Herb Weiss

1929 - 2023

Herb Weiss
12/21/1929 - 07/26/2023
Dr. Herbert D. Weiss, PhD, born December 21, 1929, in New York, the youngest son of Camilla (Langer) and Herman Weiss, passed away on July 26, 2023, at the age of 93 years young (his expression) in Houston, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the loving husband of 69 years to Arlyne (Lisker) who survives him along with his son Morris Weiss (Lauren Ravkind) and grandchildren Sara, Ariana and Allyssa Weiss and Austen and Cameron Knowler. He was predeceased by his daughter Camilla Knowler. He was a loving father, grandfather, great friend and mentor to many.

He was an entrepreneur, having cofounded Balchem Corporation in 1967 in Slate Hill, New York and served as CEO for over 25 years before retiring to Houston in 1996. Balchem has continued to thrive under his two successors whom he praised regularly for their achievements.

He then became an assistant to the Dean of Sciences at Rice University in a position created for him to assist graduate students find internships. He had so much success in that role that it began to interfere with his golf game, and he helped pick his successor.

And that is a great example of the positive impact that Herb had on all of those that encountered him. He took great interest in others, in helping them fulfill their potential and was very proud of their accomplishments. He was a master networker because he enjoyed people and somehow managed to stay in contact with everyone. He led by example and drew upon many of his life experiences to impart wisdom to others.

Herb grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens and graduated from Stuyvesant HS in 1947, Queens College in 1951 (BS Chemistry), and The University of Texas in 1954 (PhD, Organic Chemistry, full scholarship). At UT in 1954, he met and married the love of his life, Arlyne (an undergrad), who was from South New Jersey. Herb liked to joke that he had to travel 1,500 miles to meet the girl next door! Because Arlyne was born on June 21, Herb also liked to joke that they proved that opposites attract. He proudly served in the Army during The Korean War. He was recently honored in Houston for his 70-year membership in The American Chemical Society.

Herb put himself through HS and College by playing the alto saxophone and leading his own band. One of his band members was Joe Venuto who went on to great success. Herb became close with Billy Eckstine and made a point of seeing him and other Jazz luminaries of that era at every opportunity. He remained active throughout his life and was an avid golfer who was very proud of his hole in one.

He had a seemingly endless number of expressions, quips and jokes for all occasions.

Herb somehow managed to find time for everyone including his family and many extended family members as well as colleagues, friends and so many others too numerous to mention.

He took particular pride in the accomplishments of his five grandchildren and proudly shared their successes with his friends.

Herb and Arlyne took each grandchild when they were growing up on their own trips, one at a time, to the destination of their choosing. These trips were a great source of joy and created many lasting memories.

He embraced new challenges and particularly enjoyed getting to meet and know all of the residents at The Tradition.

A graveside service will be held at 10 am on Sunday, July 30, at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet Street, Houston.

Donations in Herb's memory may be made to the scholarship fund of your choice at The University of Texas https://give.utexas.edu/