worked for more than 30 years as a practicing attorney. He spent 25 of those years at the St. Louis firm Stone, Leyton and Gershman. His clients would describe him as focused, diligent, and, most importantly, kind. Howard worked hard and earned an excellent reputation among colleagues and clients alike. He served as co-founder and general counsel of Meds & Food for Kids, an organization that helps bring nutrition to some of the most vulnerable children in Haiti, for more than 18 years.

In the early 1990s, Howard met the love of his life, Barbi, through their mutual friends Steve and Ann Dioneda. Howard and Barbi spent 28 wonderful years together as husband and wife. They are proof that opposites attract.

To his four children, Michael, Lauren, Emily, and Julia, Howard was a hero and a rock. He was a stoic beacon for many others, too – always the first to answer a call for help, no matter who, or when, or where.

Howard always dreamed of retiring on a farm with horses. His family takes solace in the idea that at this very moment, he is somewhere in the universe, on a beautiful horse farm with his mother, father, and friends gone too soon.

Howard was, is, and always will be our hero. We love him infinitely, will miss him endlessly, and will continue to see him in all the beauty of the world.

Though the last 9 months have been difficult, the family would like to publicly thank the village that has held them up during this time: Fred and Sue Wolter, Deanna Plab, Howard’s oncologist, Dr. Paul Mehan, the amazing nurses and staff at Missouri Baptist, and so many others. We love you, and we are thankful for you.

A funeral service was held Friday, August 12 at Congregation Temple Israel, 1 Alvan D. Rubin Drive. Interment followed at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for Live Stream information.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions preferred to Meds & Food for Kids, 8050 Watson Road, Ste. 355, St. Louis, MO 63119 or the Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation, Cancer Center Fund, 3015 North Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63131. Berger Memorial Service

PENNYGREEN STEINER, August 21, 2022

Beloved wife of Dr. Robert M. Steiner; dear mother and mother-in-law of Andrew Steiner (Lori) and Robin Fox (David Huff); dear grandmother of Allison, Ethan, and Jamie Steiner and Corey, Samantha, and Quinn Fox; dear sister of the late Arlene Neft; dear sister-in-law of Alan Steiner (Jean); dear aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

Penny was passionate about her grandchildren and loved her visits and their achievements. Penny was an avid photographer and her love of travel allowed her to capture amazing images that she enjoyed sharing with family, friends, and the St. Louis Camera Club.

A memorial service was held via Live Stream on Tuesday, August 23. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for details. Memorial contributions preferred to the St. Louis Jewish Light or the charity of your choice. Berger Memorial Service

SIDNEY EUGENE WASSERMAN, age 90, Marietta, GA. Born in St. Louis, MO on January 8, 1932, Beloved husband of Marcia Wasserman for 62 incredible years; Sid passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, Sunday, August 7, 2022.

Born to Abraham and Amy, he went to University City High School, Washington University, graduating from The University of Missouri with a BA and MBA in Finance. He was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. He worked as co-owner of the retail chain Fashion Lane with his brothers Jerry and Bill until he retired. Retirement did not suit his active spirit and he became a real estate agent, broker in St. Louis with Coldwell Banker, continuing in Orlando for many years.

The father of Anthony Wasserman of Tampa, father and father-in-law of Amy (Jeff) Tatro; adoring grandfather of Jaquelyn (Tom) Hurdle and Nicole Tatro of Atlanta. Preceded in death by his brothers Jerry (Eleanor) Wasserman of Orlando and Bill (Shirley) Wasserman of Dallas. Dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

Sid made an indelible impression on all who knew him - there was no one quite like him, and his legacy shall live on through the many who loved or were impacted by him. He will be dearly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the American Diabetes Foundation or a charity of your choosing. A graveside service was held on August 10th, 2022 with Rabbi Steven Lebow of Temple Kol- Emeth, Marietta, Georgia officiating.

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