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

OBITUARY CHARGES

The processing fee for obituaries is: $125 for up to 
100 words; $1 per word thereafter. A photo counts 
as 15 words. There is no charge for a Holocaust 
survivor icon.
The JN reserves the right to edit wording to 
conform to its style considerations. For information, 
have your funeral director call the JN or you may call 
Sy Manello, editorial assistant, at (248) 351-5147 or 
email him at smanello@thejewishnews.com.

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.
 

