G

erald W
. Camiener, 
Ph.D., 90, of Naples, 
Florida, originally 
of Detroit, passed away Dec. 
24, 2022, peacefully with his 
beloved wife, Beatrice, at his 
side. 
Jerry was born 
in Detroit on Aug. 
15, 1932, to Edith 
(Garfield) and 
Paul M Camiener. 
He attended the 
University of 
Michigan, trans-
ferring and gradu-
ating from Wayne 
University with hon-
ors. He was then admitted into 
the Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology’s first doctoral 
program in biochemistry and 
successfully earned his Ph.D. 
from M.I.T. 
From there, he and Bea 
moved to Kalamazoo, where 
Jerry worked for Upjohn in 
cancer research. While in 
Kalamazoo, he put his first 
entrepreneurial “oar on the 
water” by starting an enzyme 
manufacturing company. 
Subsequently, he took a role of 
division president with ICN 
and moved to Cleveland; he 
then traveled the world. 

In 1976, he started American 
Research Products Company 
and successfully grew the 
business into a Diagnostic Life 
Sciences Company. In 1993, 
he exited AMRESCO, only to 
“flunk retirement” and start 
CBG Biotech in 1996. 
Jerry was innovative 
and brilliant, with a 
drive to match, real-
izing many accolades 
along his business life 
journey.
Jerry was married 
to Bea for 69 years. 
They had a wonderful 
life together, starting 
modestly on a graduate stipend 
at M.I.T., raising a family, trav-
eling together and ultimately 
moving to Naples, to enjoy the 
Florida warmth for more than 
20 years together. 
Taking care of family and 
fostering those relationships 
was a commitment Jerry spent 
a lifetime building. He enjoyed 
family and fishing, often com-
bining the two. At one time, 
Jerry held the record in the 
state of Michigan for the largest 
Coho Salmon caught. 
Jerry and Bea took each of 
their grandchildren on a spe-
cial trip, ranging from England 

to Arizona. The family traveled 
together to Europe and Costa 
Rica, which fostered building 
bonds and wonderful memo-
ries.
Jerry was a complex and 
dynamic thinker with seeming-
ly limitless energy, yet ground-
ed and simple at his core. He 
always remembered his parents 
and the values they instilled. 
These values he carried with 
him throughout his life and 
were imparted into his family, 
a gift which will be carried 
forward by those he touched. 
On occasion, Jerry would 
adjust those values and say to 
his grandchildren, “Better to 
ask for forgiveness then ask for 
permission.
” His humor, good- 
natured tenacity and warmth 
will always be missed by those 
who loved him dearly.
Jerry’s motor was tuned 
to 100%. He was brought up 
to strive to achieve; this he 
accomplished. His legacy will 
be reflected and found in those 
he touched, the work ethic 
he taught, and the love and 
passion for competition he 
transmitted to his family and 
friends, personally and pro-
fessionally. As Jerry would say, 
“Life is for the living.
” His fam-

ily and friends will carry his 
memory and values forward in 
their lives. He will be missed.
Mr. Camiener is survived 
by his wife, Beatrice; children, 
David (Shelly) Camiener, 
Karen (Ray) Hopkins and 
Judith Camiener; grand-
children, Rachael Camiener 
(Matthew Byrne), Samuel 
Camiener (Tori Agnew), 
Abigail Camiener and 
Alexandra Hopkins, all of 
whom loved and looked up 
to their grandpa. Jerry is also 
survived by his brother, Alan 
M. (Denny) Camiener; Allan 
Breyer (the late Linda), his 
close brother-in-law; numerous 
nieces and nephews.
A private family graveside 
service was held. Contributions 
should be directed to Wayne 
State University, Dept. of 
Biological Sciences, P
.O. 
Box 674602, Detroit, MI 
48267-4602 (with reference 
to Gerald W Camiener) or 
online at giving.wayne.edu/
donate (reference Gerald W 
Camiener Biological Sciences 
in the “Other Notes Box” in 
loving memory of Gerald W 
Camiener). Arrangements by 
Kaufman Chapel. 

Innovative Scientist and Businessman

JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 61

Gerald Camiener

Jacob and the late Evelyn 
Lipsky. She was also prede-
ceased by her faithful canine 
companion, Raven. 
Interment was at Clover Hill 
Park Cemetery. Contributions 
may be made to National 
Kidney Foundation of 
Michigan, 1169 Oak Valley 
Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, 
nkfm.org/get-involved/giving; 
or Michigan Humane Society, 
30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 
220, Bingham Farms, MI 
48025, michiganhumane.org/
tributes. Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel.

SAUL WITENOFF, 
97, of West 
Bloomfield, died 
Dec. 22, 2022. 
A native of 
Montreal, Saul 
immigrated to the United 
States in 1949, bringing with 
him his wife, Rose, in search 
of opportunity for their family. 
Saul lived the remainder of 
his life in Metro Detroit and 
worked long hours, six days 
a week to provide his family 
with the great life they live 
today. 
It was his hard work that 

laid the foundation for his 
family’s success, and it was 
his loving character that they 
strive to mirror each day. Saul 
loved reading, discussing cur-
rent events and spending time 
with his family. He was known 
for his remarkable work ethic, 
his ability with numbers and 
his warm-heartedness. 
Mr. Witenoff is survived 
by his beloved wife for 74 
years, Rose Witenoff; son and 
daughter-in-law, Stephen and 
Patricia Witenoff; grandchild, 
Kevin (Katherine) Witenoff. 
He was the son of the late 

Morris Witenoff and the late 
Sophie Agranovich. 
Interment took place at 
Adat Shalom Memorial 
Park Cemetery in Livonia. 
Contributions may be made to 
the March of Dimes National 
Office. Arrangements by 
Dorfman Chapel.

CORRECTION
The obituary for Jack Gun 
(12-21-22) should have indi-
cated that he was a Holocaust 
survivor.

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