obituaries A Great Fan And Generous Man Barbara Lewis I Contributing Writer rthur "Art" Langer of Farmington Hills was thrilled when his beloved Michigan State Spartans won a spot to play in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day — the first time in 26 years. "His dream was to take his children and grandchildren to Pasadena to see the game," said his wife, Gail. "This was big time:' she said. "People kept calling and congratulating him when the Spartans made it to Rose Bowl. Art always wore green-and-white Michigan State attire and even an MSU yarmulke. He had green blood — his love for MSU was infectious. The Rose Bowl was his triumph!" Art bought tickets to the game for everyone and flew to Pasadena with Gail, but he never got to see the Rose Bowl in person. He fell ill before the game and had to watch MSU's 24-20 victory over Stanford on his hotel room TV. But his family got to realize his dream by attend- ing the game. Later, Gail took Art back to Phoenix, Ariz., where they have a second home. He was hospitalized and died suddenly on Jan. 6, 2014, at age 71. Art was vice-president and co-owner of Medical Weight Loss Clinic Inc., a company he helped found in 1986. He served as its chief operating officer. The physician-supervised program began with eight clinics and grew to 32 locations. Art grew up in New York. He attended the Torah V'Emunah yeshivah and grad- uated from the prestigious Stuyvesant High School. As a Michigan State stu- dent majoring in advertising, he served A MARTHA BAILEY, 92, formerly of Southfield, died Dec. 21, 2013, in Boca Raton, Fla. Mrs. Bailey retired from Southfield Public Schools after a long career as a guidance counselor. She will be missed. She was the cherished mother of Richard (Patty) Gilbert and Andrea Gilbert (partner, Gail Logan); loving grandmother of Jeff (Sarah) Ellis, Erica (Rex Hoffmann) Ellis, Jessica (Justin) Libecap; soon-to-be five great-grand- children; adored aunt of Ted (Carol) Bahr, Marilyn Esner and Diane Bahr. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert E. Bailey; sister of the late Sara 60 January 16 • 2014 JN as advertising editor for the student our Hillel without Art. This is a great newspaper, the State News, a role he was loss not only to his family but also to our proud of all his life. community" On his first day of classes at MSU, he Art also served on the advisory board met the late Stephen Paull, who soon of the Jewish studies program at MSU. became his best friend and eventually his Art was a wonderful employer, said Sander Lipman, D.O., one of the physi- business partner in Medical Weight Loss Clinic. cians who worked for Medical Weight Art was a longtime MSU football sea- Loss Clinics and a close personal friend. son ticket holder. His frequent tailgate "He loved to party with his employ- parties were known as the place to get ees:' said Lipman, noting every year he a kosher hot dog. He and would hold a big Christmas his family would celebrate party at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park. "The Michigan State wins with hot fudge sundaes. food was kosher, but Art He also enjoyed tak- would dress up as Santa ing his grandchildren to Claus and come in with Michigan State's annual presents for everyone. He Grandparents' University, a was a good friend who had a three-day program where big heart" he could show off his alma Art enjoyed golf. He knew mater to his grandchildren the kind of golf balls each player in his league pre- and reconnect with class- Arthur Lang er mates. ferred, and he would often give them as gifts. Hillel Booster A mutual friend introduced Art and Art was committed to a Jewish pres- Gail because, he said, "your kids look ence at Michigan State. He was deeply alike:' During the seven years they dated, involved with its Hillel program, on Gail's children, Randee and Debby, root- which he served as president. He played a ed for him over other suitors by chanting, critical role in the fundraising campaign "We love Art!" The Langers married in that led to the new campus Hillel build- 1985. Their blended family included Art's ing, ensuring that current and future daughter, Robin. Jewish students at the university would "They were one big happy family:' said have a place to call their own. Lipman. "No one looking at them would MSU Hillel Director Cindy Hughey said guess that the kids were not siblings from the Hillel would not be the dynamic place birth" it is today without the vision and commit- Beth Shalom Leader ment of Art, one of its best advocates. "He was a wonderful friend to me, and A longtime member of Beth Shalom, Art he was so proud of everything we had served as the congregation's president accomplished for Jewish college students from 1995-1997 and was a key figure in at MSU," she said. "It is hard to imagine the renovation of the synagogue's social (Bernie) Bahr; devoted daughter of the late Rebecca and the late Theodore Sussman. took place at the Beth El Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Arrangements by the Dorfman Chapel. BERNARD BELLOW, 81, of West LISA A. CHERRY, 52, of Hazel Park, died Jan. 7, 2014. She is survived by her son, Allan Howard Cherry Cadreau; daughter, Rachel Hannah Cherry; Cherry mother, Russi Arden; brother, Justin Arden. Lisa was the devoted daughter of the late Capt. Allan Cherry; the loving sister of the late Howard H. Cherry and the late Ben Arden. Contributions may be made to the Michigan Humane Society, Development Bloomfield, died Jan. 9, 2014. He is survived by his sister, Sally Cymerint of Oak Park; sister-in-law, Jean Maggid; nieces and nephews, Roger (Peggy) Maggid, Joyce White, Linda (John) Blankenship, and Jeffrey (Debrah) Cymerint; many other loving family members and friends. Mr. Bellow was the beloved husband of the late Rosalind Bellow; the brother- in-law of the late Harry Cymerint and the late Bob Maggid. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Michigan Humane Society. Interment Obituaries hall and the building of the school wing. Gail Langer served as president from 2001-2003, making the Langers the congregation's first husband-and-wife presidents. Art was known for his generosity. He often helped people with personal needs, such as down payments on their houses, usually without fanfare. "Art always gave with an open heart;' said David Nelson, rabbi emeritus at Beth Shalom, who officiated at the funeral. "Once during his presidency, as he sat on the bimah, he noticed that a young man who was leading Ashrei the week before his bar mitzvah was wearing an ill-fitting suit and what appeared to be his father's shoes. "Art turned to me and said, 'Make sure you give the boy $200 at a private moment;" Rabbi Nelson said. "The next week the boy looked fashionable — and no one knew that Art was behind it:' Arthur Langer is survived by his wife, Gail; daughters, Robin (Christian) Goerrissen of Chatsworth, Calif., Randee (Michael) Black of Farmington Hills, Debby (David) Schilling of Fenton; grandchildren, Marlie Fishlowitz, Julie Klein, Jacob Black, Kayla Schilling, McKenna Schilling, Nicholas Schilling; brother, Paul (Fran) Langer; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Seymour and Francine Linovitz and Raymond and Carol Linovitz. Contributions may be made to the Hillel Foundation of Michigan State University, Lester J. and Jewell Morris Jewish Student Center, 360 Charles St., East Lansing, MI 48823, www. msuhillel.org; or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ❑ Department, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, www.michiganhumane.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. MICHAEL ELMAN, 64, of Farmington Hills, died Jan. 10, 2014. He is survived by his brother, Alan Elman; sister, Susan Ulintz of New York; nephew, Jordan Ulintz; many loving, dear friends. Mr. Elman was the dear brother-in- law of the late Peter Ulintz. Contributions may be made to a char- ity of one's choice. Interment was held at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.