Melvin Weiner

Melvin M. Weiner, age 82, of Newton Centre, died on Friday, February 12, 2016. Devoted husband of the late Sandra (Roseman). Loving father of Robert J. Weiner & his wife Chana of Teaneck, NJ and the late Steven W. Weiner of Allentown, PA. Cherished grandfather of Sonia, Yosef, and Yaakov. Dear brother of Donald & his wife Jane of Terre Haute, IN. Mel was an accomplished electrical engineer, research scientist, and inventor, working primarily in the defense industry. During a prolific career that spanned nearly 50 years, he authored 3 books, 36 refereed papers and one book chapter in the fields of electromagnetics, physical electronics, optics, laser, communications and radar systems. He held five U.S. patents and was a retired Member of the Technical Staff of the MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA. He was also the founder-chairman of the Motor Vehicle Safety Group from 1969 to 1973, contributing to the establishment of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Mel was a native Bostonian whose parents owned a radio and television repair shop on Blue Hill Avenue in Roxbury. He graduated from Brookline High School in 1951 and received both his Masters and Bachelors degrees with honors from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1956. Mel moved to Newton in 1964 upon his marriage to Sandra and resided there for 52 years. Mel enjoyed community service. Among various leadership positions, he served the Boy Scouts of America as Cubmaster of Pack 219 during the 1970s, and Hebrew College as President of Parents League during the 1980s. He was also active in two Newton synagogues, first serving as a board member and committee chair at Congregation Beth El Atereth Israel and then becoming one the founders of Beth Menachem Chabad. Mel was passionately devoted to Judaic studies, especially self-directed research into the Torah (Five Books of Moses). He frequently gave formal and informal lectures on aspects of Jewish practice developed in opposition to ancient Egyptian practices. He relished sharing his novel insights with people of all ages and backgrounds. In addition, Mel maintained lifelong interests in physical fitness and music appreciation. Above all, Mel will be remembered by family and friends as someone who gave generously of his time to help others. Services, under the supervision of The Levine Chapels, Brookline, have been held. Donations to honor Mels life and memory may be made to The Dr. Steven W. Weiner Memorial Fund, c/o Congregation Sons of Israel, 2715 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104.