Obituaries

NORFOLK—Suzanne Legum Barr 91, of Norfolk, passed away July 23, 2022.

She was born September 7, 1930, to the late A.J. and Bessie Legum in Berkley, Virginia. She was a graduate of Maury High School and attended Randolph Macon Woman’s College before returning to Norfolk to marry David Barr.

While raising her family, Suzanne was a dedicated volunteer within her community. She was a past president of B’nai Brith Women of Norfolk, and a board member of the Mental Health Center of Norfolk and Chesapeake, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Cerebral Palsy of Tidewater, Women’s American ORT, St. Mary’s Infant Home, and the Women’s Cabinet of the United Jewish Appeal.

She served as president of her college alumnae regional chapter, and in 1967 was a part of a Young Leadership delegation that studied post-war conditions in Israel. In 1973, Suzanne attended a real estate course to keep her best friend Mavolyn Lefcoe company. The result was a 40-year career that networked her lifetime love of Norfolk with generational connections and a genuine interest in people.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Barr Grossman (Tom); her son, Bruce Barr (Lauren); and her three grandchildren, Justin, Shayne (Lili), and Gabrielle; her brothers Edward Legum (Ruthie), Dr. Stephen Legum (Carol Sue); her sisterin-law, Shirley Legum; and her niece, Cindy Homer (Paul). She was predeceased by her brothers, Alfred Legum, Howard Legum, Herbert Legum, and her sister, Edith Legum Laderberg. She leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who enriched her life.

Funeral services were conducted at Ohef Sholom Temple, followed by interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The Meal of Consolation was served at Ohef Sholom Temple. Donations may be made to Ohef Sholom Temple or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hdoliver.com.

NORFOLK—Robert Dean Eisen, 72, died on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at his residence in downtown Norfolk.

Born in Philadelphia, he lived in Norfolk since 1955. Robert attended Norview High School and graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. and The American University Washington College of Law. He maintained a solo law practice in Norfolk for 30 years and was recognized for the license plate on his car “NTGUILTY.”

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Jeanette and Mortimer “Buddy” Eisen.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Faye and Adam Hakki of New York; his son, Michael of San Diego; his sisters, Susan Salman and her husband Michael, of Houston and Harriet of New York; as well as by Paula Eisen, his former wife.

A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family requests donations to Congregation Beth El of Norfolk or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.

NEWPORT NEWS—Estelle Ruth (Edison) Fineman, age 104, of Newport News, Virginia, died peacefully on July 25, 2022.

She was born on June 17, 1918 in Portland, Maine, and was happily married to the late Charles Fineman for 40 years. She is survived by her three daughters and spouses: Penny Fineman Warner (Tim), Sheryl Fineman, Charlene Fineman Koplin (Kal). Her grandchildren and spouses: Alex Koplin (Tina), and Amy Koplin Miller (Tom). Her great grandchildren: Charlee and Chaz Koplin, and the late Ellie Miller (who was named after Estelle).

Estelle was a fierce and amazing woman. To be 104 and still so with it was simply incredible. She always told it like it is. If you tried to talk to her during a Braves game, an Indiana basketball game, or CNN—forget it—she would hang up on you. She was an avid reader, and loved a good game of rummikub. She loved being part of the Jewish community and her family and friends were her entire life. To say that she lived for her family would be an understatement. She had the best smile and made so many friends that became like family to her.

A graveside service was held at Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula. Please make all donations to CRPS/RSD: https:// rsds.org/donate/.

WINTER PARK, FLA.—Mr. Howard A. Forman, 65, of Winter Park, died Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Health Central following a brief illness.

Mr. Forman was born October 12, 1956 in Washington, District of Columbia, to the late Jacob and Rosalyn (Levine) Forman. He moved to the Orlando area in 1980 from Silver Spring, Maryland.

Mr. Forman is survived by his loving sister, Rita Frank of Virginia Beach, Va.; nieces, Jessica (Eric) Patterson; Rose (Matt) Hopstetter; Ilene (Larry) Topper; nephew, Abraham (Anita) Frank and several great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Mr. Forman was held with Rabbi Arnold Siegel officiating.

NORFOLK—Our beloved June Rae Goldman nee Shank (Junie), 86, of 215 Brooke Ave. in Norfolk, Va. died peacefully July 20, 2022.

June was born in Richmond, Virginia to the late Samuel and Hilda Shank, where she attended Thomas Jefferson High School.

In 1969, she married the love of her life, Joseph Goldman, and the couple blended their families and settled in Virginia Beach. Later on they resided in Norfolk.

She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, known for her devotion, sweet nature, and kindness to all.

June was known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their “Meme.” She was resilient, elegant, beautiful, and

adored by her family and many friends.

She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph Goldman, brother Michael Shank, and daughter Marissa Seldes.

She is survived by her sister, Esther Lee Carneal (Robert Carneal) sons: Mark Seldes (Lisanne Elkins), Lee Goldman, Jay Goldman (Sandy Goldman), grandchildren: Emily Hahn, Olivia Hahn, Liza Goldman McIlravy, Avianna Goldman, Sam Goldman, Zoe Weiss, Matthew Goldman, Dylan Goldman, Nicole Eule, William Overstreet, and great grandchildren: Levi Eule, Harper Eule, Lilly Overstreet and Hunter Overstreet.

