STUART HALPERIN, Ed.D 1930-2014 Stuart was born in London, England, the son of Frank and Yetta Halperin. His mother died when he was five years old and his father when Stuart was nine, followed by his beloved brother Ronald being killed when his Royal Air Force plane was shot down over Germany in WWII. With all that sorrow, he was determined to be a success, and came to America in 1947 knowing there were opportunities. He worked in factories and eateries to save money for passage on a ship to South Africa to meet his mother's sister, but instead met a young lady, Joan Ross in Los Angeles and they fell in love and were married in 1950. Stuart received his Bachelor's Degree from UCLA in 1953, while working as a taxi driver at night. Stuart became a Choral Director, as well as teaching additional music subjects, while continuing on to earn his Master's Degree from Claremont College and at the age of 52, earned his Doctorates degree. Stuart was one of 3 couples who founded the first synagogue, Temple Beth Shalom, in Corona, CA, an exciting and inspiring task. He was also a lay Cantor for 30 years. Many of Stuart's former students continued to keep in touch throughout the decades. To quote a former student, "Stuart was a miracle worker who demanded discipline and respect". In return his choirs' performances were outstanding and festivious. Quoting another student, "the world is a more melodic place for you having been in it. You taught us about other cultures, architecture, and more through music". My darling husband, you are so badly missed. Sixty three years together of shared interests and a life of excitement. Your life was a miracle, affecting the lives of thousands; you left the world a better place. Honoring the life of someone very special, who will always be remembered with love. AN APPRECIATION By Branton Lachman My name is Branton Lachman and I have the singular honor to write about a singular man . . . Dr. Stuart Halperin . . . lover of truth, beauty, of Joan Halperin, seeker after knowledge, explorer, raconteur, philosopher, musician, strong man of his faith and . . . teacher . . . of thousands . . . including me. There are many who could speak about all Stuart was to them and who he was in this world. I'm sure many reading this will have shared experiences with me. I am so privileged that his beloved wife, Joan, asked me to give this appreciation on your behalf. Three men in my life have shaped me into the man that I am: Richard Lachman, my father; Rev. Allen Newman, my pastor for 19 years, and Dr. Stuart Halperin, my teacher, mentor . . . and friend. I did not want to sing. I only wanted to play the piano for the choirs and meet pretty girls. He would have none of that. I joined anyway and was quite literally blown away with the world he opened up for me. Before I met Stuart I had never thought about beauty or the passionate pursuit of creating, celebrating and sharing it in music, friendship and inspiring others to seek a higher order of living a cultured and enriched life. He accepted a pretty raw teenager and was patient and kind, leading by knowledge and example and became a lifelong mentor to me. I know he was the same to many of you. In partnership with Joan, who was and is a "choir mother" to so many of us, he showed me how to be kind and gracious to others and to be patient with others and myself. Many of you reading this who were in Madrigals will remember the annual dinners at their home. That was my first experience with non-relative adults who wanted to graciously welcome me into their home and hearts. But, it was not all just high and lofty ideals with Stuart. He had a sense of the divine comedy, as does Joan. Stuart was a great adventurer . . . in the mind as well as in the world. He went to Antarctica . . . twice! He and Joan were world travelers, always seeking new growth and cultural experiences. He was also an explorer of the mind and one of the most widely read people I knew. When I graduated from high school he gave me a copy of Jacob Bronowski's The Ascent of Man. This was the first time I probably ever voluntarily read a non-fiction book and ever since I have tried to do what Professor Bronowski did, and which Stuart encouraged, which is to seek connections between people and times and how those contribute to the growth of culture and civilization. Stuart changed my life's entire direction. When I was an undergrad pre-med major he and Joan invited me to a choir concert at California State University, Fullerton. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I had, not least because of their gracious outreach to me. Because of that and my relationship with the Halperins I became a music major and teacher. But again it almost didn't happen. I was one unit away from my degree (a trumpet class), but had decided instead to go to USC for a doctorate in pharmacy. My dad and I went to a Corona community concert at the Civic Center and heard the St. Olaf choir. Again, because of Stuart's influence on me I was so moved by the beauty of that concert that I turned to my dad and said, "I need to put USC off for a year." And, I did. Stuart was a great man and a great soul. He changed thousands of lives in a way that very few every get the opportunity to do . . . or have the love, mindfulness, patience and talent to do. We miss him now . . . and we will miss him more as time goes by. He was a one-of-a-kind. . . unique, and his like will not come again. Joan, I have something to write to you. You grieve for Stuart and you miss him so much . . . and you will continue to do so. But, what a gift you gave him. You were his companion for life and he had you to the very end of his life. I know he would just as much have wished you could have had him to the end of your life. But, it can only be one way. So, what a gift you were able to give to Stuart in that he was spared the loss of you and you were able to gently care and love him to the end of his journey on this earth. I have just one of those three mentoring men left in my life . . . my father . . . and I am grateful every day for him . . . as I am for my time with Stuart. He shaped me and his life continues to shape me.
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Published in Press-Enterprise on Mar. 16, 2014
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