Herbert Semmel Obituary
Nationally-known civil rights/social justice advocate, died Feb. 5 at the Kenneth Norris Cancer Center, USC. Since 1993 he was staff attorney at the National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) in Los Angeles, where he directed the bi-coastal Federal Rights Project that develops legal strategies to limit recent court decisions curtailing individuals' ability to enforce their federal rights. He also had been litigation director of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, which pursues health, disability and housing cases for that city's poor; director of the Center for Law and Social Policy in Washington DC, one of the country's first public interest law firms; and professor at seven law schools, including the University of Illinois-Urbana, the University of Texas at Austin, and UCLA. An honors graduate of NYU and Harvard Law School, he authored numerous articles and books; pioneered the use of health, social welfare and poverty law in law school curricula; and filed the first case under the Americans with Disabilities Act - against the Empire State Building. He is survived by his wife, Louanne Kennedy, provost emeritus of Cal. State University-Northridge; two children from a prior marriage, Amy Semmel (Los Angeles) and Eric Semmel (Dedham, Maine); five stepchildren; thirteen grandchildren; his mother, Gertrude Semmel (Los Angeles); and a brother, Richard (Cary, Illinois). A memorial service was held on Sunday, February 8, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Donations should be made to NSCLC, designated: Herbert Semmel Federal Rights Project, 1101 14th St., Ste. 400, Washington DC 20005.
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6 Entries
Carl Jacobsen
March 8, 2004
Dear Louanne --
I was one of Herb's students at Antioch School of Law in the early '80s and was greatly inspired by his teaching and his brilliance. While Herb had moved away in pursuit of other challenges, he was always prominent in my memories of law school and the preparation for practice. My heartfelt condolences go out to you at this time of loss.
Leslie Gerwin
February 12, 2004
Dear Luanne and Family:
Herb was my teacher and my friend. I mourn his loss as I send you my deepest sympathies. Herb taught me how to learn, how to teach, how to inspire students, and how to conduct my professional life as an example and inspiration to others. Herb was/is among the few fond memories I have of Antioch. He was a challenging and compassionate teacher. He became and remained my friend. It was difficult to come to LA to visit my ailing mother, but I looked forward to lunch with Herb. Our friendship spanned over 30 years (including a visit by Herb to New Orleans) during which it was rewarding to see his achievements both professionally and personally. I will carry Herb's memory and inspiration with me always.
Again, my best to the entire Semmel/Kennedy family.
Richard Rubenstein
February 9, 2004
Dear Louann and family,
I'm deeply sorry to hear about Herb's death. My sympathy goes out to all of you. Herb and I became friends in Chicago in the stormy 70s, and I taught with him at Antioch School of Law in the early 80s. I admired him enormously, not only for his tenacious pursuit of social justice, but because of his remarkable ability to develop new ways to use his great skills. Plus, he knew how to laugh! He will be greatly missed.
Rich Rubenstein
Denise Wiktor
February 9, 2004
Dear Louann and family, you have my deepest sympathy. While I had lost touch with Herb in recent years, what I learned from him at Antioch was invaluable. I remember when he started dating you, how in love he was and how much he talked about you. That was true in the few times I saw him after you all had moved to LA.
Denise
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Clare Feinson
February 9, 2004
Dear Louanne,
I was so sorry to read about Herb's death. He gave me my start in health policy advocacy, by introducing me to Mark Kleiman and the Consumer Coalition for Health. Twenty-five years later, I'm still here in DC, plugging away at the good cause. Herb's impact on health care for the poor and underserved had an enormous impact, and he will be missed very much.
All my best,
Clare Feinson
Kelly Miller
February 7, 2004
Louanne and Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Herb touched my life so briefly but so deeply.
My best to you all,
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