Obituaries
OB-GYN, Veteran Howard
Isaacson Dies at 99
L SASHA ROGELBERG | STAFF WRITER
ongtime obstetrician and gyne-
cologist Dr. Howard Isaacson of
Wynnewood, who served in the
Air Force after World War II, died May
15 of cancer at Waverly Heights retire-
ment community. He was 99.

During his 60-plus-year career
as an OB-GYN, Isaacson delivered
more than 10,000 children, including
his three grandchildren. He practiced
at Philadelphia General, Haverford,
Pennsylvania, Presbyterian, Lankenau
and Thomas Jefferson University hospi-
tals. He was only the second Jewish doc-
tor to practice at Pennsylvania Hospital,
according to granddaughter Zoë Slutzky.

“He was really just somebody that every-
body could trust,” son Bill Isaacson said.

A member of Adath Israel in Merion
Station, Isaacson was a supporter of a
myriad of Jewish organizations, includ-
ing the Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia, B’nai Brith and the
Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance
Foundation. “He attended synagogue all his life,
and he kept kosher, for example, and
those values were important to him. [He]
raised his family according to them,”
daughter Joan Ockman said.

Family members described Isaacson as
kind to a fault, which was reflected in his
dedication to his job.

Ockman remembers her father taking
calls during dinner or in the middle of
the night. After late-night or early-morn-
ing deliveries, he’d come home at dawn
and promptly leave again for work for his
daily office hours.

In the winter, Isaacson would roll
down the driveway, jack the car up and
tie chains on the tires to drive in the
snow. Born in the Bronx and
the grandson of Jewish
immigrants in 1922,
Isaacson grew up in Dr. Howard Isaacson and granddaughter Zoë Slutzky
Courtesy of Zoë Slutzky
Freehold, New Jersey. His
He also befriended a Palestinian
father eventually owned a clothing and
fabrics store that Isaacson would clock man and his family while living in
hours at, teaching himself customer ser- Montgomery. They were lifelong friends,
vice and learning admiration for his par- keeping in touch and exchanging gifts
for years.

ents. “He respected their work ethic, their
After his service, Isaacson returned
hard work,” Slutzky said. “That infused to Philadelphia, where he completed
the way he approached his career.”
residences at Jefferson and Philadelphia
Isaacson planned to become a gen- General hospitals. He was a practicing
eral surgeon and graduated from Rutgers OB-GYN until his retirement in 2003 and
University in 1943.

continued to advise patients years after.

Despite Jefferson Medical College’s
After the death of his wife in 1993,
quota on Jewish students, Isaacson was Isaacson became partners with Reta
accepted there and graduated in 1946. Eisenberg, who died in 2018. The two
The war, which sent many young men loved to travel.

overseas, increased university demand
With a deep love for the the-
for students, giving Jews, women and ater, Isaacson shared his passion for
other under-enrolled populations the Shakespeare with his family.

opportunity to attend.

Throughout his life, Isaacson took
But Isaacson held his own, Ockman an interest in the hobbies of his loved
said: “The story he told was he was inter- ones. He talked about sports and med-
viewed and was offered admission on the icine with his son, who is also a doctor,
spot. He was very bright and impressed and poetry with his daughter. He kept a
them with his intelligence, aptitude.”
garden with Slutzky until his mid-90s.

He interned at the Philadelphia
“He was really a gentleman,” Bill
General Hospital in 1947, the same year Isaacson said. “A great, great role
he married chemist June Golove.

model.” Isaacson joined the Air Force and
Isaacson is survived by his two
was assigned to the Maxwell Air Force children, Bill Isaacson and Joan
Base in Montgomery, Alabama, where, Ockman; three grandchildren; and one
instead of performing general surgery, he great-grandchild. JE
was asked to deliver babies in the grow-
ing baby boomer era.

srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com BASS
Beverley (nee Feingold)-May 26, 2022,
Moorestown, NJ. formerly of Dresher, PA.

Wife of Bernard Bass z”l. Mother of Beth
Bass Gersten and Bradford (Bryna) Bass.

Grandmother of Brittany (Josh), Jack (Su-
zanne), Maxwell and Andrew. Great-Grand-
mother of Sarah, Jonathan, William, Eliza-
beth, and Johnny. Sister of Irene Hyman z”l,
Seymour Feingold z”l, and Jeffrey Feingold.

PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS
www.plattmemorial.com CRESKOFF
www.jewishexponent.com 34
JUNE 16, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Howard J. Creskoff peacefully passed away
surrounded by loved ones in his daughter’s
home in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania on June 7,
2022 at the age of 81. He was the beloved
son of Edith (née Milgram) and Leonard Cre-



skoff and was born in Philadelphia
on March 26, 1941. Howard was
exceptionally close to his siblings
and is survived by his older brother,
David (Joyce Belchic) and younger
sister Susan Creskoff Hirsch (Lar-
ry). Howard attended Olney High
School, from which he graduated in
1959. He received his B.A. degree
four years later from Penn State
and was a brother of ZBT. While
there, he met his wife-to-be Bet-
ty Jane Sauer (BJ). Post college,
Howard worked in California after
driving cross-country there with his
best friend Robert Wechsler and
then returned to Philadelphia to at-
tend Temple University Law School,
graduating in 1966 with a J.D. de-
gree. Howard served his country in
the United States Army Reserves,
where he met life-long friends.

Howard’s professional legal career
began as an associate attorney in
the firm of Freedman, Borowsky,
and Lorry in Philadelphia. He be-
came a partner and successfully
practiced there under the mentor-
ship of Bill Lorry. He and a few part-
ners later left and formed the firm
of Adler, Barish, Daniels, Levin and
Creskoff. In 1982, Howard founded
his own firm in partnership with Mi-
chael J. Rotko. In 1993 he became
business partners with Gary Baker,
joining Windsor Distribution, Inc. as
co-owner. Howard’s legal acumen
was recognized by the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania, which ap-
pointed him as a judge of its disci-
plinary Board where he served for
nine years. He was an officer and
director of the Philadelphia Trial
Lawyers Association for four years.

Among his many honors, he re-
ceived The Outstanding Volunteer
Award from the Legal Aid Society
of Philadelphia for pro-bono work.

Howard’s charitable work included
serving for many years on various
boards including Willowcrest-Bam-
berger, Albert Einstein Medical Cen-
ter, and the Jewish National Fund.

Growing up, Howard, along with his
parents and siblings, spent blissful
summers in Longport on the Jersey
shore. He helped build their family
home on Sunset Avenue in Long-
port in the early 1960’s. All of How-
ard’s siblings, nieces, nephews as
well as his wife and children spent
many summers together there.

Howard ultimately built his own fam-
ily home in Longport in the mid-70’s,
which his children and grandchil-
dren enjoy to this day. It would take
volumes to write just how wonderful,
revered, and kind Howard was and
how much help and joy he gave
to so many people. He was a car-
ing and loving father to daughters
Lauren Kline (Chris) and Rebecca
Creskoff (Michael Glassner) and a
devoted grandfather to Josh, Jen-
na, and Maggie Kline and Sadie,
Isla, and Goldie Glassner and his
step-grandchildren Max (Liz Giam-
pa), Ilana (Greg Milstein), David,
and Mackenzie Glassner. Howard
is also survived by his nieces and
nephews; Hope, Nancy, Danny,
Stacey, Daria and Brad as well as
his faithful and loyal friend, Lucy,
his 13-year-old springer spaniel.

We mourn the loss of this sweet-na-
tured, smart, genial, devoted father,
grandfather, attorney, brother, and
friend who loved and appreciated
the simplest joys in life: a beach,
a good book, and family. We are
grateful for the compassionate care
Howard received from Dr. Michael
Mastrangelo at Jefferson and Dr.

Lynn Schuchter at Penn. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made in
Howard’s memory to the Tara Miller
Melanoma Center at the Abramson
Cancer Center, 3535 Market St.,
Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

WEST LAUREL HILL FUNERAL
HOME www.westlaurelhill.com
DONIGER Irene G. (nee Shapiro)-June 6,
2022 of King of Prussia, PA. Be-
loved fiancée of the late William
Cooper; mother of Robin Galla-
gher and Shawn Doniger; adoring
grandmother of Bailey, Kenny, and
Kyle Gallagher; treasured sister of
Larry (Karen), Ira (Joanie), Mat-
thew (Lisa), and Douglas (Car-
men). Irene was an avid learner
and devoted her life to health and
spirituality. She began her career
as a registered nurse, earned a
bachelor’s in nursing, and a mas-
ter’s in psychology. She was also
a Certified Laughter Trainer. Irene
was a builder and founder of Tem-
ple Brith Achim in King of Prussia,
an active part of P’Nai Or of Phila-
delphia, and became ordained as a
Magid. In lieu of flowers, contribu-
tions in her memory may be made
to a charity of the donor’s choice
which focuses on feeding the hun-
gry or housing the homeless, or
to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of
America (alzfdn.org).

JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com ESCOVITZ
Dr. Gerald “Gerry” H. May 29, 2022,
of Ardmore. Husband of Francyn
Sacks (nee Elion). Father of Kar-
en Escovitz (Elizabeth Reilly) and
Lisa Kerness (Jay); step father of
Rand Sacks (Melissa) and Matthew
Sacks (Stephanie); brother of Jo-
seph Escovitz (Flavia); grandfather
of Ben, Jack, Eli, Justin and Des-
mond. Contributions in his memory
may be made to Dr. Gerald Esco-
vitz Memorial Fund at Freire Char-
ter School, Freire Foundation, PO
Box 59028, Phila., PA 19102
JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com FELDSCHER
Helen Gordon Feldscher died
peacefully in her sleep, Monday
June 6th after a 5-year battle with
cancer. Born in 1932, to Al Gordon
and Jean Cohen, she grew up in
the Kensington section of Philadel-
phia. Helen attended Olney High
and Temple University. She taught
in the Philadelphia School District,
and then years later, went back
to Temple for a Masters in Psy-
chology. She worked as a school
psychologist for the Philadelphia
School District for most of her ca-
reer, even part-time into her 80s.

Helen valued people and they val-
ued her. She saw the good in ev-
eryone. She met the love of her life
on the beach in Atlantic City. Mar-
ried to Jerome Herbert Feldscher
in 1955, she raised a family in the
Mount Airy section of Philadelphia
and then in Plymouth Meeting. Jer-
ry passed away in 2015 after 60
wonderful years of marriage. Helen
and Jerry spent most summers at
the shore, recapturing the mag-
ic. They both loved the shore and
looked forward to their time there.

Helen was very active with her syn-
agogue, Tiferet Bet Israel, right up
to her last days. For years prior to
Covid you could find her there ev-
ery day. She always made an effort
to stay connected with her friends
and family, and was beloved and
appreciated for it. Thoughtful and
caring, she let people know how
she felt about them, and how im-
portant they were to her. She was
blessed in return by an enormous
community of friends and family
that felt privileged to have her in
their lives. Helen is survived by
her daughter and son-in-law Kar-
en Feldscher and Dan Winograd,
her son and daughter-in-law, Lee
Feldscher and Lisa Mintz, and her
grandchildren, Adam, Ben, Rebec-
ca, Talia and Hayden. Contributions
can be made in her honor to Tiferet
Bet Israel, Hadassah, the American
Cancer Society, University of Penn
Abramson Cancer Center, Memo-
rial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
or a charity of your choice.

JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com GUBER
Selma Guber (nee Greitzer) on
June 7, 2022. Wife of the late Erwin
M.; Mother of Stuart (Judy) Guber,
Esq. and Wayne Guber. Sister of
Cissy Goldstein. Grandmother of
Harrison Guber and Paige (Alan)
Nochenson. Great grandmother of
Raquel, Ayton and Dov.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
IVINS Dr. Richard George, June 8, 2022,
of Boothwyn, PA. Father of David
Ivins, Jenifer Kronbar (George),
Allyson Groff (Steven) and Em-
ily Ivins; Brother of Jesse Elin
Upchurch and Carole Ann Ivins;
Grandfather of Brady, Annabelle,
Dylan, Owen, Madelyn, Lucas and
Rhys; former spouse of Betsey
Wallace Ivins. The family respect-
fully requests contributions in lieu
of flowers, be made to the Wound-
ed Warriors Project (https://www.

woundedwarriorproject.org) or Viet-
nam Veterans of America (https://
vva.org). JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com JAFFE-MYER
Nancy (nee Schwartz)-June 1,
2022 of Elkins Park, PA. Beloved
wife of the late Eli Jaffe and the late
Bill Myer; loving mother of Lee Jaffe
(Molly Jaffe), Henry Jaffe (Kathleen
Winter), and Steven Jaffe (Debbie
Finer); adoring grandmother of JJ
Weinberger (Dylan), and Kaitlin
Vannatten (Ryan). Services for
Nancy were held privately. In lieu of
flowers, contributions in her mem-
ory may be made to Hadassah
Greater Philadelphia (hadassah.

org/philadelphia), the American
Cancer Society (cancer.org), or
Huntington’s Disease Society of
America (hdsa.org).

JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com KAUFMAN
Suzi (Nee Golluber)-On June 2,
2022, of Dresher, PA, loving wife
of the late Bernard Kaufman, loving
mother of David Kaufman (Li Ping
Zhong), Stephen Kaufman (Rosely)
and Dr. Rachel Kaufman (Nathan
Novemsky) sister of Ellen Weiner.

She was also cherished by her 5
grandchildren and 8 great grand-
children. She was a Philadelphia
public school art teacher and librar-
ian. In lieu of flowers, contributions
in her memory may be made to Ha-
dassah or a charity of the donors
choice. JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com RUDNICK
Jeannette (nee Chesin)-June 2,
2022 of Philadelphia, PA. Beloved
wife of the late Jesse Rudnick; lov-
ing mother of Suzanne Payne (Mi-
chael), David Rudnick (Claire), and
Barbara Rudnick (Jerry Zeeman);
adoring grandmother of Alexandra,
Helen, Martha, Max, and Sam. In
lieu of flowers, contributions in her
memory may be directed to the
Support Student Scholars depart-
ment of Temple University (giving.

temple.edu). JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com SELTZER
Geraldine K. “Gerry” (nee Kram-
er) on June 9, 2022. Beloved wife
of the late Louis E.; Loving father
of David Seltzer (Shari), Robert
Seltzer (Susan) and Deborah Selt-
zer Cohen; Dear sister of Eleanor
Shaffer; Devoted Grandmother of
Matthew (Stacy) Seltzer, Jeremy
(Liora) Seltzer, Sara (Jason) Kreis-
man, Rabbi Joel (Eliana) Seltzer,
Rachel (Dr. Scott) Goldstein, Jes-
sie Fast, Jacob (Sarah Waxman)
Cohen, Rachel Cohen, and Dr.

Jonah Cohen; Adoring great-grand-
mother of Gabrielle, Avi, and Jor-
dana Seltzer, Leo and Maya Selt-
zer, Samuel, Isaac, Asher and Nili
Kreisman, Ayelet, Talia and Noa
Seltzer, Zoe and Tessa Goldstein,
and Elan and Aliza Cohen. Mrs.

Seltzer was an Elementary school
teacher at Solis Cohen Elementa-
ry where she oversaw Spotlight on
People, a desegregation program
for the school district of Phila. She
received an award from the city due
to this program. After retiring from
teaching, she became an artist and
painted a series of 24 paintings
using the Holocaust as a theme.

These paintings were showcased
at Gratz College. She was also an
amateur musician, a former long-
time member of Temple Sinai and
Cong. Adath Jeshurun. Contribu-
tions in her memory may be made
to Alzheimer’s Assoc., 225 N. Mich-
igan Ave, Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601,
www.alz.org or Bancroft School
Development Office, 1255 Caldwell
Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 or to a
charity of the donor’s choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
SWIMMER Alan N., June 2, 2022. Husband of
the late Evelyn Swimmer (nee Feld-
man). Father of Todd Swimmer and
Susan (James) Brennan. Brother of
Harry (the late Marilyn) Swimmer.

Grandfather of Amelia and Simone
Brennan. Services and interment
private. Contributions in his mem-
ory may be made to Congregation
Ohev Shalom, 2 Chester Rd., Wall-
ingford, PA 19086, www.ohev.net
or to the Community Arts Center,
414 Plush Mill Rd., Wallingford, PA
19086, www.communityartscenter.

org. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
WEINBAUM Miriam J Weinbaum(née Brown),
died on June 6, 2022, in Rye, NY;
Beloved wife of the late Alexander S
Weinbaum, III; Loving mother of Ann
Sacher (Bill), and Steven(Janet);
Devoted bubby to Emily and Alexan-
dra Sacher and Seth, Elliot, and Adi-
na Weinbaum. Sister of Bea Match-
en and the late Jacob Brown. Miriam
was born on November 19, 1934
in south Philadelphia and proudly
resided in Philadelphia for most of
her life. After graduating from South
Philadelphia High School for Girls
and Temple University, she taught
kindergarten for several years at
the Francis Reed school. She was a
long time member of Congregations
of Shaare Shamayim. Donations
can be made to Congregations of
Shaare Shamayim or the Jewish
Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 35