Brandeis Magazine

Sophie Freud, GSAS PhD’70, P’77, of Lincoln, Massachusetts, on June 3. After fleeing the Nazis and escaping to the U.S., she became a psychiatric social worker and a psychology professor at Simmons College, challenged her grandfather Sigmund Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis, and pursued her life’s missions of protecting children and introducing feminism into the field of social work. Survived by three children, including George Loewenstein ’77; five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

Michael E. Schonbach ’70, of Northampton, Massachusetts, on June 2. He was a longtime record collector whose business, Still Records After All These Years, had a worldwide following of appreciative customers, and a musician whose accompaniments on piano and violin can be heard on albums by his singer/songwriter wife, Judy. Survived by his wife.

Meg Perlman ’71, of New York City, on June 1. Despite her disability as a stroke survivor, she had a successful career as an art curator and was founding director of the Pollock-Krasner House, now a National Historic Landmark. Survived by husband Doug and a son.

Roberta (Weisman) Richard, GSAS MA’71, P’74, President’s Councilor, Brandeis National Committee, of North Andover, Massachusetts, on May 15. With a fine arts degree from Radcliffe College, she worked in advertising in both New York and Boston; raised a family with husband Howie, P’74; and, in midlife, earned a graduate degree in Mediterranean studies at Brandeis. Survived by two children, including Jill ’74, and four grandchildren.

Rod Barber, Heller MSW’72, GSAS PhD’73, of Louisville, Kentucky, on Dec. 18, 2021. A professor at the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work for 34 years, he became an active member of the university’s Association of Retired Personnel. Survived by wife Barbara, three children, and six grandchildren.

Elena Ganczuk Krybus ’74, of Dallas, on June 14. Cherished for her fierce intelligence, generosity, and devotion to family, she was born in the Soviet Union; fled with her family to Poland, then to Boston; made aliyah to Israel, where she started her own family; then returned to the U.S. Survived by husband Henry, two children, and two grandchildren.

Roger Weissberg ’74, of Wilmette, Illinois, on Sept. 5, 2021. Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago and co-founder of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, where he was chief knowledge officer and board vice chair, Roger has been honored by CASEL through the launch of a scholars program in his name. Survived by a daughter.

Jeremy Zwelling, GSAS MA’74, PhD’75, of Middletown, Connecticut, on May 8. An associate professor of religion at Wesleyan University, he co-created the school’s Jewish studies program and for 25 years directed a semester-abroad program in Jerusalem; a faculty chair was established at the university in his honor. Survived by wife Virginia, two children, and four grandchildren.

Isaac Neustadt-Noy, GSAS PhD’76, of Jerusalem, on May 19. A veteran Israeli broad­caster, historian, and author widely known as Yitzhak Noy, he was beloved by fans and colleagues around the globe for his resonant voice and astute, in-depth discussions on Jewish and Israeli history. Survived by wife Nurit and a son.

Roberta S. Tomber ’77, of Okemos, Michigan, on May 1. An archaeologist and author who worked at the Museum of London Archaeology and the British Museum, she was an expert on ancient pottery of the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean, and was recognized for her perceptive, persuasive interpretations. Survived by friends and loved ones.

Carmen Torres ’77, Heller MMHS’83, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, on April 25. A pioneer in the Boston school system, she founded the Health Careers Pathway at Brighton High School and the pre-pharmacy program at Fenway High School; was the founding assistant headmaster of Boston Arts Academy; and, in retirement, taught at Boston University. Survived by two children.

Andrew Hahn, Heller PhD’78, Faculty, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, on July 25. An expert in program evaluation and youth development, and a teacher, adviser, and administrator at the Heller School, he co-founded Heller’s Center for Youth and Communities and served as inaugural director of the Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy. Survived by wife Elizabeth, two daughters, and four grandchildren.

Neil R. Tucker ’78, of Scarsdale, New York, on May 10. The first in his family to go to college, he built a 40-year career in real estate law as a partner at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, donated his time to Jewish causes, and was a welcoming host to family and friends at his Berkshires lake house. Survived by wife Mindy and two children.

B. Scott Levine ’79, of San Francisco, on July 20. A real estate attorney for more than 40 years, he talked about Brandeis and his time there with affection. Survived by his partner, Kevin.

Yuli Wexler ’79, of Bethesda, Maryland, on June 3. A proud Jew and an incorrigible optimist who came to America from the USSR in 1974, he was an economist and a vice president for European sales at Intelsat who loved physics; rocketry; world literature; classical music; and, most of all, his family. Survived by wife Martha, two daughters, and two grandsons.