obituaries »

MICHAEL ALPERT, 57, of Encino, Calif.,
died Feb. 8, 2016.
He is survived by his wife, Vivienne Alpert
of Encino; sisters and brothers-in-law, Susan
and Roberto Rossinove of Scottsdale, Ariz.,
Dale and Jerrold Rubin of Royal Oak; loving
nieces and nephews.
Mr. Alpert was the son of the late Bettie
and the late Robert Alpert.
Interment was in California. Contributions
may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

LOIS BERMAN, 79, of
Southfield, died Feb. 16,
2016.
Mrs. Berman is survived
by her daughter, Beth
Berman of Southfield;
son, Scott Berman of Los
Angeles, Calif.
Berman
She was the beloved wife
of the late Jack Berman, and
the devoted daughter of the
late Eugene and the late Fannie Steinberger.
Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Yad Ezra, 2850
W. 11 Mile, Berkley, MI 48072, www.yadezra.
org; or IRP, c/o Jewish Community Center,
6600 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48327.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

MARTIN I. BRONSTEIN,
88, of Oak Park, died Feb.
18, 2016.
He is survived by his
wife of 64 years, Madeline
Bronstein; children, Stewart
and Diana Bronstein of
Commerce Township,
Bronstein
Gail and Steve Elkus of
Royal Oak, Gary and
Beth Bronstein of Long
Grove, Ill., Joel and Michelle Bronstein
of Farmington Hills, Robert and Regina
Bronstein of Troy; sister, Millie Mintz
of Southfield; grandchildren, Jordyn
Bronstein, Justin Bronstein, Michael and
Carly Weinstock, Samantha Elkus, Taylor
Bronstein, Jared Bronstein, Travis Bronstein,
Kaitlin Bronstein, Patrick Bronstein, Ashley
Bronstein, Ryan Bronstein; great-grandchil-
dren, Joshua Weinstock, Marlee Weinstock;
also survived by many loving nieces, neph-
ews, other relatives and friends.
Mr. Bronstein was the dear brother and
brother-in-law of the late William Bronstein,
the late Rae Kaplan, the late Betty and the late
Willard Zamsky.
Interment was held at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions
may be made to American Parkinson Disease
Foundation, 11250 Hyland Blvd., Suite 4B,
Staten Island, NY 10305; Crohn’s & Colitis
Foundation, 25882 Orchard Lake Road,
Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48336; Irene
Elkus Good Times Fund, c/o JARC, 30301
Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, MI
48334. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.

Hope And Healing

eral committees and advisory boards
and gave presentations throughout the
world on treatment options for MS
based on his groundbreaking research
projects. Among many other honors,
he received MSU COM Alumnus of
the Year, and the Distinguished Fellow
Award and the Distinguished Educator
Award from the American College of
Neuropsychiatrists.

Ronelle Grier | Contributing Writer

F

or Howard Rossman, being a
doctor was not just a profes-
sion, it was a passion that
imbued every aspect of his life. A
devoted husband, father, brother,
physician and friend, Dr. Rossman
died on Feb. 15, 2016, at the age of
66, after a valiant fight against lung
cancer.
His medical practice was devoted
to helping those with multiple scle-
rosis (MS), and he was renowned for
his innovative research programs as
well as his compassionate bedside
manner.
“He was a natural helper and a
natural hero,” said his brother, Dr.
Martin Rossman, who spoke at the
funeral service. “He always wanted
to make people happy and ease their
pain … it was part of his being.”
The impact Dr. Rossman had on
all who knew him was reflected at
his funeral, where more than 1,000
people crowded into Ira Kaufman
Chapel to pay their respects; many
were patients who arrived with the
help of walkers and wheelchairs to
honor the man who gave them love,
hope and better quality of life.
Howard or “Howie,” as he was
called as a youngster, grew up in Oak
Park with brother Martin and par-
ents, Marion and Manny Rossman.
After graduating from Oak Park High
School, he became a Russian studies
major at the University of Michigan.
Then he attended the Michigan State
University College of Osteopathic
Medicine, where he later became
clinical professor of neurology.
Howard was president of MIND
(Michigan Institute for Neurological
Disorders) in Farmington Hills and
medical director of the organization’s
MS center, which he co-founded
with his wife, Sonda Rossman, and
brought to prominence through his
persistence, expertise and creativity.
Under Howard’s leadership, MIND
participated in some of the most
groundbreaking clinical trials, offer-
ing the best treatment options to MS
patients.
It was one of 11 sites around the
country chosen to participate in the
first phase II MS repair molecule
study, along with such nationally
prestigious institutions as Johns
Hopkins University in Maryland and
Stanford University in California.

