OBITUARIES Eva Strauss Izenson passed away on March 22 at home with her husband and three children by her side. Born in Leipzig, Germany in 1937, Eva grew up in Portsmouth, Ohio. She practiced as a dental hygienist after graduating from The Ohio State University. She enjoyed traveling, playing competitive bridge, and, above all, spending time with her family and friends. Eva was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Gisela Strauss. She was survived by her husband of 63 years, Fred; her children and their spouses, Mark Izenson and Susan Sheffield of Atlanta; Rivers and Cathy Jenkins of Charleston; Dan and Peggy Izenson of Cincinnati; and her grandchildren, Riv, Peter, Cason, Sam, Will, Molly, Lark, and Chris. Donations may be made in Eva’s memory to the UD Men’s Basketball Restrictive Fund, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 454697054.
Trotwood. Fred’s hobbies included painting, cartooning, writing and rooting on the Buckeyes and Flyers. Family meant everything to “Pop.” Interment was at David’s Cemetery. Donations may be made online in memory of Fred Izenson in support of research to the Cardiovascular Medicine Department Fund at The Cleveland Clinic, give.ccf.org.
a manufacturing company called he studied other faiths as well. He Dayton-Walther. Jerry purchased a was a founding member of the Dayhome that happened to be two doors ton Christian Jewish Dialogue (now down from the home of the recruiter the Interfaith Forum) and he and who brought him to Dayton. They his wife were past co-presidents. spoke frequently, and the recruiter He also started a small, interfaith convinced him that Jerry would Bible study group that still meets make an exceptional recruiter. He over lunch. Jerry was also passionwas a scientist, a patent-holding ate about music. He was first violin engineer; recruiting would be a in his high school orchestra, and risky change — going from a VP’s he took voice lessons for over 30 Irving Kaplan, age 91, of Jacksalary to straight commission. But years. In addition to all kinds of sonville, Fla., formerly of Dayton, because Jerry was very unhappy Jewish music, he loved to sing old passed away March 31. Irving where he was and did not want to show tunes and especially opera. was the retired owner of Kaplan & uproot his family again, he deIt has been said that Jerry would Associates and Kaplan Warehouse cided to make a total career change sing for anyone at the drop of a hat, Rental. He was an Air Force veteran and took a position as an account and even if they kept their hat on. of the Korean War, a member of the executive for the Dayton franchise He also loved plants and trees, and Jewish War Veterans, Hadassah, and of Management Recruiters Interhad an abundant vegetable garden Beth Abraham Synagogue. He was national in 1980. With over 3,000 every year, as well as berry bushes preceded in death by his beloved recruiters worldwide, Jerry was of many kinds and a cherry tree. He wife, Shirley; and son, Jonathan. named MRI Account Executive of and Lorraine would make cherry Irving is survived by his nieces, the Decade in 1989, thereby reach- pies (he picked, she pitted and nephews, cousins and friends. ing pinnacles of two completely baked), and several zucchini breads Interment was at Beth Abraham different careers within 21 years. every year from Jerry’s produce. He Cemetery. If desired, memorial He eventually became co-owner could sometimes be spotted pruning contributions may be made to Beth of the Dayton MRI franchise, and neighbors’ trees without bothering Fred M. Izenson, age 87 of Ketter- Abraham Synagogue. continued recruiting in Dayton until to ask first, because he couldn’t bear ing, passed away April 4 at Cleve2007. Jerry loved recruiting because to see a tree uncared for. Jerry loved land Heart Clinic with his three Gerald “Jerry” R. Kotler, Ph.D. he felt that he was improving many little children and was the Sabbath children by his side. Sadly, Fred‘s On April 6, Jerry went to be with companies by finding them the best Candy Man in many congregations beloved wife and companion of 63 his beloved wife of 60 years, Loremployees, and improving the lives over the years. If a stranger ever years, Eva Izenson, passed away raine, who preceded him in 2020. of many people by finding them came up to you in public when less than two weeks prior. Together, His daughter was holding his hand better jobs. It made sense that he you had a baby or small child with they cherished spending time when he left. Jerry was born on would be good at this, because he you, smiled, and told you what and holidays with their children, June 19, 1938, in Brooklyn, N.Y., had previously fixed up 10 couples “diamonds,” “gold,” or a “gem” grandchildren, and friends. Fred a fact he was proud to tell anyone who married, and clearly had a gift you had, that was Jerry. He was a is survived by his loving children, who commented on his accent. He for making connections. He simply self-taught expert on many subjects, Mark (Susan) of Atlanta; Cathy received his B.S. in metallurgical