obituaries
A 'Passion For Life' In Everything He Did
W
ith a six-decade career in
mechanical engineering, Don
Sachs had a wealth of knowl-
edge — and he loved to share it.
Don was a specialist in HVAC (heat-
ing, ventilation and air conditioning).
He taught himself acoustical engineering
and was also recognized in that field.
But in his "golden years" when most
people retired, Don didn't rest. He con-
tinued his professional life into his 80s,
advising and mentoring new generatons
of engineers. He also pursued numerous
personal interests, including photography,
ham radio and classical music. Don could
be seen around town driving his sporty
Mazda Miata.
An irrepressible spirit, he renewed his
clarinet skills in his 80s and played in
several concerts with the Birmingham
Concert Band.
Donald J. Sachs, 87, of Southfield, died
suddenly on March 14, 2013, after suffer-
ing a fall in his garage.
Although his two partners at the engi-
neering firm of Migdal, Layne and Sachs
of Oak Park retired years earlier, Don
wasn't yet ready. He kept current with the
latest computer technology. Friend and
colleague Joe Fontanesi assisted Don in
finding outlets for his talents within his
profession. In counseling and mentoring
other engineers, he made his life's experi-
ence relevant in a now-digitized profes-
sion.
In 2007, Don, the then-82-year-old senior
consultant at Peter Basso Associates in
Troy, was so valued by the younger engi-
neers at the firm that he was honored at
a ceremony of Operation Able, an orga-
nization dedicated to utilizing the skills
of mature individuals who have much to
offer to society.
Don's award presentation
said, "His passion for life is
apparent in everything he
does" adding, "He is a walk-
ing encyclopedia ... constant-
ly assisting others" It even
credited Don's expertise in
acoustics with generating new
work for the company.
The award noted, "Always
willing to get involved, Don
actively helps solve problems
through to the end:'
DR. BRADLEY BOTVINICK, 40, of
Huntington Woods, died March 14, 2013.
He is survived by his wife, Alison
Botvinick; parents, Dr. Carl and Sandra
Botvinick of Bloomfield Hills; brother
and sister-in-law, Mark and Christine
Botvinick of Boulder, Colo.; sister and
brother-in-law, Hope and Jason Garvis of
Bloomfield Hills; nephew and niece, Asher
Botvinick and Noa Garvis; father-in-law
and mother-in-law, Dr. Marvin and Marci
Shulman; brother-in-law, Brad Shulman;
many other loving relatives and friends.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Arrangements by
Ira Kaufman Chapel.
and sister-in-law, Stephen and Judy
Busker; 10 grandchildren; seven great-
grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the
Alzheimer's Association, 20300 Civic Center
Drive, #100, Southfield, MI 48076, www.
alzgmc.org; or a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
ROBERT BUSKER, 81, of Harrison
Township, died March 13, 2013.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years,
Betty Busker; daughter and son-in-law,
Terri and Jeffrey Bagnasco; son and
daughter-in-law, Dan and Helen Busker;
stepchildren, Louis Moore (Ted Eberly),
Margaret Cueter, Kenneth (Kelly) Zufelt,
and Lisa Zufelt (Julia O'Donovon); brother
making our synagogue building as beauti-
ful as it is.
"And Don didrit stop there. Any time a new
project came along that had to do with the
physical structure, he brought his skills, his
knowledge and his love for his synagogue"
A Loving Family Man
Don was a graduate of
Central High School in
1943 and served in the
Navy during World War II.
He attended the University
of Michigan and earned an
engineering degree from
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute in New York.
Rabbi Pachter related
how Don met his wife,
Donald Sa chs
Marilyn, when he was 24
Dedicated To His Shul
and she was 17 at a Jewish
Don's strong altruistic streak came in
Federation meeting on how to solicit
handy during his service as president of
contributions door-to-door. Marilyn
Congregation B'nai Moshe from 1968-
remembers how they gazed at each other
1970. As noted by Rabbi Elliot Pachter in from across the room. Later that year,
his eulogy, Don was a lifelong member
they were wed. And Don never failed to
of the shul, covering its years in Detroit,
give roses to his beloved on each of their
Oak Park and West Bloomfield.
62 anniversaries.
