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WILLIAM KATZ Obituary
William B. Katz, age 94; beloved husband for over 70 years of the late Ruthie Metzger Katz; dear father of Ellen Katz (Dave) Block and Stanley Katz and, of course, Tania Lebelson Pinto of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; loving grandfather of Joshua (Allison) Mora, Aaron (Nicole) Block, Benji Block and Emily Block; proud great-grandfather of Charlotte Mora, Julianne Mora and Brody Block. Patriarch of the Katz family. Bill's devotion to his dear Ruthie in their 70 year marriage has been a most positive and legendary model to all who have known them, as has their exemplary active service to their community. Educated as a chemical engineer at the University of Illinois and M.I.T. Bill combined his technical expertise with his deep love of nature to foster a career in oil-spill and hazardous-material cleanup followed by a second career teaching Environmental Science at Roosevelt University and Oakton Community College. Bill was truly a Renaissance man with an unceasing intellectual curiosity about nearly everything. He was a consummate and caring teacher, not only with his students but with his family and friends as well. Bill loved his family's summer home in Eagle River, WI. He relished a cerebral challenge, solving puzzles and playing bridge. He was a sweet, caring, highly principled and utterly genuine person. Services will be held on Monday, June 6, 2011 at 11 a.m. at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe, IL 60022. Interment at Shalom Memorial Park, Arlington Heights, IL. Donations to the Ruthie and Bill Katz Archives Fund, North Shore Congregation Israel. For information contact Piser Funeral Service 847-679-4740. 
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Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM KATZ
Robert Foster
August 20, 2011
Dear Katz Family,
I am sorry for your loss. Bill was my teacher for Environmental Science at Oakton Community College during the Fall of 2009. He was a caring teacher and shared his love for the classics. As a new career-changing Science teacher myself, I was inspired by Bill and admired the life-perspective he brought to class. This fall I start with my first high school class and will be thinking of Bill.
Sheila Keeshin
July 6, 2011
Dear Ellen....I Just read in the JUF News that your Dad had passed away in early June...I was out-of-town at that time. Your parents were an exceptional couple and I enjoyed my relationship with your MOM through Brandeis and with both of them we had Eagle River in common.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Take care...Sheila Keeshin
Don Packard
July 2, 2011
Even though we were members of the same Temple, I really didn't get to know Bill very well until we were colleagues at Roosevelt University. We taught classes on the same evening and we had many pleasant conversations before our classes started. Bill was a great guy and friendly to everyone. I can only verify that everything positive that has been said about Bill is absolutely correct. I'm sorry that I heard about his passing too late to attend his funeral. He will be missed.
Don Packard
June 7, 2011
Dear Katz Family, I remember Bill Katz as someone who always had something interesting to say. He and my father, Martin Mainzer, seemed to embrace a time and way of life that I am sad to see disappear. He and my Dad loved to learn and I loved to listen to their discussions. My thoughts are with you. May his memory be a blessing. Sharon Mainzer Koenig
Jennifer Meadows
June 6, 2011
Ellen, Stan, Dave and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Cousin Bill's passing! We all have so many many fond memories of visiting with him and your mom over the summers growing up and later my children getting to know them!! My thoughts are prayers are with you all!!
-Jen, Matthew, Meghann, Samantha and Jeremiah
June 6, 2011
Dear Ellen,
We are so sorry for your loss. You had two extraordinary parents to whom you were a wonderful daughter. Keep the best memories in your heart to keep your parents close to you always. Our sympathy to your children who had the opportunity to know your Dad and be inspired by his example. Also please extend our sympathy to your brother.
Beth & David
Rhonda Marin
June 5, 2011
To all of Bill's family, I send you my most sincere and heartfelt condolences. As you know Bill and I had become good friends in the past ten years as well as business partners. I loved his company which was filled with many great conversations. Bill was an amazing man and I will miss him very much. My thoughts are with Ellen and Stan and all his family at this time. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Rhonda Marin and George Gavalis
June 5, 2011
Dear Stan,
Extending my heartfelt condolences to you and your sister during this most difficult time.
Fondly,
Judy Isenberg
Beth Shadur
June 5, 2011
We send our sincere condolences, and are saddened to hear of the news of Bill's passing. Bill was truly a Renaissance man, and we always enjoyed our conversations with him. He will be missed by so many. With sympathy, our thoughts are with your family, Beth Shadur and Bruce Mainzer
Stuart Cohen
June 5, 2011
I loved your dad. He was a wonderful gentleman with a great sense of history. Down to eath and without pretense, thoroughly knowledgable about history and genealogy (an interest we shared), yet forward thinking, interested in everything, and even visionary. I knew him since 1977 when I first became involved at North Shore Congregation Israel. I was thrilled when I learned he was a cousin of my best childhood friend Bruce Mainzer and that his father and uncle were instrumental in bringing the Mainzer family to the US in the 1930s. And then I learned he was related to some of my relatives and friends and I felt as if he were related to me. I will truly miss him. My thoughts are with you at this sad time. May the wonderful memories you have of him and a life well led provide you with comfort at this difficult time. My wife Rolly joins me in offering you our condolences. May his memory be a blessing. Most sincerely, Stuart L. Cohen
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