Obituaries are updated regularly
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A Success Story

II

World War II. After the war, he started
erman Brodsky was paid trib-
Keystone Manufacturing, a maker of
ute through words of love,
electrical
supply items.
admiration and respect by
Mr. Brodsky wasn't afraid of trying
those who mattered most to him — his
new ideas. At age 25, with 100 union-
family.
ized employees, he
Eldest son Jeffiey
increased efficiency by
Brodsky noted that while
establishing
a performance-
many knew his father as a
based compensation plan.
successful businessman, to
At age 36, he began a sec-
us he was the ultimate fam-
ond successful career in real
ily man. No matter how
estate. He developed, built,
much he worked, he was
owned and managed com-
always there for us."
mercial, industrial and
Mr. Brodsky, 81, died on
office properties throughout
June 23, 2004, in his
metropolitan Detroit.
Huntington Woods home.
In the eulogy, Rabbi
Born July 15, 1922, the
Joseph
Krakoff of Congre-
youngest of nine children,
Herman Brodsky
gation Shaarey Zedek noted
he started from modest
that Mr. Brodsky's "reputa-
beginnings. His work ethic
tion was stellar. He was
and tenacity, however, enabled him to
known far and wide for being trusted,
become a success at whatever business
fair and honest to the core."
he attempted.
While vacationing in South Haven,
"My zayde was a true paragon of the
Mr. Brodsky met Dina Konikof of
American dream, starting off as a tool-
Chicago. It was love at first sight. They
and-die maker and eventually working
married and raised four children. Dina
his way up to owning his own factory,"
remained at his side throughout their 54
said grandson Kevin Rosenberg.
years
together, which included with his
At 20, Mr. Brodsky established a com-
final four-year illness. At the funeral,
pany that manufactured parts for Pratt
each of Mr. Brodsky's six grandsons paid
and Whitney airplane engines during

tribute to his memory.
"He was the person who everyone
depended on for advice because of his
intelligence and judgment," said Barry
Rosenberg, eldest grandson.
Grandson Stuart Brody said, "my
zayde taught me the paramount impor-
tance of generosity, to both loved ones as
well as to humanity as a whole."
In 1988, close friend Rabbi Solomon
Gruskin convinced Mr. Brodsky to
allow Congregation B'nai Zion, the for-
mer Humphrey-Homer shul, to honor
him. In 2002, Mr. Brodsky and his wife
were presented with the Rabbi Jacob
Segal Award by Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit for their lifetime
of devotion to the school.
A supporter of not only Jewish educa-
tion, Mr. Brodsky donated land to
Lawrence Technological University in
Southfield. As a resident of Huntington
Woods for almost 47 years, he also was a
donor to its community center and the
new Burton Elementary playground.
His philanthropy reached beyond
Detroit-area institutions such as
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Yeshiva
Beth Yehudah and the University of
Michigan Hillel Foundation to the
Jewish Theological Seminary, Bar-llan
University, American Red Magen David
and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Mr. Brodsky kept a large file box,
filled with hundreds of index cards

detailing annual donations to lesser-
known yeshivot, orphanages, hospitals
and other organizations in the United
States and Israel.
Herman Brodsky is survived by his
beloved wife, Dina; daughters and son-
in-law, Ann and David Rosenberg,
Helene Brody, all of West Bloomfield;
sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and
Stacy Brodsky, Marc and Susan Brodsky,
all of West Bloomfield; grandchildren
Barry and Sharon Rosenberg, Stevan
Rosenberg, Kevin Rosenberg, Rochelle
Rosenberg, Smart Brody, Rachel Brody,
Brian Brodsky, Tamara Brodsky, Danielle
Brodsky, Michael Brodsky and Olivia
Brodsky; sisters, Bess Weintraub and Lee
Rothstein, both of West Bloomfield.
He was the devoted son of the late
Jacob and the late Anna Brodsky; loving
brOther of the late Goldye Kaplan
Markow, the late Harry Brodsky, the late
Abraham Brodsky, the late Nathan
Brodsky, the late Leo Brodsky and the
late Sol Brodsky; dear son-in-law of the
late Louis and the late Rose Konikof.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to the Dina and Herman Brodsky
Scholarship Fund at Hillel Day School,
32200 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills,
MI 48334, or to Congregation Shaarey
Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield, MI
48034. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel. ❑

