Ernest R. Stiefel

Ernest R. STIEFEL Ernest R. Stiefel passed away peacefully on October 18, 2010, surrounded by his family. He was born on June 17, 1921 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He considered it a miracle that he was able to escape Germany in July 1940 by way of Russia, Manchuria, Korea and Japan, arriving in Seattle with the first group to take the eastern route on August 3, 1940. Penniless, he was greeted and assisted by the Seattle Jewish community, a debt he spent his life repaying through community service. He served in the US Army/Air Force from 1943 to 1946, returning to Europe during the war as an intelligence officer. He returned to Seattle and graduated in 1949 from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He passed the CPA examination in May 1949 with the highest score in the state and then practiced public accounting until his retirement in 1986. A highly intelligent and passionate accountant and business advisor, he had a strong and loyal client following. He devoted himself as a leader in the Jewish and greater Seattle community. He was a founder of Congregation Beth Shalom and Congregation Ner Tamid. He served as president of Congregation Beth Shalom, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Hillel at the University of Washington and the Jewish Education Council, treasurer of the Puget Sound Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and on the boards of numerous other organizations, including United Way of King County, the Washington State Jewish Historical Society and Music of Remembrance. He was the financial conscience of many organizations. He was passionate about Jewish education and Jewish continuity. He was gifted with an exceptional memory for detail, and enjoyed researching family genealogy and German Jewish history. He was devoted to his loving family. Ernie is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Doris J. Stiefel, and his children, David (Joy), Mark (Sheryl), Sharon (Davida Alperin), and his grandchildren, Elana, Jason, Miriam, Nathan, Michael and Emi. He was a role model to all of them and his presence will be sorely missed. Funeral services were held on Wednesday October 20, 2010 at Congregation Beth Shalom. Ernie's wishes were that donations be sent to The Ernest R. Stiefel Graduate Scholarship Fund of Phi Beta Kappa, c/o Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa, PO Box 15258, Seattle, WA 98105; Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115; or The Washington State Jewish Historical Society, 2031 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121. The family expresses its appreciation to Alex Sytman, MD for providing 15 years of compassionate medical care. May his memory be for a blessing.