loved helping people and makowned over 3,000 books, and was (Rivers) Jenkins engineering in Brooklyn, his M.S. ing people smile. He often said, a sought-after lecturer in congreof Charleston; in metallurgy at Carnegie Tech “A compliment doesn’t cost you a gations of many faiths and other Dan (Peggy) of (now Carnegie-Mellon) in Pittscent, and it can make someone’s forums as well. Though teaching Cincinnati; his burgh, where he day. Why would you keep it to was never his career, it was always grandchildren, met his wife and yourself?” His daughter has been one of his many passions, and he Riv, Peter, Cason, they had their overwhelmed by the number of taught religious school for several Sam, Will, Molly, first child, and his people who have recently told her, years, was briefly an adjunct profesLark and Chris; Ph.D. in materi“I wouldn’t be the person I am tosor in metallurgy at UD, and with his sister Nancy als science at day, if it weren’t for Jerry.” He had his wife, gave seminars in résumé (Ira) Leeds of Stanford, Calif., 15 real nieces and nephews, each of writing at various Dayton Public Davie, Fla., and where his son whom adored him, but he also had Library branches and other sites. her daughters, was born. He many diverse young people who Once he retired from recruiting, he Marci, Susan and Jennifer. Fred was left California called him “Uncle Jerry.” Over the started a small, part-time résumé preceded in death by his parents, to take a position in research and years, Jerry served on multiple syn- writing business with his wife and Rae and Al Izenson, and in-laws, development at Ford in Michigan. agogue boards and as a lay cantor in daughter. He served on the local Herbert and Gisela Strauss. Born After two years there, he left for a several synagogues. In Dayton, he school board in New Jersey when in Pittsburgh, Fred grew up in better opportunity in Hightstown, was a concurrent member of three his children were in school there. Weirton, W.Va. He attended the N.J., at a large corporation called congregations, Beth Jacob, Beth Here, he served on the board of University of Michigan, where N.L. Industries. After four years Abraham, and Temple Israel. He The Dakota Center in West Dayton. he proudly played first clarinet in there, he was promoted to technical was passionate about Judaism, but He insisted on recruiting the first the marching band. He graduated director of the company’s diein the spirit of making connections, African American for their board. from the University of Miami and casting division, in Toledo, Ohio, earned his Juris Doctor degree from Doehler-Jarvis, the largest dieThe Ohio State University. Fred casting company in the world at the practiced law for 41 years in the time. Five years later, the company Dayton community, followed by 15 underwent a reorganization and years as a magistrate for Vandalia his position was eliminated. Given From Generation To Generation. Municipal Court. Among his many six months severance to find a new legal appointments, he served as position, he had multiple offers, and assistant City of Dayton prosecuin 1979, chose to take a position as LICKLER tor and law director for the City of vice president of engineering for
A lifelong learner, he and his wife were taking classes together right up until Covid began, despite Jerry’s already advancing dementia. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Esther and Louis Kotler, his brother-in-law and dear friend, Steve Marcus, and his beloved nephew, Joshua E. Kotler. He is survived by his aunt, Evelyn Barnett, older brother, Martin (Fran), younger brother, Herman (Mina), younger sister, Renee Krieger (Abraham), sister-in-law, Sandra Marcus, sister-in-law, Mona Abramowitz (David), daughter, Beth “Batsheva” Fullenhull (Andrew Shlomoh), son, Michael (Hillary), nieces and nephews, Marcy, Kelly, Kevin (Stacey), Avery (Corinne), Matt, Jonathan (Julia), Anna (Dan), Daniella (Joseph), Tanya (Zach), Larry, Brian, Rebecca (Benjamin), Benjamin, and Danny (Mickey). As well as cousins, great-nieces and nephews, countless dear friends, and the light of his golden years, his only grandchild, Lily Fullenhull. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Jerry would have wanted to offer his deepest appreciation to the wonderful staff of Spring Hills Singing Woods Assisted Living Facility and the blessing that is Compassus Hospice. Donations may be sent to americanbrainfoundation.org, curealz.org, hias.org, or the charity of your choice. Nancy Wiviott, age 88, of Kettering, passed away April 10. Nancy was born in St. Louis. Nancy is survived by her sons Jeffrey Wiviott, Gary Wiviott and daughter Sheryl (Mike) Erlichman; grandchildren Dr. Robert Erlichman (Blair), Brian Erlichman, and Adam Erlichman; great-granddaughter Luci Erlichman; life companion Ernie Keucher. Nancy retired as a civilian employee of Wright-Patterson AFB. Nancy was a member of Temple Israel. Nancy enjoyed spending time with her family. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
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