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Ada Brotman Obituary
BROTMAN, Ada
Age 84, died on August 18, 2009. The world is a poorer place. Ada moved to Sacramento in the 1950s where her husband Dr. Theodore Brifman was serving as an army physician during the Korean War. They became an integral part of the Jewish community.
An advocate of advancement through education, Ada founded one of the first parent participation nursery schools which served as a model for others throughout the country.
In her 30s, while raising four children, Ada earned her B.A. degree from Sacramento State, and her Masters from UCD, both in English Literature. Ada taught English and Humanities for 35 years at American River College, and was truly happy only when teaching. She became a nationally recognized expert on Asian art and literature, and developed seminal courses in Asian humanities. In the mid 1990s, the government of China invited her to tour the country as its guest.
When trade with the China became one of the mainstays of the American economy, Ada was invited to give seminars by the many companies that were opening businesses in China in order to teach their sales and technical people the local customs and culture.
Later in life Ada married Dr. Jordan Brotman, a published novelist, screenwriter, and English professor at Sacramento State. Together they worked, traveled and enjoyed life. Ada loved to entertain. Her Sunday brunches were legendary. Attended by the elite of the political, professional and educational circles, the issues of the day were debated at over bagels and lox, OJ, and Champagne.
Ada was a patron of the arts. Her collection of California art, much of it purchased from the car trunks of now famous artists, is considered by many to be one of the areas finest. Her greatest pride was, however, reserved for her four sons. Ada is survived by her sons Mark, David , Marty, and Leonard, daughters-in-law Farol, Mayela, and Brenda, and grandchildren Leah, Lauren and Ricardo.
There will be a celebration of Ada's life on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at the home of Ms. Linda Dankman at 5750 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, 95822, (916) 442-1155. Any who wish to celebrate her life are invited to attend.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ada Brotman
Andrew Gannon
September 5, 2024
So...2024 and I'm riding in a car with my wife, her boss and her wife...who had been an educator for many years and just retired. Somehow we got on the subject of most influential educators in OUR lives and both the boss' wife and I said Ada Brotman at the same time and looked at each other in stunned amazement. We had taken her classes some 15 years apart, but both came away profoundly moved and enriched by having learned at the feet of the master. It's to my eternal lament that I didn't do a better job of staying touch with Ada after I finished school. She was truly one of a kind.
Ian Forsyth
December 24, 2014
I was lucky enough to take Ada's Classical Humanities class at ARC in Fall '86. It was an enthralling class & reinvigorated my love for learning. I consider myself to be extremely lucky.
Leigh Daniels
October 15, 2013
Ada Brotman was an amazing person. She inspired me to live fearlessly. She introduced another level of life to me by way of Humanities 1, 2, and 3. I remember her crying in class and telling all of us young folk "don't wait to live. Do not spend your life acquiring material items, waiting for the right occasion to use them when tomorrow is not promised!" Though that was my philosophical belief system anyway, she put the words in a different perspective for me and I have never been the same person. She told me to be a BOLD educator. She shared so much with me about her four sons and her perspective of their relationships with her. I could always intuitively understand her and had great admiration for her. Her spirit has never left me since I met her in Humanities 3 in 1994. From that point, she helped see me through my graduating years in 1999 from CSUS. I truly believe a part of her is always with me!
A M
March 7, 2011
I took every one of Ada's classes at ARC during the early 70s. She had the rare gift of being a teacher who could inspire. She inspired me and stayed with me. As I moved around the world, she was a steady and kind correspondant for more than 30 years, tolerating me, I sometimes felt, as another of those she called "my groupies". I last saw her in 2007, when she welcomed me to her lovely home. Our farewell, which we both knew was probably final, was most painful. She was a brilliant and gifted teacher, and she was the dearest of friends. My condolances to her family.
September 1, 2010
Well this site is going to go away and I am not sure if any of her sons read this...My email address is [email protected] PLEASE contact me so I can tell you the story of your Mom from my eyes. I am afraid if I put it here, no one will see it. So if anyone is reading this that knows her sons, please give them my email address. Their wonderful mother will be missed by SOOO many!
June 29, 2010
Oh my!
My favorite instructor from so long ago. I took her first Oriental Lit class at ARC as well as many other classes. In one class we went to plays in San Francisco. I was so lucky to have known her, such a fantastic role model.
