B
ernard Alpern, 59, of Ann
Arbor, died after sunset June
23, 2022.
This dad, husband, brother, son
and loyal Wolverine, died peacefully
surrounded by family after a brief and
intense battle with cancer.
BJ lived a life full of adventure,
pursuing those things that ignited
passion in him; but his very most
treasured role was
that of being a dad.
He met Pyper in 1999
and became a dad to
her daughter, Hannah,
when they married
in 2003. Their fam-
ily expanded with
Samuel, Margaret and
Charlotte. BJ took great
pride in each of their
accomplishments, from
first steps to college
admissions.
BJ’s favorite times were spent driv-
ing the kids to practices or games,
where you could find him serving
as a coach, timekeeper, streaming
commentator or enthusiastic, loving
sports dad. He loved each of his kids
“all the way to the moon and back”
and was devastated when it became
clear he wouldn’t have more time
with them.
BJ was born in Detroit and raised
in Oak Park and West Bloomfield. He
attended the University of Michigan,
where he was a member of Alpha
Delta Phi fraternity and the crew
team. After graduating, his adven-
tures took him to jobs, including at
CNN in its infancy, PASS Sports, Ross
Roy and a round-the-world cruise on
the QE2.
During those years, he also pursued
interests ranging from community
theater to manning bobsleds at the
U.S. training facility in Lake Placid.
His love for politics led him to
work on many campaigns across both
sides of the aisle and eventually back
to his beloved University of Michigan,
where he received a master’s degree
in public policy and worked as the
university’s lobbyist to the state leg-
islature. After several years in that
role, he and some friends started a
property company, and he left his job
at the university to join them in their
venture, which gave him the flexibility
to spend more time with his family.
BJ loved University of Michigan
sports and was always happy
to invite his friends and
their kids along to a game.
He believed strongly in the
works of Bruce Springsteen
and that real cars don’t shift
themselves. He was outgoing
and made friends wherever
he went, communicating
with them about their fami-
lies, sports, politics or current
events. His friends were
numerous and he felt very
close to all of them, keeping up with
what was going on in their lives, even
if from afar.
BJ is survived by his wife of nearly
19 years, Pyper; his children, Hannah,
Samuel, Margaret and Charlotte; his
mother, Barbara Alpern; his sister,
Elizabeth Alpern (Michael Berkwits);
and brother, Marc Alpern; in-laws,
Sue Logan and Dennis (Sheila)
Logan; sister-in-law, Whitney (Eric)
Hettinga; four nieces whom he
adored, Ava and Talia Berkwits, and
Kaitlin and Audrey Hettinga; many
aunts, uncles, cousins and close
friends.
He was preceded in death by his
father, Irwin Alpern.
You can honor BJ’s memory by
spending meaningful time with your
family or by cheering wildly for the
Wolverines in his honor at the Big
House or at the venerable Yost Ice
Arena.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
A Loving Family Man
JULY 7 • 2022 | 61
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Bernard Alpern
Jewish holiday meals would host upwards
of 45 guests — singing, learning and grow-
ing in spiritual camaraderie.
For more than 40 years, she devotedly
taught children with much love and creativ-
ity at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, Mishkan Israel
Lubavitch, Yeshivas Darchei Torah and in
homebound tutoring throughout Oakland
County. Her last job before retirement
was as personal assistant to the late Emma
Lazaroff Schaver. Shirley will remain in our
hearts, forever an exemplar of unlimited
kindness, buoyant spirit and joyful faith in
God.
Mrs. Zimberg is survived by her sons and
daughters-in-law, Marvin and Madeline
Zimberg of Royal Oak, Jerry and Susie
Zimberg, Avraham Robert Zimberg, Lenny
and Shani Zimberg; daughters and sons-in-
law, Sarah and Eliezer Lachman of Olney,
Md., Dena and Nechemya Finkelstein;
many loving grandchildren, great-grand-
children, other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Zimberg was the beloved wife for
64 years of the late Dovid Simcha “Donald”
Zimberg; loving mother of the late Steven
Zimberg; cherished daughter of the late
Bracha “Bertha” (nee Rappoport) and the
late Moshe Zelig “Morris” Mishcovsky;
devoted younger sister of the late Chana
“Sylvia Anne.”
Contributions may be made to Detroit
Chesed Project, 30555 Southfield Road,
#520, Southfield, MI 48076; Darchei Torah
Schools, 21550 W. 12 Mile Road, Southfield,
MI 48076; Baltimore Community Kollel,
3800 Labyrinth Road, Baltimore, MD
21215. A funeral service took place at
Hebrew Memorial Chapel. Interment was
held at Beth Tefilo Emanuel Cemetery
in Ferndale. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.