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

