Robert M. Brackman, age 84 of Dayton, passed away May 17 at Good Samaritan Hospital after a lengthy bout with pneumonia and COPD. Born in Xenia to the late Celia and Bernard Brackman, Mr. Brackman is survived by Gloria, his devoted wife of 59 years, daughter Judith Martin of Dayton, and son Dr. David Brackman of Columbus. Mr. Brackman was a buyer for Rike’s and Elder-Beerman, and a 30-year sales rep for Schwabb Inc. where he was fondly known as The Stamp Man. Mr. Brackman was a volunteer for more than 18 years at the Victoria Theatre and Schuster Center, an army veteran and a lifelong member of Temple Israel. Our grateful thanks to the ICU at Good Samaritan for their excellent care of Bob. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.

Margaret H. Feldman age 93, of Dayton, passed away May 13 at The Hospice of Dayton. Mrs. Feldman was a member of Beth Abraham Synagogue. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack E., in 1980; father, Max Hirsch; mother, Toba Strull Hirsch; stepmother, Esther Moscowitz Hirsch; sister, Lillian Schmidt. Mrs. Feldman is survived by her daughter, Toba Jeanne Feldman of Columbus; son, Barnett Robert Feldman of Dayton; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue or The Hospice of Dayton in her memory.

Lila Gensler passed away on April 17, at Hospice of Dayton. Mrs. Gensler was born in the Bronx, N.Y., 85 years ago, before settling in Dayton in 1956. She was predeceased by her husband, Moe, her sister Berri, and her parents David and Belle Braunstein. She is survived by her caregivers: daughter Fran and husband John Hoover, who mom called “son,” daughter Cheryl Cooney, son Gary Gensler, grandchildren Michael and Benjamin Stempler and Laurel Cooney, Nick and Andrea Hoover, and great-grandchildren Essie and Audrina, best friend Rita Bennett, and her faithful dog Bandit. Mrs. Gensler worked for Elder Beerman for 42 years, and everywhere she went someone knew her. Mom was a longtime member of Temple Israel. Thank you to Suanne Montgomery for your loving care, Home Instead, and the staff at Hospice of Dayton. Mrs. Gensler generously donated her body to the Wright State Anatomical Gift program. Memorial services were held at Temple Israel. Please donate to the charity of your choice in Mrs. Gensler’s memory. May she rest peacefully.

Bernard Emanuel Tracht, 93, born Aug. 20, 1920 in Pittsburgh, passed away at Mountainview Hospital, Las Vegas on April 18. A longtime resident of Dayton, Mr. Tracht is survived by two sons and a daughter, Michael Jason Tracht of Columbia, Md., Cantor Avery Tracht of Willemstad, Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean, and Jo Ann Tracht-Rawson of Oakland, Calif. He is also survived by three granddaughters, one grandson and one great-grandson, Heather Staten, Joeie Tracht, Ariel and Evan Rawson and Nathaniel Staten. Mr. Tracht was co-founder of the former CPA firm Tracht, Solomon and Company. His late wife, Edith Silberman Tracht, died in Dayton in 1993 and is buried at Beth Abraham Cemetery. There were two memorials held in his honor, in Las Vegas and Curaçao. He and his wife were longtime members of Beth Abraham Synagogue of Dayton and Meadowbrook Country Club. Should you wish to offer condolences to his children, who all grew up in Dayton, they may be reached through the following e-mail addresses: Michael: ntracht@verizon.net, Avery: averytracht@gmail.com, Jo Ann: joann-r@comcast.net.

Patricia Jo Wasserman, age 76, passed away May 12. After graduating fron Xenia High School, she went to work from 1955 to 1964 as a secretary at the Systems Engineering Group of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where she met her beloved husband, Reuben, of 56 years. Mrs. Wasserman worked in the Aircraft Laboratory Special Projects Division. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cloda and Harold Ramsey. She is survived by her loving husband, Reuben; daughters Deborah Wasserman, Miriam Wasserman and her partner Victoria Reece; sister Joyce (Tom) Gustin, brother Bill (Nan) Ramsey, and many other relatives and wonderful friends. Throughout her life Mrs. Wasserman was a member of several organizations including the MG Car Club and Red Hats. She was a Brownie Troop leader; chairperson of Shoshana Chapter of B’nai B’rith Women and conducted Dolls for Democracy, giving presentations at local schools to combat bigotry and intolerance. She was a board member of Girl Scouts Buckeye Trails Council where she formed the Minority Presence Group to advocate for handicapped girls in Girl Scouts. She was co-chairperson of the Beavercreek Bicentennial Parade in 1976. She was also a member of Temple Israel. Through Mrs. Wasserman’s volunteer work and charitable contributions to various organizations, she touched the lives of many. She was an avid collector of teddy bears, which gave her much joy. Mrs. Wasserman was passionate about reading, enjoyed music and was a funny, caring, thoughtful person who was an animal lover and a dear friend to all. Mrs. Wasserman enjoyed traveling with friends to Hawaii, Alaska and Europe. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton or SICSA. Mom, may you rest in peace.

Charles William Weprin, age 90 of Jupiter, Fla. and Dayton, passed away May 10. He attended Georgia Military Academy and The Ohio State University before serving in the U.S. Army. He fought in Africa and Italy, landing on the beaches at both Sicily and Anzio. Mr. Weprin returned home and received his accounting degree from the University of Dayton. He and his brothers founded and ran Main Auto Parts Inc. for more than 40 years. He was a member of Temple Israel for more than 80 years and served on its board, and was a past president of Meadowbrook Country Club. Mr. Weprin was a loving husband of 58 years to Corrine “Pookie” Weprin, who preceded him in death, along with his seven brothers. He is survived by his sons; Bart (Linda), Stuart (Gail), Larry (Meryl), Michael (Karen), 20 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren who all cherished him and will miss him greatly, as well as many nieces, nephews and devoted friends. The family thanks the caregivers and especially Hospice of Dayton for their loving care. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pookie and Chuck Weprin Legacy Foundation at Temple Israel or Hospice of Dayton.

To read the complete June 2014 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.