Burt Forman at his recent birthday celebration at a local diner. 
Courtesy of Tami Brauer
New year,
new home.

Forman has accumulated 15 books that hold about
85 topics each. He tries his best to never repeat
questions. “It gives me something to do, and I enjoy people,
and I enjoy conversing with them and getting them
all excited,” the retired biology teacher said. “I have
one guy who calls me every Monday, and I have
to go through old books and play the game over
the phone.”
Carol J. Robins, like most contestants, attends the
game every week. She said she finds it educational
and good for the memory.

She also said it’s nice to see people and laugh. But
perhaps more than anything, it’s the host who keeps
her coming back.

“He comes up with these very interesting topics,”
Robins added. “It’s like he’s still teaching.”
Forman retired from his teaching position at
Samuel Fels High School in Philadelphia at age 62.

For years, he enjoyed life as a retiree. Forman
and his wife, Kay Forman, took trips and attended
Broadway shows.

But when Kay Forman came down with demen-
tia, the couple had to find an activity close to home
that could help. That was when they started going
to KleinLife.

Months later, KleinLife Program Director Shelley
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A LEISURE CARE PERSONAL CARE & MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY
28 DECEMBER 16, 2021
THE GOOD LIFE
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Geltzer was looking for new activity
suggestions. Forman pitched his trivia
contest. Geltzer loved it.

Pretty soon, about 25 people were
coming each week, including Kay
Forman. Then, he started taking the game
to other senior facilities in the area.

By 2020, Paul’s Run Retirement
Community, The Philadelphia Protestant
Home and two KleinLife locations were
paying Forman to host “Burt’s Brain
Games.” After Kay Forman died in 2018,
it became the thing that made “my day go
fast,” Forman said.

“If I don’t do it, I’ll get old,” he added.

It gives me something to
do, and I enjoy people,
and I enjoy conversing
with them and getting
them all excited. I have
one guy who calls me
every Monday, and I
have to go through old
books and play the
game over the phone.

BURT FORMAN
Yvette Greenberg, Forman’s step-
daughter, used to come to the games
with the host and play his music. Forman
called her his Vanna White, a reference
to the “Wheel of Fortune” co-host who
presses the letters.

Greenberg said the people in the trivia
groups got so close that, when a contes-
tant had to go to the hospital, she would
go visit.

“They were just so much fun. They
were always so excited to see me. They
made me feel good,” she added. “Hugging
me. Always thanking me for being there.”
But when the pandemic hit, those
facilities closed, and Forman had to
cancel his games. During COVID, he
cooked, baked, read and watched TV.

Yet without “Burt’s Brain Games,” he
felt a void. And then, even after facilities
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For additional information and to schedule
your in-person or virtual tour, please go to
www.TheHearthAtDrexel.org/Visit or
call 1-877-205-9428.

Assisted Living • Memory Care • Respite Care
238 Belmont Ave. | Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
THE GOOD LIFE
www.TheHearthAtDrexel.org DECEMBER 16, 2021
29