Howard Alber

Howard Alber June 13, 1911-October 17, 2012 of Haverford, artist, educator, graphic designer, arts advocate and eternal optimist died at 101 firmly holding on to his beliefs. Mr. Alber was not only a witness to the last century, but also an active participant. He knew or met an impressive cross-section of a personalities from the twentieth century including, John Phillip Sousa, Salvador Dali, Norman Rockwell and Albert Barnes. A lover of life...and women, he married four times, with only one divorce. He never met an idea he didn't love, and he took an active role in furthering the careers of younger artists. His mind was an active workshop of ideas, projects, plans and dreams, and he freely shared his enthusiasm with friends and strangers equally. Born Howard Albert Rosenstein, he legally changed his name to Alber as a young man. A graduate of Northeast High School in 1929, he won a scholarship to the School of Industrial Art, now the University of the Arts, and graduated in 1933, and was one of the only graduates to obtain a job in the middle of the great depression. He served in World War II in the Marine Corps as an artist for the Eastern Headquarters. A graphic designer for more than 45 years with different firms, he was also the founding art director of Weightman Advertising, one of the first large advertising firms in Philadelphia. An activist and community organizer at heart, he was a founding member of the Artists Guild of Delaware Valley, served as an art advisor for the Graphic Arts Association and taught graphic design at three local commercial art schools. In the 1960's he opened Alber Galleries in downtown Philadelphia, which he ran for over 30 years. He was a long-term supporter and board member of Artists Equity and the Friends of Artists Equity and was the founder and main contributor to their Future Fund. His latest cause was working for world peace through the Non-Violent Peace Force organization. His last three wives, Estelle Feldman Alber, Elaine Nagler Alber, & Carolyn Fiedler Alber, preceded him in death as did his brothers George M. Rosenstein & Louis C. Rosenstein. He is survived by his grandsons Dr. Joel Perloff, David Perloff, Joshua Rich & Aaron Rich and step-daughters Jane Nagler Rich & Susan Nagler Perloff. His nieces and nephews include George M. Rosenstein, James A. Rosenstein, Ann Rosenstein Neuman & Joan E. Rosenstein. He is also survived by great nieces Judith Rosenstein Gladshtein, Beth Rosenstein Cole, Marni Neuman Pearce, Cheryl Neuman Meltzer & great nephew Grant K. Roberts as well as two great-great nephews & a great-great niece. His unofficial-adopted daughter, Saffra Milano and the many other family members, friends and artists whose lives he touched over the years also mourn his passing. Friends & family are invited to attend a celebration of his life & art on Saturday November 3, 2012. An exhibition of his work will be open from 3-7pm in the Carolyn & Howard Alber Gallery, Allens Lane Art Center, 601 West Allens Lane, Philadelphia with the reception from 5-7pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Non-Violent Peace Force, 425 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403.