A chapel service was conducted at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel. Interment followed at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk.

The family requests contributions be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, https://givenow.lls.org/.

Visit www.hdoliver.com to offer condolences to the family.

NORFOLK—Maybe it was the lab he built in his parents’ Cleveland garage when he was nine years old or the “things” his mom found growing in dishes when she opened the refrigerator. Whatever it was, Joe Guth knew early on that he was going to be a scientist.

And that’s what he became.

Joe, who was 80 years young when he passed away July 29, grew up in Southern California, where he was a track star at Polytechnic High in North Hollywood. His natural curiosity and unquenchable thirst for learning took him to the University of California, Berkeley—it was the high-voltage late-60s, but while others were protesting in the streets, Joe was hard at work in the classroom. He received his undergraduate degree at Berkeley and stayed in the UC system to earn his master’s and doctorate in chemistry and biochemistry.

Joe also loved to teach, which brought him to Norfolk, Virginia, and Old Dominion University as an assistant professor in chemistry. But he always had his eyes on new horizons, and left ODU to build another laboratory—Interscience Research Inc.—with his loving wife and best friend of 45 years, Ann.

Together, they built a reputation, too. Their lab was up for every challenge, whether it was analyzing water and compressed air, testing for asbestos for the Norfolk public school system, assisting with arson investigations or analyzing forensic evidence in murder investigations.

When they closed Interscience Research, Joe, as was his wont, rose to other occasions. He was an expert witness for attorneys nationwide, a sought-after interviewee for print and broadcast media, and even a consultant for network television shows.

“Joe was learning until the day he died,” Ann remembers. “But you had to be careful when you asked him a question and tell him that you wanted the brief answer, not the full course.”

Joseph Henry Guth was born May 10, 1942, in Cleveland. His father, William, was a tavern keeper and his mother, Sara, a homemaker. In addition to Ann, he is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, James and Isabell, his daughter Sabra, his stepdaughters Leslie and Pamela, his stepson Randy, grandchildren Virginie, Charlotte and her husband Knox, Tobias and his wife Launa, Hannah and her husband Jesus, great-grandchildren Sam and Lilly, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom he loved dearly. Sheila, his first wife, predeceased him.

But as anyone who knew Joe will attest, his fierce intelligence was just one side of him. He was as fun-loving as they come, with a contagious laugh and a taste for bad puns, really bad puns. In fact, he was the undisputed master—and his own best audience.

“He made me laugh every single day,” Ann says. “But when it got too bad, we’d say, ‘Joe, go to your room.’”

The family asks that donations be made to the Hope House Foundation at www.hope-house.org. Altmeyer Funeral Home.

VIRGINIA BEACH—Robert “Bob” Kirschner, 91, departed this life on Saturday, July 16, 2022 surrounded by his children, Michele Kirschner Gelernter and Barry Isidore Kirschner.

Bob is now holding hands with the love of his life, Marilyn Dauer Kirschner, who passed away on February 5, 2021 after 58 years together.

Bob was born on June 15, 1931 to Malvina and Bernard Kirschner in Trenton, New Jersey during the Great Depression. Bob had three siblings, Madeline, Jerome, and Ruth.

Upon graduating from high school, Bob took a special interest in the culinary arts, and in 1951 enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he completed the Navy’s culinary program. He then proceeded to serve his country all over the world as the Chief Commissaryman for several aircraft carriers and destroyers, overseeing all

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aspects of the ships’ dining programs. He performed his duties with great passion and pride, including menu and provision planning, food preparation, and cooking for thousands of hungry service men and women. Throughout Bob’s career, his cooking skills were so widely revered that many captains demanded that they ate “chow on Kirschner’s watch.”

After two decades serving his country, Bob was honorably discharged in 1971 in order to spend more time with his wife and his young children in Virginia Beach. Bob’s love and respect for the U.S. Navy never wavered over the remainder of his life, and he relished talking about his time in service with veterans and civilians, alike. After retiring, Bob had a successful career in sales and volunteered his culinary skills by cooking for Men’s Club breakfasts for Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk, and by feeding the homeless in shelters throughout the Norfolk area. Later in is life, his passion included spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, Kenzie (27) and Marc Gelernter (24), and Jack (22) and Rex Kirschner (18).

Bob’s pride and delight in his family shone bright whenever he was around them. His infectious smile and sunny disposition, in turn, made him a joy to be around to anyone fortunate enough to cross his path. He has been a guiding light for his children and a role model to his grandchildren. His loving nature and vivacious spirit made Bob a true blessing to his family and friends and we are all better for having known him.

A graveside service was conducted at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Contributions can be made in Bob’s memory to The American Heart Association. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.

VIRGINIA BEACH—Steven F. Shames, age 74, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, July 23, 2022.