Mt

V

eteran reporter Alvin "Al"
Rothenberg began covering the
auto industry for the Cleveland
News in 1948 when there were cars like
the Hudson, Nash, Studebaker and
Packard. Over the years, the former
Look magazine business editor saw those
old auto nameplates disappear — along
with some of the publications he wrote
for
Mr. Rothenberg, 85, of West
Bloomfield, a longtime Detroit-based
automotive writer, died June 23, 2004.
Last year, Mr. Rothenberg was honored
by his peers with a lifetime achievement
award from the Detroit Metropolitan
Chapter of the Society of Professional
Journalists.
(Al had an honorable 69-year career as
a journalist, including covering the auto
industry in one way or another for 48
years," said Bill Carroll, a colleague and
former head of Ford Motor Company's
North American Public Affairs News

Office. "He met and interviewed some
of the top moguls and celebrities in the
business.
"Al was a real pro — and a lovable
curmudgeon," said Carroll. "He acted
tough and gruff; but he was a sweet guy
with a great sense of humor, always
pulling off clever wisecracks."
Mr. Rothenberg's first assignment at
the Cleveland News was the 1949
Oldsmobile press preview when the
Rocket V-8 engine was launched.
Among his many interviewees at the
News were Liberace and Bob Hope.
When the paper folded in 1960, he
wrote for the Cleveland Press until 1962.
Look magazine named him business
editor in January 1963. He and his fam-
ily moved to Detroit, where he had
offices in the Fisher Building. His main
story annually was the 16-page fall cover
issue on the new cars. He also complet-
ed an import package in 1971, the year
the magazine failed. For Look, he did a
story on Charles Stewart Mott, the then

.
93-year old multi-millionaire
r s
General Motors board mem-
and The Car Connect'
ber, and on Lenore Romney
the Internet. Mn Rothenber
wife of Gm. George Romney.
was a member of the
John DeLorean was the sub-
Automotive Press Association
ject of a four-page article. Mr.
(APA) and the only editor of
Rothenberg won the Detroit
the APA's national media cal-
Press Club Foundation award
endar, whichh. launched.
for a Look story on Henry
Mr. Rothenberg was a vet-
Ford II in 1968.
eran . of WorldWar II, serv-
Lee Iacocca, president of
mg m England and
Ford Motor Co. handed Mr.
Germany. He belonged to
Rothenberg the Detroit Press Al Rothenbeig
Temple Kol Anil in West
Club Foundation's magazine
Bloomfield.
award for his 1974 story in Ward's Auto
Mr. Rothenberg is survived by his
World called "High On the Line," deal-
daughters and sons-in-law, Joan and
ing with alcohol and drugs in the auto
Richard Slavin of Illinois, Beth and Dr.
industry.
Gerald Lande of Indiana; grandchildren4
In 1972, Mr. Rothenberg became edi
Andrea, Melissa and Brian Slavin,
tor of the Chrysler Corporation maga-
Jennifer and Alexander Lande.
zines --- Dodge Adventurer and Chgsler-
He was the beloved husband of the
Plymouth Spectator. In 1977, he joined
late Dolores "Doily" Rothenberg; dear
the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers
brother of the late Dana Rothenberg.
Association as media relations manager
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
and held that post until he retired in
Park. Contributions may be made to the
January 1989.
Karmanos Cancer Institute or Temple
Since his retirement, he freelanced for
Kol Ami. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
the Chicago Tribune, Cleveland Plain
Chapel. I I

7/ 2
2004

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