Brandeis Magazine

John “Jack” Hansan, PhD’80, of McLean, Virginia, on Aug. 19. A social welfare pioneer who championed the poor, minorities, children and the elderly, he helped organize Cincinnati’s 500-person delegation to the March on Washington in 1963 and developed an educational program for inner-city preschoolers that became a model for the national Head Start program. Survived by wife Ethel, four sons, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Nick Boba ’81, of Centerport, New York, on May 6. As executive director at the Center for Developmental Disabilities, in Woodbury, he helped children and adults with differing abilities achieve greater independence in living, working, learning and enjoying recreation in their communities. Survived by wife Maggie and two sons.

Paul V. Leary, Heller MMH’81, of Green Valley, Arizona, on July 19. Known for his enjoyment of playing and watching sports, he also liked playing the piano and singing, and conversing with the people he met while traveling the world. Survived by wife Cathy, a son and two grandchildren.

Joshua D. Schein ’81, P’20, of Woodmere, New York, on June 19. A pharmaceutical executive, he founded and directed a series of biotechnology companies, and pioneered a treatment for hereditary angioedema, a rare, life-threatening inflammatory disease. Survived by wife Eileen and 10 children, including Yehuda ’20.

Manuel Mayor ’83, P’20, of Miami, on Sept. 22. A medical doctor who was chief of cardiology at Mercy Hospital, he specialized in the treatment of coronary disease, and taught at the medical schools at Florida International University and the University of Miami. Survived by wife Celia and four children, including Viking ’20.

Barbra Barth Feldman ’86, of Hewlett Neck, New York, on Aug. 8. She epitomized devotion and service to Lawrence Woodmere Academy, graduating from the private school in 1982 and directing its summer camp for nearly nine years before being named head of school in January 2019. Survived by two children.

Gary V. Pave ’88, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, in July 2018. Battling cancer, he arranged to be discharged from the hospital an hour before the start of the Council Rock High School North graduation ceremony in June 2018, so he and his wife could proudly watch eldest son Ryan receive his diploma. Survived by wife Irene and three children.

Khang N. Thai ’88, of El Paso, Texas, on July 9. Having survived a nine-month journey from his native Vietnam with the boat people in 1979, he earned a medical degree and served nine years as a captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve while working as a reconstructive plastic surgeon at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, fulfilling his desire to help others while serving the country that embraced him. Survived by wife Rena and two children.

Adam Driks, PhD’89, of Chicago, on June 6. Professor of microbiology and immunology at Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine, he was a dedicated teacher and mentor to graduate and medical students, and was honored by the graduate school as Scientist of the Year in 2013 and Faculty Member of the Year in 2017. Survived by wife Jean T. Greenberg.