Steven was born in Norfolk, Virginia on July 10, 1948, to the late Edward and Ida Shames. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Linda for 52 years. He was father to his beloved children, Sarah Shames Ehret and husband Matthew, and Aaron Shames and wife Rachel; grandfather, “Pops,” to Marissa and Ryan Ehret, and Bayla, Simi, and Eden Shames; brother to Douglas Shames and wife Ilene; uncle to Adam Goodman, Allison Zofan, Sam Shames, and Rebecca Schulz, and close and loyal friend to many. His dearest friends, G.L. “Skip” White, Robert Byrum, and Darlene Biggs were considered second family.

He was a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College and the William & Mary Law School. He served honorably in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant. Steven was a partner in the law firm of Shames & Byrum, PC, member of the Virginia State Bar, member and past president of the Chesapeake Bar Association, past president of the Norfolk SPCA, four-term chairman of the 1st District Disciplinary Committee of the Virginia State Bar, Divorce Commissioner Circuit Court City of Chesapeake, and adjunct professor of Legal Studies at Tidewater Community College.

A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Cantor David Proser officiating.

Memorial contributions in his honor (memory) may be sent to the Virginia SPCA and Kehillat Bet Hamidrash (KBH) Synagogue of Virginia Beach. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hdoliver.com.

Jackie Hajdenberg (JTA)—Olivia Newton-John, the iconic pop singer of the 1970s and ’80s, died at her home in Southern California Monday, August 7 of the breast cancer she had battled for three decades. She was 73.

Newton-John was most famous for her starring role as Sandy Olsson, alongside John Travolta’s Danny Zuko, in the 1978 musical Grease, and as the singer of the 1982 hit song Physical.

Newton-John was born in Cambridge, England, to Brinley Newton-John and Irene Born, the daughter of Max Born, a Jewish Nobel laureate and one of the founders of quantum mechanics. Born, who was a friend of Albert Einstein, moved to England after being suspended from his position at a German university by the Nazi regime, likely saving his life. There, his wife worked to help Jewish refugee women find employment.

“My mother was very proud of her Jewish heritage and talked about it a lot,” Newton-John told an Israeli news network three years ago. “It’s interesting: Some of my closest girlfriends are Jewish.”

Newton-John had built a prolific and historic career as a pop singer over the decades, performing at Eurovision the year that ABBA won for Waterloo, earning an Oscar nomination for her performance in one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, headlining her own Las Vegas show, and releasing chart-topping pop hits.

In 1992, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and became an advocate for cancer research. Newton-John went into remission for 21 years, but the cancer returned in 2013 and again in 2017. In a 2017 interview with NBC’s Today Show, she revealed that John Travolta had remained a longtime friend and had been supporting her throughout her ordeal with cancer.

Over the last two years, the song Hopelessly Devoted To You, which was sung by Newton-John in Grease and hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released, regained popularity on TikTok with original covers and talk-box remixes.

Newton-John is survived by her husband John Easterling and her daughter from her first marriage, Chloe Lattanzi.

(JTA)–Melissa Bank, whose stories of flawed, funny Jewish heroines searching for love and fulfillment won over readers’ hearts around the world, died Tuesday, August 2 at age 61 of lung cancer.

Bank’s publisher, Penguin, confirmed her death in a statement. “She captivated generations of readers with her warmly piercing takes on relationships, family and adulthood,” the publisher said.

Bank, whom the Los Angeles Times famously dubbed “like John Cheever, only funnier,” published just two books during her career: The Girls’ Guide To Hunting And Fishing, in 1999, and The Wonder Spot, in 2005. But both were bestsellers, and Girls’ Guide was a publishing phenomenon, spending months on the New York Times bestseller list. And both centered around single Jewish women finding their way in the world: Jane Rosenal, in Girls’ Guide, and Sophie Applebaum, in Wonder Spot.

In the snapshots of their lives, Bank let readers glimpse through interlinked short stories, Jane and Sophie won over ardent fans by refusing to bend to the rules: both those governing the dating scene and the traditions that indebted them to their mothers and grandmothers. Their comic misadventures often intersected with Jewish life. In Wonder Spot, Sophie plays hooky from Hebrew class, considers taking a job with a Jewish newspaper, and contends with a cousin’s bat mitzvah and a sister-in-law’s passive-aggressive attempts to impose kosher rules on her home.

Like her characters, Bank grew up in a middle-class Philadelphia Jewish family and lost her neurosurgeon father at a young age. She worked in copywriting as she pursued her career as an author, taking several years to write and revise each book.

After the publication of her second book, Bank became a faculty-writing instructor at Stony Brook University Southampton. She also wrote a screenplay for a planned film adaptation of Girls’ Guide that was to have been produced by Frances Ford Coppola, but it has yet to materialize. Suburban Girl, a film based on another story from the book, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alec Baldwin, was released in 2007.

Though Bank’s output was small, her effect on the lives of her readers was profound. “The Girls’ Guide To Hunting And Fishing Shaped My Twenties,” a Buzzfeed headline once proclaimed, and Bank’s readers had that kind of intimate connection with her authentic, witty depictions of young adulthood.