soul

He Loved Life

of blessed memory

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DR. STUART JAY BASS, 72, of
West Bloomfield, died Oct. 9,
2018.
He was a practicing podiatrist
for almost 50 years, became the
residency director of Podiatric
Medicine at McClaren Oakland
Hospital, was a past president of the Michigan
Podiatric Medical Association and acted as an
Oakland County sheriff for more than 30 years.
Dr. Bass is survived by his wife of 49 years,
Caren Bass; daughters and sons-in-law, Robyn
and Travis Hunt, and Julie and David Sidder;
grandchildren, Braden and Gavin Hunt, and
Ella and Ava Sidder; brother, Dr. Stephan Bass;
brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Stephen and
Deirdre Putterman; many other loving family
members and a world of friends.
He was the devoted son of the late Abraham
and the late Freida Bass.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s
choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

JUDITH “JUDI” KAY CRAIG
passed away on the morning of
Oct. 15, 2018.
She was born on Jan. 28, 1944.
She graduated from Monmouth
University in West Long Branch,
N.J. Judi was a longtime resident
of West Bloomfield.
Mrs. Craig is survived by her son, Jordan S.
Craig; and her sister, Kathleen S. Stephens.
She was preceded in death by her father, Sam
Harris; her mother, Marie K. Harris; and her sis-
ter, Rebecca L. Harmon.

ESTALEE EICHLER, 83, of
Southfield, died Oct. 12, 2018.
She is survived by her children,
Gail and Dr. Jeffrey Frederick,
Lanie Eichler, Dr. Jay and Jodi
Eichler, Ruth Eichler, and Pam
and Steve Keiles; grandchildren,
Chelsey and Carly Eichler, and Lilly Keiles;
sister, Sharon Meyers; her dear friend, Marla
Stevelberg.
Mrs. Eichler was the beloved wife of the late
Julius Eichler; the loving sister of the late Merle
Weiss; the dear sister-in-law of the late Jared
Meyers.
Contributions may be made to Michigan
Humane Society, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite
220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, michigan
humane.org/tributes; Detroit Zoological Society,
8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067,
www.detroitzoo.org; or Jewish Hospice &
Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West
Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.jewishhospice.
org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

continued on page 68

66

October 25 • 2018

jn

R

odney “Rod” Michael Brown packed a lot
into every day. He will be remembered by
family and friends as being caring, energetic
and a magnet for friendships. He was a once-in-a-
lifetime kind of guy.
The good-natured, industrious family man
worked alongside business partner Ron Elkus,
founder of The Shirt Box men’s clothing store in
Farmington Hills — Rod’s dream job.
When someone asked, “How’s business?” Rod’s
trademark reply was, “We’re making
friends.”
Rod Brown, 51, of Farmington Hills
suffered a sudden heart attack at home
less than a week after vacationing in
Spain with his wife, Vicki, and dear
friends whom they refer to as “the
Book Club.” He died Oct. 12, 2018.
The youngest of three sons born to
Helen and Fred Brown, Rod entered
the world on March 23, 1967. He
graduated from Southfield-Lathrup
High School in 1985 and Michigan
State University four years later. Rod
then went on to earn a law degree at University
of Detroit. He spent 13 years as a personal injury
attorney before joining Ron at The Shirt Box.
“At 16, Rod was one of the first teenagers I hired,”
Elkus said. “None was more talented, hardworking
or fun to be around than Rod. He was a natural in
sales. Then, it was my great fortune to have Rod
come back decades later. Rod could find the perfect
outfit for each simchah for every customer, who
soon became a friend. He sold from the heart.”
Rod’s partner in life — the love of his life — was
his wife, Vicki (White-Murray) Brown. They dated
3½ years before their wedding on Dec. 2, 2007.
Each brought three children to the marriage.
“He proposed to me in front of all six kids, say-
ing, ‘I want to be a family,’” Vicki said. The octag-
onal diamond engagement ring he gave her rep-
resents all eight of them.
Her husband was a loving, respectful and adoring
son to his parents and to his in-laws, Fran and Ron
White.
He made a point of attending the children’s many
activities — sporting and BBYO events, concerts
and hanging out with them and their friends. “I’m
building memories,” he’d often say.
Son Bryan Brown eulogized his father as “an
unwavering sense of support for family and
friends.”
Son Andrew Brown said. “He showed me what
family meant.”
Daughter Samantha Murray said, “Without him
around, it’s going to be much too quiet.”
Son Josh Murray said he will miss the conversa-
tions and advice he got from Rod, who was always
so supportive of him and his siblings.
Rod was very excited about the upcoming wed-
ding of their daughter Brittany Murray and her
fiancé Aaron Lawcock.

Jason Brown said his father’s amusing parental
insults came “from a place of love because of the
compliment” within, such as: ‘You didn’t do so well
on the test, but at least you’re handsome.’”
At his overflow funeral service at Ira Kaufman
Chapel, Adat Shalom Synagogue Rabbi Rachel
Shere said, “Rod put belly-laughing hilarity into
every day.” The Browns belong to both Adat Shalom
and Temple Israel.
Rod was very proud to be Jewish and his religion
was a big part of his life. He enjoyed
attending holiday and Shabbat services
with his family. He loved traditional
songs of prayer and took joy in the
rituals and holidays. He relished his
weekly visits with his Friday Boys, stu-
dents from the International School for
Chabad Leadership in Oak Park.
He was an avid golfer. A happy day
was spending hours with friends on a
beautiful golf course. Rod was especial-
ly proud of his hole-in-one two years
ago. He also enjoyed creating mezuzot
and wooden bowls on his lathe. And
he bowled with Pisgah Lodge of B’nai B’rith.
Vicki says her husband was passionate about
good food and loved to share it with friends and
family. “He wanted everyone to try everything,” she
said. “It was part of who he was. He had a way of
convincing you. Enjoying life was Rod’s passion.
He would come up with crazy ideas and games as a
way to create quality time with the people import-
ant to him. He fully enjoyed life and wanted every-
one to enjoy it with him.”
Rod also served on the boards of MSU Hillel and
the Myasthenia Gravis Association, where he had
also served as p resident. He regularly visited the
elderly in the Jewish community and participat-
ed with The Shirt Box in clothing collections and
events that raised funds for charitable organizations.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Vicki Brown;
children, Josh Murray, Bryan Brown, Samantha
Murray, Brittany Murray and her fiance, Aaron
Lawcock, Andrew Brown and Jason Brown; lov-
ing mother, Helen Brown; mother-in-law, Frances
White; siblings, Martin Brown and Mike, and
Steven and Julie Brown; brother-in-law and sister-
in-law, Mark and Michelle Soltz; three nieces, one
nephew, many cousins and a world of friends from
as far back as elementary school.
Rod was the devoted son of the late Fred Brown;
the dear son-in-law of the late Ronald White.
Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to MSU Hillel, Lester
and Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center, 360
Charles St., East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 332-
1916, msuhillel.org/donate; Magen David Adom,
P.O. Box 96402, Washington, DC 20090-6402,
(888) 674-4871, afmda.org; Myasthenia Gravis
Association, 1000 John R, Troy, MI 48083, (248)
591-4419, mgakc.org; or to a charity your choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ■

