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A Mentor To All

David Sachs | Senior Copy Editor

A

t his funeral, Norm Bash was
described as having “the best
marketing mind” of anyone.
The unique thing about him, how-
ever, explained his children, Jeff and
Stephanie, was that Norm didn’t just
limit his brilliance to the corporate
world — he shared his insight to benefit
everyday people.
For instance, Norm would lend his
career coaching skills to help high
school and college students, new Russian
immigrants and the unemployed.
“Mentoring was a major theme of his
life,” Stephanie said.
But bigger challenges lay ahead for
Norm.
Six years ago, he was diagnosed with
a life-threatening abdominal cancer,
and only an 11-hour surgery and many
subsequent treatments at the University
of Michigan extended his life — giving
his family many opportunities to spend
quality time with him.
As his brother Roger noted at the
funeral, most admirable about Norm
was not only his intelligence, but also
his courage and his good-heartedness
toward others.
Although bravely dealing with sur-
gery, chemotherapy, radiation, kidney
failure and dialysis, Norm kept his focus
on helping fellow patients.
“Not only did he never complain, but
he became a role model for people deal-
ing with major health challenges,” said
Stephanie. “He used his own experiences
to teach others.”

FAMILY LIFE
Norman E. Bash, 73, of Ann Arbor
passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2016,
surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born on May 24, 1943, in

Brooklyn’s Borough Park, the son of
ments around the country.
Jack Bash and Jeanette (Braus) Bash.
Norm volunteered on a number of
When Norm was 7, the family moved
boards including the Michigan-Israel
to Chicago. He attended the University
Business Bridge, the Performance
of Chicago and he earned a degree in
Network Theater in Ann Arbor, and
chemistry and a master’s
the Marketing and Sales
in business administration.
Executives of Detroit. He
As a student, he met Leslie
also participated in inter-
Sager on a blind date, and
viewing prospective stu-
they married on June 20,
dents for the University of
1965.
Chicago.
Said Stephanie, “My dad
MEDICAL ALTRUISM
was a dedicated husband,
During his illness, Norm
and my parents enjoyed
found the strength to
many travels and adventures Norman Bash
contribute to medical sci-
together during their 51
ence in a number of ways,
years of marriage. My mom,
including being a tireless advocate for
Leslie, has been the most committed
kidney research in Michigan and par-
spouse, caregiver and medical advocate
a person could ever have. Her incredible ticipating with the Michigan Kidney
Foundation as a peer mentor, informing
caring made a true difference to him,
other patients on what to expect. He
and she is a wonderful role model to all
also used his management and strategic
of us.”
planning skills to suggest ways hospitals
Norm started a long career in stra-
can deliver better care to patients.
tegic planning and marketing with
One special teaching activity he did
Rohm and Haas, a chemical company in
was working with his favorite kidney
Philadelphia. In 1970, the family moved
to Pittsfield, Mass., where Norm worked doc, Dr. Michael Heung, serving each
year on a special panel for second-year
for the Plastics Division of General
Electric. Eight years later, he was offered medical students at U-M medical school.
He felt that he could make a unique con-
the opportunity to work for General
tribution by sharing information about
Electric’s Far East Division in New York
kidney disease and dialysis with future
City. In that role, Norm developed a
doctors from a patient’s perspective so
deep love for both travel and Asian cul-
they could provide better care to their
ture — especially food.
His last position in manufacturing was patients.
Norm’s friend Dr. Jerry Weinberg of
with Freudenberg NOK, a Metro Detroit-
based auto parts company. Later, he con- West Bloomfield said, “Dr. Heung told
sulted with a variety of local companies. Norm that he was the strongest person
he had ever treated for kidney failure.
Norm and Leslie established a home
I asked the doctor how he would be
in West Bloomfield in 1991, where they
able to replace Norm as a teacher, and
developed a great network of friends,
he replied that he learned enough from
which extended to Ann Arbor as well.
Norm to pass it on to many generations.”
In semi-retirement, Norm was free to
Norm’s friend David Magidson of
pursue one of his greatest passions, com-
Bloomfield Hills noted Norm was
petitive bridge. He competed in tourna-

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“blessed with a lovely sense of humor.
“But what was most remarkable of all
was Norm’s spirit,” said Magidson, “his
unwillingness to give up, even when he
was monumentally sick.”
In his eulogy, Rabbi Robert Dobrusin
of Beth Israel Congregation in Ann
Arbor recalled Norm’s love of the Jewish
people and for Israel, and talked about
Norm’s legacy of teaching and helping
others.
“The inspiration he gave to so many,
his dedication to lifelong learning,
teaching and to his family left this world
a much better place,” said the rabbi.
“Norman left us all with a greater
appreciation for life and all it can hold,
and for that, we should always be grate-
ful.”
Norman Bash was the beloved hus-
band of Leslie Bash; cherished father
of Jeff (Sabrina Powers) Bash and
Stephanie (Michael Soudry) Bash-
Soudry; loving grandfather of Ben
Soudry, Nadav Soudry and Maya
Soudry; proud brother of Roger (Margo)
Bash and Joshua Bash; dear uncle of
Daniel and Jonathan Bash, Adam Howell
and Kat Howell. He is also survived by
many loving cousins.
Contributions in his memory may be
made to: U-M Division of Nephrology,
U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center,
Attn: Sarcoma Research Dept., 2800
Plymouth Road, Building 100, Ann
Arbor, MI 48109-2800, (734) 998-6893,
mcancer.org/giving; Hadassah-Greater
Detroit Chapter, 5030 Orchard Lake
Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, (248)
683-5030, www.hadassah.org/detroit;
or Beth Israel Congregation, 2000
Washtenaw, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, (734)
665-9897, www.bethisrael-aa.org.
Interment was at Arborcrest Memorial
Park in Ann Arbor. Arrangements were
by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

*

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