William Hirschman

HIRSCHMAN, William, 85, of Richmond, passed away January 6, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grand-father, brother, and uncle. Bill was born June 15, 1924 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He volunteered for Coast Guard service during WWII, and served in the Pacific Theater as a Pharmacist's Mate (medic). His experience helping servicemen inspired him to pursue studies in psychology, and he ultimately earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Columbia University in 1953. He spent his career with the Veterans Administration counseling veterans and serving as Chief of the Psychology Service at the VA Medical Centers in Chillicothe, Ohio and Richmond, Va. Bill married the love of his life, Rita, in 1950, and they lived happily together until her death in 2001. Life took him from New York to New Jersey to Ohio to Virginia, and finally back again to Ohio to live near his loving daughter, Laura. Bill loved music, and with his trumpet, led his own swing band when he was young. He adored animals, and would always break into a huge smile when he encountered a dog, cat or a bird. He also loved science fiction and slide rules, calculators and cameras. He was very fond of the community at Congregation Or Ami in Richmond, and served for several years as President there. Bill is survived by his children, Clifford, Laura, and Suzanne; and by his grandchildren, Marc, Benjamin, and Dylan. His gentle kindness and impish sense of humor will stay with us always. A memorial service will be held at Congregation Or Ami at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2010. Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Family Services. Arrangements with Bliley's - Central.



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.