Samuel Langerman

Langerman, Samuel
August 29, 1918 - January 1, 2010. Samuel Langerman died just after sundown on Friday, January 1, 2010 at the age of 91, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 29, 1918 in Akron, Ohio, Sam was the seventh of eight children of Russian immigrants Abraham Langerman, a tailor, and his wife Grace. Life became difficult with the death of his father when Sam was only eleven years old. While working as many as three jobs to fund his college and law school education, Sam distinguished himself by graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 1942 and being elected to the Order of the Coif, a prestigious law society. Sam served his country as a JAG attorney during World War II, rising to the rank of Major. After completing his service, Sam and an army pal moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Three years later, while speaking in Texas, Sam met Pearl Lieberman. It must have been love at first sight between Sam and Pearl because they became engaged a mere three days later. In 1949, Sam and Pearl settled nicely into their desert life, raising five of six wonderful children to adulthood. Knowing first hand the troubles that can beset a family that loses it breadwinner, Sam became an impassioned advocate for the wronged and the injured as a plaintiff's champion in medical malpractice, consumer liability and wrongful death cases. Sam rose to national prominence as a lawyer and was elected president of the American Trial Lawyers Association and then founded the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association and served as its first president. Throughout his legal career Sam was involved in serving the bar, working on numerous local and national committees, lecturing across the country, and mentoring many young lawyers, including two of his children, Amy and Richard. Sam and Pearl were also active philanthropists in Phoenix's growing Jewish community. Together, Sam and Pearl helped build a new Jewish Community Center and also helped to fund a new clinic for Phoenix's Planned Parenthood, which continues to serve the community to this day. Sadness struck when Pearl became critically ill and died in 1979, after 30 years of marriage. Sam considered himself twice-blessed when "Cupid", this time in the guise of his buddy Henry, arranged for Sam to meet the warm and vivacious Shirley Gladstein. Each having already raised a lovely family, Sam and Shirley decided to share the next stage of their lives by marrying in 1981. "First you learn, then you earn, then you serve." Sam and Shirley shared a life of service to the Phoenix community including establishing the City of Hope research fellowship and by raising record-breaking funds through the sale of Israeli bonds at an honorary dinner in 1986. Shirley brought many new friends into Sam's life when they began to spend their summers in La Jolla, California. Sam is fondly remembered as an inspiring mentor to young lawyers, a generous supporter of worthy persons and causes, and a loving husband, father, step-father and granddad. Admired by legal colleagues and beloved by friends and family, Sam will be missed and his life celebrated for years to come. Sam Langerman is survived by his wife Shirley and her loving family, Nancy Resnick (and her husband David), Laura Gladstein, and Harlan Gladstein(and his wife Susan), his five adult children, Andrew (and his wife Michelle), Robert, Richard, Amy and Julie (and her husband Dan), his sister Betty Piccus, his twelve grandchildren, and by many other relatives and friends to whom Sam remained close his entire life. Sam will be laid to rest at the Beth Israel Cemetery. Funeral services will be Monday, January 4th at 10:30 A.M. at Sinai Mortuary (4538 N. 16th St. Phoenix, Az.) and all are welcome. For further information call 602-266-8174. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the home of Shirley Langerman (3114 E. San Juan, Phoenix Az.) after the funeral. Donations in lieu of gifts should be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste. 201 Scottsdale, Az. 85254 or www.jewishphoenix.org."-