Dr. Howard Rossman

‘ULTIMATE HERO’
To his wife, Sonda, also an MS patient,
Howard was the most exceptional hus-
band and partner, who dedicated the
latter part of his life to finding the best
treatments for the disease that affects
her.
To his children, Lindsey and David,
he was a caring and supportive father,
always finding time for family din-
ners and vacations and attending their
school events and extracurricular
activities despite the long hours and
unflagging demands of his medical
practice.
To his patients, Howard was the
devoted doctor who was also a friend,
making himself available whenever he
was needed and giving generously of
his time, wisdom and compassion.
“My father was my ultimate hero,
a man of courage, dedication, deter-
mination and strength,” said Lindsey,
who was inspired by her father to
pursue her own career as a doctor. “I
succeeded because of his love and sup-
port.”
From a young age, Howard was pas-
sionate about everything he did and
successful at everything he set out to
accomplish, according to Martin.
“He was sweet, kind, funny, loving,
and extremely focused and deter-
mined,” Martin said. “He was also a
private man and very generous. You
could always rely on him to do the
right thing, to be there for us.”
His passion for helping extended
beyond his family and his patients;
he was a teacher and mentor to many
other physicians and colleagues, win-
ning many accolades for his teaching
as well as his research.
Howard was active in numerous pro-
fessional organizations, served on sev-

A DEDICATED LIFE
Howard and Sonda shared a mutual
passion for finding new ways to com-
bat the disease. Together they found-
ed the MIND MS Center and worked
side-by-side initiating and supervis-
ing clinical trials that improved the
quality of life and offered new hope to
patients and their families.
When he became ill, Howard
fought courageously, never giving up,
continuing to care for his patients
even in the midst of his own treat-
ment.
“Howard dedicated his life and
his work to research; he did what
no one thought could be done,” said
Rabbi Harold Loss of Temple Israel,
who officiated the funeral service. “If
you were his patient, you felt that all
would be fine.”
Dr. Howard Stuart Rossman is sur-
vived by his wife, Sonda Rossman;
son, David Rossman and his partner
Matthew Shuman; daughter and
son-in-law, Dr. Lindsey Rossman
and Daniel Canvasser; former wife,
Randie Rossman; brother and sister-
in-law, Dr. Martin and Mie Rossman;
nieces and nephew, Marisa and Leon
Sultan, and Mariel Rossman; great-
nephew, Teddy Sultan; mother-in-law
and father-in-law, Janet and Thomas
Karchon. He is also survived by his
puppy, Gracie Lu Rossman.
Dr. Rossman was the devoted
son of the late Manuel and the late
Marion Rossman.
Interment was at Beth El
Memorial Park. Contributions
may be directed to LUNGevity
Foundation, 218 S. Wabash Ave.,
Suite 540, Chicago, IL 60604, www.
lungevity.org; National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, 733 Third Ave., 3rd
Floor, New York, NY 10017, www.
nationalMSsociety.org; or Botsford
Hospital c/o Botsford Foundation,
28050 Grand River Ave., Farmington
Hills, MI 48336, www.botsford.org/
foundation. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.

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