"In our synagogue, if something needed
Don adored his three daughters, sons-
to be done or fixed, Don stepped forward. in-law and five grandchildren — sharing
He took on the presidency and remained
with them his love of music, the outdoors,
active these 40 years since."
animals and technology — and always
Rabbi Pachter said that when B'nai Moshe being available for them and involved in
built its current building in 1992, Don was
their lives.
one of the people central to that project
Speaking at the funeral, sister Rochelle
"Don was someone who put his heart
Lupovitch of West Bloomfield praised
and soul and his engineering skills into
Don for being a very caring, loving sibling
MINDY DUNN, 53, of
West Bloomfield, died
March 17, 2013.
She is survived by her
devoted husband, David
Dunn of West Bloomfield;
daughter, Brooke Dunn
of West Bloomfield; son,
Dunn
Bradley Dunn of West
Bloomfield; brother and sister-in-law,
Dr. Douglas and Dr. Margo Woll of West
Bloomfield; many loving nieces, nephews,
other family members and friends.
Mrs. Dunn was the daughter of the late
Dr. Louis and the late Fay Woll.
Contributions may be made to the Louis
and Fay Woll Memorial Bible Garden
at Congregation Beth Ahm. Interment
took place at the Machpelah Cemetery in
Ferndale. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.
ESTHER SHAWMUT FRIEDMAN, of
Reseda, Calif., died March 6, 2013, just shy
of her 90th birthday.
Her mother, Janet Lear Shawmut, a
World War I Navy veteran and an attorney,
inspired Esther to join the Navy during
World War II. Esther joined the Waves as a
pharmacist's mate.
After her discharge, she organized
Habonim youth groups in Pennsylvania.
Concurrently, she recruited for "Land
and Labor for Palestine," a Haganah-front
organization that enlisted volunteers to
serve in the Haganah or to sail Aliyah Bet
ships, smuggling Jews into Palestine. In
1948, Esther joined the overseas Haganah
operations and was smuggled into a camp
for displaced Jews in Marseilles. From
there, she sailed for Israel aboard the Pan
York, aiding the 5,000 refugees hidden on
board. In Israel, she served as a combat
medic in the newly formed Israel Defense
Forces, serving with the 8th Armored
Brigade at the battle for Beersheba.
Obituaries
to their brother, Myron Sachs, "a lovely
man with special needs"
Said Rabbi Pachter, "Don was so
delighted to be a part of this community,
the business world, our synagogue and,
most especially, his family.
"And he was always looking to see how
he could help."
Don Sachs is survived by his wife,
Marilyn Sachs; daughters and sons-in-
law, Vicki and Stanley Cowen of West
Bloomfield, Debbie and Steven Blair
of West Bloomfield, and Bonnie Sachs
Gordon and Dr. Joel Gordon of Leeds,
Mass.; grandchildren, Lori Cowen, Erica
and Emily Jaffe, and Eli and Talia Gordon;
sister and brother-in-law, Rochelle and
Dr. Aaron Lupovitch; nieces and nephews,
Dr. Beth and Ronn Nadis, Dr. Steven and
Elisa Lupovitch, Dr. Howard Lupovitch
and Marni Foster, Dr. Jeffrey Lupovitch
and Dr. Alissa Citron. Mr. Sachs is also
survived by dear cousins, Dr. Michael and
Marion Freedman.
He was the dear brother of the late
Myron Sachs and the cherished son of the
late Esther and the late Benjamin Sachs.
Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to JARC,
Myron Sachs Fund, 30301 Northwestern
Highway, #100, Farmington Hills, MI
48334, www.jarc.org ; Congregation
B'nai Moshe, 6800 Drake Road, West
Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.bnaimoshe.
org; or a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
❑
Returning to the United States with her
husband, Aaron Friedman, in the 1950s,
Esther began a distinguished career in
the Jewish community She served as the
program director for the Wilmington,
Delaware JCC, executive director Southern
California Region for Zionists of America,
regional director of the State of Israel
Bonds for the San Fernando Valley and
executive director greater Los Angeles for
BBYO Inc.
For the past 20 years, Esther was the
president of Machal West. She was also a
sought-after speaker for the Los Angeles
Israeli Consulate's department of commu-
nity affairs.
Mrs. Friedman is survived by her hus-
band, Aaron; daughter and son-in-law,
Shari and Howard Lesnick; grandsons,
Maxx and Ben Lesnick of West Bloomfield;
sister, Shaloma Lessner of Miami, Fla.; lov-
ing nephews and nieces.
Contributions may be made to Send
A Kid to Tamarack Fund, Tamarack
Camps, 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 380,
Bloomfield, MI 48301.
Obituaries on page 82
JN
March 21 • 2013
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