DD
Ada's Son, Leonard, and Grandson, Ricardo
February 4, 2010
Jennifer Curtsinger
October 19, 2009
I had been thinking about Ada and the significant impact her courses had on me a lot recently and am deeply sadened to learn of her passing. I wish I would have known sooner so I could have attended her services. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers. I was a student of Ada's in 1988-89 and will never forget her tremendous zest for life, incredible spunk and ragging on me when I was unprepared and she expected better from me! She taught me the value of an education, the love of arts, and travel., and I went on to University a much more dedicated student because of her. What an admirable woman she was and I agree that the cosmos are rejoicing!
October 8, 2009
Ada opened my life to literature, poetry and drama. I never would have been aware of the world without her opening my eyes. I was enriched by her introducing me to Asian arts and literature and the plays in San Francisco. I was a yung widow with kids to raise and her work made me more able to help me enrich my children's lives, and later, my grandchildren's lives. I loved her and owe her. My condolences to her family.
A former ARC student during the 70's.
Norlen, West Sacramento
October 8, 2009
Ada opened my life to literature, poetry and drama. I never would have been aware of the world without her.
She enriched my life. I loved her.
A former student
N~
Brenda Pfau
September 21, 2009
It is 20 years later, and I am struck by the lasting impression Mrs. Brotman's teaching has continued to have on me. I directly attribute my love of the theatre and art to Mrs. Brotman and her Humanities class at ARC. My husband, who also lists her as one of his favorite professors, feels the same way. She had that wonderful way of challenging students to reach beyond their routine thoughts to become more enlightened, critical thinkers. We remember her with great fondness and send our condolences to her family.
kelly
September 9, 2009
I took humanities classes with Ada in my late teens / early 20's. she opened my eyes to the world of art, history, travel, literature. i will never forget her.
Breck Martin
September 6, 2009
As a student of Mrs. Brotman, I learned much and was touched by her personal and caring approach. She pushed me to perform. I thank her for that.
September 5, 2009
Ada Brotman made a wonderful contribution to her community, as a teacher, a colleague, and a friend. Her vitality was legendary.
--Steve Harris, Sacramento
Cheryl Mitchell
September 5, 2009
As a former caregiver of Ada's, I could tell I was in the presence of someone very special. Her sense of humor, her quick wit, never left her. I am honored to have known her for such a short time. She definitely touched my life.
Condolences,
Cheryl Mitchell
September 5, 2009
I had the joy and pleasure of being a student of Adas at ARC in the early '80's. She was a feisty and fun teacher. She was always trying to tell us to LIVE LIFE NOW! She once read a story of mine and was touched by it..She came over to my desk and the look on her face was SO sincere and sweet...a look I will never forget. That 'Live Life Now" philosophy is something I live by to this day and I attribute it to Ada. Thank you Ada for that gift. Laurie Johnsen-Hund, Sac, CA
Nancianne Pfister
September 5, 2009
I was happy to know Ada as an ARC colleague. When my schedule permitted, I sat in on her Humanities classes, amazed at the depth and width of her knowledge, well beyond anything that could possibly be described in the college catalog. She was a strict task mistresss, having little patience with the uninvolved. Lazy students soon discovered the consequences of their lack of dedication.
Ada was delighted to give her students, not only course content, but practical ways to operate in the academic world. She would tell them, "You think you can't afford an Ivy League school? Yes, you can. They have grants and are OBLIGATED to admit qualified students despite inability to pay. You have to know how to go about it. Talk to me."
Ada also impressed and befriended my grandson, Adam, inviting him to accompany her Asian Humanities class to a Japanese tea ceremony. Adam later studied for five years in Taiwan. The command of Chinese language he learned there earned him a full-ride scholarship at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service.
The earth is a diminished place, but on the next plane of existence, the cosmos rejoices.
Judith Williams Peterson
September 5, 2009
My condolences to Ada's family. Ada was a strong influence in my life during my time at ARC in the mid-seventies. I was a returning adult student with a family and Ada gave me support and encouragement when I thought it was all too much. I once wrote a poem called "Ada, my Ada" which displayed my affection for her and paid tribute to all she had shown me of the world. Ada came to me the night my young husband died and I'll never forget her words to me that night and the solace they gave me. Ada taught me to think, to be a person upon whom nothing is lost, and to open my mind to the world. I'm honored that she left this world on my birthday. She will always be in my heart...
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