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under Wachler's leadership, the group raised $80,000.
"From then on, we knew no boundaries," Keller said.
Copy Editor.
She also cited his "uncanny ability to solve problems
or get us out of jams because you saw things in ways
oyce Keller, the longtime executive director of
the rest of us could not even conceive. You never saw
JARC, eulogized Norman Wachler at his funeral
anything as a crisis. Instead, you always had
Sunday, addressing him directly: -
an unexpected view with a positive spin
"You not only gave JARC life, you were its
that invariably worked." His reliable test for
sustenance — its lifeblood."
any situation was "is it good for JARC?"
Mr. Wachler, 77, a major force in the
He was forever the optimist, she added.
formation of JARC, a 36-year-old agency
"The glass wasn't just half full for you,
that helps the developmentally disabled
Norman — it was overflowing, gushing
and their families, died Aug. 25, 2005, in
with life."
his West Bloomfield home. He was diag-
David Techner, a funeral director at the
nosed with lung cancer four months ago.
Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield, com-
Mr. Wachler served many years as JARC
mented that he had "never seen a better
president and board member and, more
community leader in action.
recendy, as its chief fund-raiser. He also
"He brought people together, gained
dedicated himself to many other causes in
consensus and everyone felt good after-
Norman Wachler
the Jewish community.
wards," Techner said, adding that Mr.
Why did he did he give so much of
Wachler had "an uncanny sense of articulating the
himself? Barbara Wachler, his wife of 55 years, said her
needs of the JARC community."
husband "believed so completely in doing this for peo-
ple."
Daughter Karen Wachler Stern described her father
Served Many Groups
as "deeply compassionate by nature — it was in his
While
JARC was Mr. Wachler's primary focus, he
genes. He learned that you take care of people and step
made sure that he had time and energies for other
in when there is a need."
Jewish agencies. The breadth of his volunteer work
She added that her father got involved with children
could have filled the resumes of several community
with special needs when her late sister, Judith Ann, had
activists.
a seizure in school and then was excluded from classes
During his lifetime, he served on the local boards of
because there were no available services for her. As a
the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Hebrew
result, the Wachlers and a couple other families
Free Loan Association, JVS, Allied Jewish Campaign
obtained space in the Jewish Community Center at
and on Kadima's advisory board. He was a trustee of
Meyers and Curtis in Detroit, hired a teacher and cre-
Sinai Hospital of Detroit; a chairman, board member
ated their own learning opportunity for children with
and finance committee chairman of Botsford General
special needs, Karen said.
Hospital in Farmington Hills; and a board member of
Speaking at Mr. Wachler's funeral, JARC director
Keller stated, "From the beginning, you were our great- Knollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield.
Born in Detroit, Mr. Wachler graduated Central
est source of vision and guidance. Whenever we faced a
High School and Highland Park Junior College. He
financial crisis, you refused to allow apprehension to
hinder us. You made us see that too many people need- served in the Army from 1946-47 in Tokyo as a crypt-
ed us to be held back by fear. That opening new homes analytic technician with the Army Security Agency.
After his discharge, he attended what is now
and expanding our services, even when we weren't sure
Michigan
State University for one year. Twenty years
how we'd pay for them, would stimulate even greater
later, in 1969, he enrolled in Oakland University, grad-
support in the community -- and it did."
uating in 1972 at age 44 with a bachelor's degree,
Keller cited the group's first fund-raiser, held at the
majoring in political science and Asian studies.
Northland Theatre in Southfield in 1981. The group
In 1951, Mr. Wachler joined the family-owned
doubted that it could reach the $50,000 goal. But

LEONARD POGER

jr

.

