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SIDNEY GELBER Obituary

GELBER--Sidney, 89, died in his sleep on the morning of November 13. Devoted father of Alexis, Stephen, and Valerie Gelber, father-in-law of Mark Whitaker, Susan Luciano, and Abraham Yacob, and adoring grandfather of Nadine and Regina Sobel, Rachel and Matthew Whitaker, and Rose Luciano, Sidney was predeceased in 2012 by his beloved wife of 64 years, Anita Gelber. Sidney was a brilliant and compassionate thinker, professor, and university administrator who dedicated his life to higher education. Born in New York, he attended DeWitt Clinton High School and Columbia College, and served in U.S Army counterintelligence during World War II. He received his B.A and Ph.D from Columbia University and joined the Philosophy Department faculty. Sidney was on the editorial committee that rewrote the source book for Columbia's famous Contemporary Civilization course, and he taught classes with Lionel Trilling and Fred Dupee. Sidney went on to help create and build the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and rose to become Academic Vice-President and Provost. In 2001 he published a book, "Politics and Public Higher Education in New York State: Stony Brook--A Case History," a definitive history of the university. He also shared his expertise with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, where he was on the Board of Governors and received an Honorary Doctorate and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Sidney possessed a rare combination of wisdom, humor, political insight, and managerial savvy. He was an accomplished pianist who performed in Carnegie Recital Hall with Anita and valued the two years that he was President of the Mannes College of Music while such great musicians as Murray Perahia, Richard Goode, and Frederica von Stade were students. His mind was sharp and his sense of humor intact until the end, and he was beloved by his children, grandchildren, former students, and colleagues. He is an irreplaceable force in his family's life. Funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 16 at 10am at Gutterman's Funeral Home, 8000 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Nov. 15 to Nov. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for SIDNEY GELBER

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6 Entries

Rosalyn

October 30, 2022

I loved him. And was a friend of his sister´s. Knew his mother Regina.

Jeanne Whitaker

November 16, 2014

I will be with you in spirit.

Jonathan Alter

November 16, 2014

What a wonderful and inspirational life and career.

November 15, 2014

May you be comforted at this difficult time by the most high GOD. Ps. 83:18.

A Close Friend

November 15, 2014

May the Hearer of prayer comfort and sustain your family to endure your loss. ( Psalms 65 : 2 ) My deepest condolences to your family.

November 15, 2014

Gelber family may your prayers be a comfort to you to endure this difficult time. As you draw closer to the God of all comfort may he sustain you as you mourn your loss. ( Psalms 55 : 22 ) My deepest condolences to your family.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Gutterman’s Funeral Directors - Woodbury Chapel

8000 Jericho Tpke, Woodbury, NY 11797

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