Brandeis Magazine

Eric Freedman ’80, of Flint, Mich., a professor of cognitive psychology, died on Dec. 10, 2014. He was a member of the faculty at Michigan Technological University (1988-93) and the University of Michigan-Flint (1993-2014). His research was widely published in scientific journals and psychology books. He mentored numerous undergraduate psychology students who worked with him on his research on perception and executive function. He enjoyed traveling, trying new culinary experiences and wandering through art museums. He was an active member of Temple Beth El in Flint. He leaves his wife, Donna; children Hannah and Samuel; stepdaughters Kathryn and Kristina; his father, Edwin; and his sister, Jacki. Cesar Rodriguez, MA’82, PhD’86, of New Jersey, a chemist and science teacher, died on Aug. 9, 2014. He conducted research on morphine synthesis at Brandeis; anti-cancer novel chemicals at Princeton University; and new inorganic consumer and farm compounds for FMC, American Cyanamid, Shulton, AT&T, and Rohm and Haas. He left full-time scientific research to teach in New Jersey public schools and colleges, where he encouraged inner-city students to pursue careers in math and science. He also served as a student recruiter at MIT, his undergraduate alma mater. He leaves his children, Cesar, Alejandro and Sara; his mother, Andrea; and a brother, Jorge. Jeffrey Weiss ’82, of Muttontown, N.Y., a urologist and founding member of Integrated Medical Professionals, died on Oct. 20, 2014. He leaves his children, Samantha and Jared; his father, Jesse; and his brothers, Alan and Marc. Bruce McKenna, MA’83, of Seattle, an English professor at Seattle Central College, died of multiple myeloma on Oct. 8, 2014. Despite his cancer diagnosis four years ago, he continued teaching. Earlier in his career, he also taught at Brandeis and MIT. He leaves his wife, Janice; two sisters, Maureen and Dee; his brother, Brian; and his mother, Dorothy. Roy Glikin ’84, of Santa Cruz, Calif., died on Sept. 15, 2014. He enjoyed volunteering at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History and at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He leaves his mother, Maria.