B
roadcast industry
legend Julian “Jerry”
Liebman, aka Specs
Howard, was an innovative
entrepreneur, a generous men-
tor and, above all, the beloved
patriarch of a large and loving
family. Jerry, who was 96, died
Sept. 3, 2022, in his Southfield
home, with his cherished wife
of 68 years, Ceil, at his side.
Jerry Liebman was born
in 1926 in Kittanning,
Pennsylvania, a small town
outside Pittsburgh. After con-
tracting polio in a local pool at
age 8, doctors told his parents
he would never walk again.
Refusing to accept the dire
prediction, his father bought
him a bicycle to restore his leg
strength. Not only did Jerry
regain his ability to walk, he
also acquired the resiliency,
optimism and determination
that fueled his remarkable life.
He attended Allegheny
College, where he worked at
the student radio station and
discovered his calling. As a DJ
in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Jerry
met his lifelong partner and
best friend, Celia. They shared
a 68-year marriage filled with
mutual love, devotion and
respect, raising four children
in a home based on Jewish
values and traditions.
“They were my inspiration
for a loving relationship, the
way he looked at her…,” said
Kim Schon, the couple’s oldest
grandchild.
Jerry Liebman became
“Specs Howard” while work-
ing as a DJ at a Cleveland
rock-and-roll station. When
management decided he need-
ed a trendier name, his trade-
mark glasses made “Specs” a
natural choice. Howard was
chosen after a random perusal
of the local phone book, and
the name remained a perma-
nent part of his professional
persona.
In the midst of a successful
run as a popular disc jockey
in Cleveland, Jerry accept-
ed an offer from WXYZ in
Detroit and the family moved
to Southfield. When the job
ended due to changes in the
radio business, Jerry decided
to take a chance on a new
venture rather than uproot the
family again.
In 1970, he opened the
school that later became
the Specs Howard School of
Media Arts. While his official
mission was to teach the skills
required for a career in broad-
cast arts, Jerry’s true passion
was helping people achieve
their potential, to reach goals
they never imagined they
could. His door was always
open to students and employ-
ees who frequently sought the
wise counsel he so generously
dispensed.
He designed a curriculum
based on his firsthand knowl-
edge of the skills radio stations
needed new employees to
have. Using his contacts in
the business, he developed
the first program to place stu-
dents in jobs after graduation.
Many successful radio and TV
personalities in Metro Detroit
and across the country learned
their trade at Specs Howard.
Five decades and 16,000
students later, the school
became part of Lawrence
Technological University
under the name Specs@LTU.
“Jerry was a rock star…. He
touched and inspired so many
people,” said Rabbi Herschel
Finman, a longtime friend
who officiated the funeral
service.
Of all his remarkable
achievements, Jerry was
proudest of his family. His
desk was covered with family
photos and coming home for
dinner was a priority despite
his demanding career. He
enjoyed special relationships
with each of his children as
well as his 13 grandchildren
and 14 great-grandchildren.
“Growing up, he knew all of
my friends and, later, he got to
know my children’s friends,”
said his daughter, Shelli
Liebman Dorfman. “
And he
adored his grandchildren
— they could get away with
anything.”
He was an avid reader of
newspapers and a variety of
nonfiction books, accumu-
lating an impressive store of
knowledge on history, politics
and numerous other subjects.
The New York Times cross-
word puzzle was part of his
daily routine until his final
days.
Religion was very import-
ant to Jerry and Celia, whose
father was a rabbi, and
Judaism was an essential part
of their household. While
walking to services with
his son, Jon, he befriend-
ed the late Rabbi Shaiall
Zachariash, which led Jerry to
become a founding member
of Congregation Shomrey
Emunah, where he remained
an active participant.
“My dad always instilled
how important it is to smile,
stay positive and enjoy life,”
said Alisa Zee, his daughter.
Jerry Liebman is survived
by his wife, Ceil Liebman;
children, Shelli (Dr. Michael)
Dorfman, Martin (Judy)
Liebman, Jonathan (Mindy)
Liebman, Alisa Z. Liebman;
grandchildren, Kimberly
Schon, Richard (Dr. Penina)
Dorfman, Stephanie (Avi)
Beneson, Noah Liebman,
Rabbi Miriam Liebman
(Akiva Fishman), Tara
Zdrojewski, Rana (Ty) Austin,
Zoe Zdrojewski, Emma Claire
Zdrojewski, Josh (Franny)
Liebman, Rebecca (Phil) Janis,
Emily Liebman and Adam
Liebman; great-grandchildren,
Shira Schon, Ari Schon, Jake
Schon, Eitan Schon, Zevi
Beneson, Rachel Beneson,
Akiva Beneson, Elisheva
Beneson, Noam Dorfman,
Nathan Dorfman, Amalia
Rose Fishman, Riley Janis,
Avery Janis, Jacob Liebman.
He is also fondly remembered
by Bryan Schon, Dr. Sammi
Siegel, Lester Sloan, Randy
Zdrojewski and many other
loving relatives and friends.
He was the loving grand-
father of the late Alexandra
Zdrojewski.
Interment was at Nusach
Hari Cemetery in Ferndale.
Contributions in honor of
Jerry Liebman may be made
to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.
Radio and Broadcasting Icon
Specs Howard Dies
RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
SEPTEMBER 15 • 2022 | 55