Ronald Weinstein

June 4, 1945 - October 4, 2014 Ron's family and friends mourn the loss of a gentle, kind man whose love of life and learning was extinguished following a four-month-long battle with cancer. Born in Vanyan, Poland to Joseph and Riva Weinstein, the infant "Rubin" fled in their care with his brother and sister to a displaced persons camp outside of Munich to escape Russian servitude. The Weinsteins had already survived Nazi persecution by hiding in a Polish forest. In 1949 an uncle in America sponsored their entry into the U.S., and they established themselves in Trenton, N.J. Rubin gave up Yiddish for English and successfully assimilated, finishing Trenton High School at the age of 16. He majored in history at nearby Princeton University where he graduated cum laude in 1966. "My roommates were Robert juniors and Henry the 3rds, and I didn't even have a middle name," he would laugh. But his sense of self never faltered. He achieved a degree from Yale Law School in 1969 and employed the new skill helping indigents who came to an Ann Arbor, Michigan legal aid clinic where Ron had been sent by VISTA. Moving west to be near his sister Ruth and her family in Aguora, he passed the California bar. His reputation as a skillful transactional attorney grew as he represented lenders and borrowers in real estate financing matters. These included the complex financing of the Hollywood-Highland project which was constructed following the approval of over 60 zoning variances. Ron worked until the day he began treatment for melanoma and underwent extraordinary care under the guidance of University of Southern California doctors Michael Wong and Gabriel Zada. He is survived by Diane Kanner, his wife of 18 years. Four stepsons survive him: Joshua (Angela) Kanner, Matthew Kanner, David (Phanjira) Zeiden, Brian Zeiden. Four grandsons survive him: Daniel and David Kanner and Samuel and Jonah Zeiden. His brother Aaron Weinstein also mourns his premature passing. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 at 1st Congregational Church of Los Angeles, 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., LA 90020. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1441 Eastlake Ave., Suite 8302, LA 90089.