obituaries
BERNARD BEIGEL, 91, of
West Bloomfield, died April
15, 2014.
He was the loving husband
of Charlotte (Schiff) for 68
years. They met on a blind
date, and it was love at first
sight.
Beigel
He was the loving father of
Barbara (Howard) Leshman,
Sharon (Andrew) Collins.
Papa of Scott (Nicole)
Leshman, Jaclyn (Neil)
Rosenzweig, Zachary Collins,
and the late Seth Michael
Collins.
He and his family fled
Germany in 1938 and settled in New York. He
and Charlotte were the owners of many retail
stores, including Charlottes Knit Shops and
All that Glitters. They worked side-by-side in
business until retiring just last year.
He leaves behind great-grandchildren, Jolie
and Chase Rosenzweig, sister-in-law, Eva (the
late Geri) Wertheimer of Boston; brother-in-
law and sister in law, Otto and Marilyn Schiff
of Carmel, Calif.; three nieces and one nephew.
He was the son of the late Bettina and the
late Michales Beigel.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery
in Birmingham. Contributions can be made
to the Jewish National Fund, the Seth Michael
Collins Memorial Grove HN10304; to the
Holocaust Memorial Center; or to a charity
of one's choice. Arrangements by Dorfman
Chapel.
A.
A Showman And A Visionary
Ronelle Grier
Contributing Writer
R
More than his professional accomplishments and
extensive community involvement, Richard valued
his role as husband, father and grandfather. He loved
spending time with his four grandchildren, making trips
to attend their birthday parties and special events as
often as possible despite his recent health challenges.
"Nothing would stop him from sharing these precious
moments with his grandchildren," said his son Matthew,
who also spoke at the funeral.
ichard Sloan was a successful real estate devel-
oper, but he was best known for the business
closest to his heart: Suburban Detroit Theatres.
While managing the Mercury Theater in Northwest
Detroit, which was founded by his father, Richard devel-
oped a love for the movie business. While there, Richard
made the Mercury the first non-downtown theater in
Helping Others
the country to show a first-run movie. In fact, famed
film director Otto Preminger checked out the Mercury
Richard was known for his generosity and willingness to
beforehand to make sure it was a worthy venue.
help others, often behind the scenes. He helped his father's
Using this early experience, Richard created Suburban sisters relocate from the Soviet Union to Israel and contin-
Detroit Theatres, one of the most successful indepen-
ued to provide assistance to their families over the years.
dent movie theater chains in the Midwest.
His sons often heard stories about friends
He was especially proud of the Maple Art
he had helped years earlier, loans he had
Theater, known for its foreign films and
co-signed, advice he had given, never
"indie" offerings.
expecting anything in return.
Richard also loved his community and
Israel was another of Richard's pas-
taught by example the importance of giving
sions, and he traveled there more than 20
back and doing the right thing.
times, introducing Sheila to the country
He supported the NAACP in its early
he loved two months after their honey-
moon and later taking the whole family
years, chaired the Detroit Federation's
Allied Jewish Campaign (now called the
to tour the Holy Land and climb Masada.
According to his family, he never
Annual Campaign) and served on a variety
of boards and committees for organiza-
stopped dreaming. He recently under-
tions that included the Jewish Community
took a complete redesign of his home in
Rancho Mirage, Callif., so his children
Center, Tamarack Camps, Sinai Hospital, the
and their families would have room and
Michigan Opera Theatre, Project Hope and
Richard Slo an
Variety, the Children's Charity.
he could look out at his favorite moun-
In 2010, he received the Lifetime
tain from the breakfast room. When his
Achievement Award from the Jewish
health issues necessitated the use of a
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and was referred to
walker, he was determined to learn to walk without it.
as a "visionary" during the ceremony held in his honor.
"That kept him going," said Matthew.