BERNARD BECKER, 95, of West

Bloomfield, died Aug. 24, 2005. A vet-
eran of World War II, he served as an
Army corporal in the Pacific Theatre
with a heavy artillery division. He later
became a manager for Harry Becker and
Company, a wholesale food business.
Mr. Becker was a member of B'nai
B'rith and Perfection Lodge of the
Masons.
He is survived by his daughter and
son-in-law, Beverly and Alan Yost of
Farmington Hills, grandchildren, Dr.
Robert and Susan Yost and Zachary
Yost. He was the beloved husband for

37 years-of the late Betty Becker; devot-
ed brother of the late Ata Chaya
Krolikowsky, the late Benjamin Becker,
the late Samuel Becker, the late William
Becker, the late Harry Becker, the late
Herman Becker and the late Rose Bean.
Interment at Adat Shalom Memorial
Park Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to Jewish National Fund, 24100
Chagrin Blvd, Suite #100, Cleveland,
Ohio 44122; the Michigan Humane
Society, 3600 Auburn Road, Rochester
Hills, MI 48309; or any organization
that supports Israel. Arrangements by
Ira Kaufman Chapel.

Osmun's clothing store in downtown Pontiac. Becom-
ing the company's CEO m 1954, he directed its
growth from $500,000 in annual sales to more than
$12 million in eight stores before it closed in 1990. He
later worked for Kosins Clothes for five years.
Subsequently, he joined the Hilco-Great American
Co. as an independent agent to organize and develop
going-out-of-business sales. At the same time, he was
an independent real estate salesman.
Although he was involved in JARC since its found-
ing in 1969, he became a consultant for its endowment
campaign in 1998. The temporary position quickly
expanded to a full-time job with Mr. Wachler handling
major gift fund-raising and giving support and counsel
to the development, finance and real estate depart-
ments. He also was director of corporate compliance,
ombudsman between staff and parents and adviser to
the board of directors.
"Forever young," is how Keller described Mr.
Wachler. "Earning a college degree in your 40s, as a
Chinese studies major, no less. Always in a convertible,
zipping around with the top down, even on the chilli-
est fall days. Your eagerness for new young leaders,
innovative ideas, fresh perspectives that stimulated you
— and allowed you, in turn, to stimulate others to
think in innovative and creative ways. The mind and
energy of a 30-year-old, masquerading as a silver-haired
fox with a perpetual tan."
"In this world, it's so easy to be a taker," said son
Robert Wachler. "One of Dad's gifts was giving. He
gave of his time, and he showered his love on his fami-
ly and friends."
Norman Wachler is survived by his wife, Barbara;
son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Judy Wachler of
Pleasant Ridge; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and
Charles Stern of San Francisco; grandchildren, Sarah
Wachler and fiance Ben Philip, Amy Wachler, Mira
Stern and Noah Stern; brothers-in-law and sister-in-
law, Jerry Lapides and Gordon and Wendy Lapides.
He was the beloved father of Judith Ann, who died
as a youngster, and the loving brother of the late
Sheldon Wachler and the cherished son of the late
Jacob and the late Margaret Wachler.
Interment was at Beth El Cemetery. Memorials may
be made to JARC, the Norman G. Wachler Special
Needs Fund, 30301 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 100,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.

LILLIAN BORDEN, 87, former

SYLVIA El. J ENBOGEN, 88, of West

Detroiter of California, died Aug. 9,
2005.
She is survived by her son and
daughter-in-law, Philip and Leslye
Borden; grandchildren, Matthew and
Cheryl Borden, Amy and Paul Jolly,
Mitchell Borden; great-grandchildren,
Jasmine and Solana Jolly, Alexa Borden;
brother and sisters-in-law, Bernard and
Renee Herman, Bernice Herman, all of
Albuquerque, N.M. She was the beloved
wife of the late Saul Borden; mother of
the late Dorothy Borden; sister of the
late Simon Herman.

Bloomfield, died Aug. 28, 2005.
She is survived by her son and daugh-
ter-in-law, Dr. Richard and Gail
Ellenbogen; grandchildren, Aaron
(Jennifer) Ellenbogen and David (Jenny)
Ellenbogen; great-grandchildren, Jacob
and Henry Ellenbogen. She was the
beloved wife of the late Kurt
Ellenbogen.
Interment at Adat Shalom Memorial
Park Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to Bar-Ilan University, 6735

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9/1
2005

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