Ernst Liebman Obituary

Ernst Liebman of Northampton, MA, formerly of Chevy Chase, MD, died at home on November 17, 2020 in the company of his family. Ernie was born April 3, 1931 to Edith (nee Katz) and Charles Liebman in Chicago and was raised there and in the Chicago suburbs. While a law student at Harvard University, he met Radcliffe undergraduate Roberta Nerden, with whom he spent the rest of his life.

Following law school, Ernie returned to Chicago to practice law. His work included representing multiple clients in civil liberties suits involving abuse by the police and courts, including Monroe v. Pape, argued before the US Supreme Court, which established the right to sue state officers who violated individuals' constitutional rights. In the early 1960s, Ernie moved to the Washington, D.C. area where he spent the rest of his professional life as a federal attorney, ending his career as an administrative law judge at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In 2016, he and Roberta moved to Northampton, MA to be with their son Jonathan and his family, where he remained until his death.

Ernie loved music and played piano from the age of four until his mid-80s. While he only rarely performed for others, he was a master of American jazz standards, ragtime, and the classical solo literature. His plan for retirement was to learn to play Bach's Goldberg Variations. Had not disability forced him to stop playing, he would undoubtedly have been at the keyboard until his final days. Ernie and Bert shared many interests, including a love for books, canoeing and the natural world. They spent many, many summers at Rangeley Lake, ME.

Ernie is survived by his wife Roberta Liebman of Northampton, MA; , his son Matthew and daughter-in- law Laura Merrick of Ames, IA; his son Jonathan and daughter-in -law Anne Fine of Northampton, MA; his grandchildren Alexander, Chan, Michael, Eli and Marika; and his sister Eleanor Johnson of Washington, D.C. His son James died in 2010. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Northampton Survival Center.

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Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Nov. 23, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Ernst Liebman

3 Entries

Iris Reichert

February 22, 2021

Mrs. Liebman, I left you a much too long message, and didn't get to fill in my name, etc., but I wanted to tell you how great it was for the babies to have Bert and Ernie across the street! And I was honored when you told me to call you Bert. It wasn't formality that kept me from it, I had great respect for you both. I'll never forget the month after mama died, and you invited me to walk to Trader Joe's with you. I doubted I could make it, but you said for me to turn around whenever I needed to. Well, I made it all the way, and I was thrilled. Then a light bulb came on, and I realized I had to walk all the way back, too! And the day mama was to go out for a walk (with me), which we hadn't done in ages, and you came by and asked if we were out for a hike!! It snowed yesterday, and I didn't know about Mr. Liebman until now, and I thought about when you'd be gone in the winter, and I'd walk up and down your walk so it would look like someone was there. And when I could drive, I'd drive in and out of your driveway for the same reason. And didn't we have a time with the mail! Them putting it on top of the "Hold" note! And I have your brown Radcliff cup (mug) right here in my room where it's been forever. And you'd often leave me flowers. I'm so glad you have the kids there. I do hope you can find my original message, this is Part 2!
It says a lot of good things, and I don't know why/how it disappeared! I think I got in my first and last name.
I will pray to and for Mr. Liebman, and of course continue to pray for you as always. (By the way. This says about Facebook, but I don't know how to do that. This is just a 'phone I was given). Mr. Liebman sure loved to be on his computer! I could see the light on in the front room; or I could hear him playing the piano. If I could make it through mama, after 5-1/2 years 24/7, I know you'll be sad, but you'll be OK. My brother by the way, and wife moved to South Carolina. All 3 of my girls went south first, 2 in North Carolina, 1 in Atlanta. All 3 are happily married with 2 kids each. One has 2 girls, one has 2 boys, and one has one of each. I've never seen any of them, covid means I haven't made a dime since March. Again, you are so lucky to have your kids there, and they are VERY lucky to have you, and to have had Mr. Liebman. As was I. I hope if you ever come here again, you'll call and we'll visit. Maybe the Olympia Cafe! I'll be in this house forever, no money at all, so I could never visit you, but I'd love to see you. Again, all the love in the world. And thank you for loving across the street. I'm so much the better for having known Bert and Ernie.
Note: my computer died many years ago, but I'm literally always here, you can call or text 24/7. (Sorry no emojis, they charge for them. Booooo)

David J. Bardin

November 25, 2020

Deepest condolences to Bert. May Ernie’s memory be a blessing, and may you have good memories of him all the rest of your life. Faithfully, David J. Bardin

Candace and Gary Drimmer

November 24, 2020

Bert and family, Ernie will be missed here in Northampton. We hit the YMCA together a couple of times and always said hello at concerts. Always had a smile and a warm greeting.
Candace and Gary Drimmer

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