Richard Sloan, who died April 13, 2014, at age 89, was
Andrew said his father took optimism to a new level,
also a devoted family man whose life was filled with
and extended this attitude to every aspect of his life.
love and gratitude. He was known for his optimistic
"He took the `glass-half-full' concept to extreme said
outlook, generosity and buoyant disposition, always
Andrew. "If his cup had more than a drop, he was sure
focusing on the positive and viewing every challenge as
his cup was nearly full or would be soon, and he pushed
an opportunity.
this relentlessly until his cup was running over."
Richard Sloan is survived by his wife, Sheila Sloan;
Strong Family Ties
sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Andrew and Dr. Jill
His sons, Andrew and Matthew, appreciated the devotion
Sloan of Ohio, Matthew and Kelly Sloan of Los Angeles;
and steadfast support their father provided, inspiring them
grandchildren, Charlotte Amanda Sloan, Sophie Julia
to do their best while emphasizing the importance of tak-
Sloan, Sasha Josie Sloan and Jonah Ari Sloan; brother,
ing time to enjoy life.
Robert Sloan of Farmington Hills; brothers-in-law
"He was a very low-key dad; he taught by example,
and sisters-in-law, Marvin and Lynne Starman of
insisting only that we got in the game and accomplished
West Bloomfield and Jody Sloan of Florida; nieces and
our own goals," said Andrew, who spoke at the funeral
nephews, Lori and Doug Weissman, Wendy and Larry
Papier, Jeffrey and Helen Starman, David Sloan, Daniel
service.
"He only wanted that we do our best and find some-
Sloan, Barry Sloan, Stephen Sloan, Josh Sloan, Heather
thing and someone to love."
Sloan; very special cousins and a world of friends.
Sheila Sloan, his wife of 52 years, was the light of his
Mr. Sloan was the dear son of the late Saul and the
life. They were married four months after meeting at the late Hattie Sloan, the loving brother of the late Eugene
wedding of a mutual friend, and together they raised a
Sloan, the late Jerome Sloan and the late Ronald Sloan.
loving family, traveled the world, supported each other
Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park.
in their respective careers and devoted time to the
Contributions may be directed to Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit, 6735 Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills,
causes they believed in.
"He was crazy about the movies ... he got a kick out
MI 48301, www.jewishdetroit.org ; Jewish Federation
of doing things he loved, and most of all, he was a won-
of the Desert, 69710 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA
derful husband, father and grandfather:' said Sheila. "He 92270, www.jfedps.com; or Michigan Opera Theatre,
carried on his father's tradition of caring and doing for
1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226 www.michiganopera.
org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Cahpel.
others."
❑
MYER "MIKE" BERESH, 95,
of Southfield, died April 16,
2014.
He is survived by his
daughter and son-in-law,
Lorry and Jerry Cooper of
Bloomfield Hills; sons and
daughters-in-law, Ken and
Beresh
Suzy Beresh of Commerce
Township, Arnie and Michele
Beresh of Virginia; grandchildren, Bradley
Cooper, Kimberly Cooper, Jason and Dana
Cooper, Jennifer and Jeffrey Dudovitz, Steven
Beresh, Matthew Beresh and Jennifer Jones;
great-grandchildren, Carly, Cameron, Sofie,
Jake, Noah, Josh, Lindsay, Eliza and Margot;
sister, Eleanor Rafal; brothers-in-law and
sister-in-law, Jack Goldfarb of Florida, Morris
and Joanne Goldfarb of Florida.
Mr. Beresh was the beloved husband of the
late Sylvia Beresh; the loving brother of the
late Louis Beresh, the late Abraham Beresh and
the late Morris Beresh; the dear brother-in-
law of the late Vivian Beresh, the late Francis
Beresh, the late Mickey Beresh and the late
Marty Rafal.
Contributions may be made to the Jewish
Community Center of Oak Park, c/o Senior
Fund, A. Alfred Taubman Campus, 15110 West
10 Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237, or to a
charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
Obituaries on page 82
Obituaries
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April 24 • 2014
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