Obituaries

Gerald Herbert Becker, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G. passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2005. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, and his best friend, June Meyer Becker; his sons Fredric (Rick) and Jeffry (Jeff) Becker and daughters Carol Levey and Ilene Pylman; his sons-in-law Robert (Bob) Levey and Michael (Mike) Pylman and daughter-in-law, Jan Boudreaux Becker.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Natalie, Megan and Brooke Pylman, Alexandra Levey and Joshua Levey and by his sister Blanche Zien, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Allen and Sue Meyer; and beloved nieces and nephews.

Dr. Becker was a part of a Friday Lunch Club with friends Ray Silverman, Earl Katz, Steve Stone, Richard Seplow and Mel Korey, and a Saturday Torah Class with members and friends of Temple Solel. He touched the lives of many through his charity work at several health-related organizations, and at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, where he currently served as a founding Board Member.

Born on July 6, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Frances and Isadore Becker, he received his undergraduate degree and medical degree with honors from Northwestern University. He dedicated more than 45 years to the practice of internal medicine and gastroenterology, in Chicago, in private practice, and serving in several leadership and faculty capacities at Michael Reese Hospital and Weiss Hospital. He moved his family and his medical practice to Phoenix in 1972, serving on staff at both St. Luke's Medical Center and Scottsdale Memorial Hospital, while tending to his private practice in Paradise Valley. Becker helped found the Phoenix Society of Gastroenterology and served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the American College of Gastorenterology (ACG) from 1982-1985.

A great honor was bestowed upon Dr. Becker in November 2004 when the American College of Gastroenterology designated him as a Master of Gastroenterology - an honor only currently awarded to 63 physicians nationwide.

His most passionate hobbies were golf, the Chicago Cubs, national politics, world history and making time for his grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Gerald H. Becker, M.D. Memorial Fund at Temple Solel, 6805 East McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, Arizona, 85253 or the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, 4710 North 16th Street, Suite 201, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016.

Funeral services and burial were at Green Acres Mortuary, 402 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale on Friday, April 15, 2005.

Anne Goor

Anne Goor of Berkeley, Calif., died April 11, 2005. She was 95. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Phoenix from 1941-1990. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Beth El Congregation Sisterhood, Hadassah and B'nai Brith.

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Rothblatt of Berkeley, Calif; son, Rabbi Joel Goor of Manhattan, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services were held at Beth El Cemetery, with Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky officiating. Arrangements were made by Sinai Mortuary Chapel of Lafayette, Calif.

Contributions are suggested to Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix 85018.

Maxwell Kaye

Maxwell Kaye of Phoenix died April 13, 2005. He was 87. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Arizona in 1963. He had several careers, including one as an artist. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; daughters, Sheri Levey and Andrea Hoof, both of Phoenix; and four grandchildren.

Services were held at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, with Rabbi Albert Plotkin officiating. Arrangements were made by Sinai Mortuary.

Contributions are suggested to V.A. Medical Center, 650 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix 85012.

Charles Leibowitz

Charles Leibowitz died April 5, 2005 at age 94. He was a Navy war veteran.

He moved from New York where he owned a furniture moving company and a furniture store. In Arizona he worked in the retail and wholesale furniture business.

He was preceded in death by one month, March 5, 2005, by his beloved wife Pauline Leibowitz. They lived at Chris Ridge Village in Phoenix.

They are survived by their children Barbara and Larry Windt of Sun Lakes and Arleen and Barry Lawrence of Scottsdale, 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services were held at Green Acres Chapel April 8, officiated by Rabbi Mari Chernow of Temple Chai.

Contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association.

Rose Sherre

Rose Sherre, age 88 of Phoenix, passed away April 18, 2005. She was born April 29, 1916 in Omaha, Nebraska. Rose was a retired executive secretary who loved theater and reading. She was a Life Master Bridge player and T.O.P.S. weight recorder.

Rose is survived by her daughter Phyllis (Dennis) Novy of Phoenix; sister Sarah Meyer of Omaha; brother Albert Weiner of Highland Park, IL; grandchildren Amy (Michael) Furman of Gilbert, Andrew Myers of Chicago; and great-grandchildren Melanie and Zachary.

Graveside services were held Thursday, April 21st at Beth Israel

Cemetery. Contributions in her memory are suggested to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or American Heart Association, 2929 S. 48th Street, Tempe, AZ 85282.

Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.

Caryl Sue Weissner

Caryl Sue Weissner of Scottsdale died April 15, 2005. She was 71. She was born in New York City and moved to Arizona in 1978. She was a retired medical assistant and saleswoman.

Survivors include her husband, Herbert; daughter Robin Starace of Phoenix; sons, Michael of Scottsdale and Matthew of New River; and two grandchildren.

Services were held at Mount Sinai Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Sinai Mortuary.

Contributions are suggested to Arthritis Foundation, 777 E. Missouri Ave., Suite 119, Phoenix 85014.

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