Harold Bertram "Hal" Auerbach

1931 - 2024

Harold Bertram "Hal"
Auerbach
10/07/1931 - 06/15/2024
Harold Auerbach died on Saturday, June 15, at home after a short illness. He was 92 years old.
Hal was born in St. Paul, Minn., to Jacob and Zelda (Korobov) Auerbach, on October 7, 1931. His parents had moved from San Francisco to St. Paul at the outset of the Depression, to be closer to Zelda's family. When he was six years old, the family returned to San Francisco, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Hal attended Emerson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School, and Lowell High School, where he graduated in 1950. It was at Lowell that Hal met his future bride, Dorothy Ann Greenfeld. He joined her briefly at the University of California, Berkeley, before enrolling at the University of San Francisco, where he completed his education, obtaining his law degree in 1957 while working part-time for the Social Security Administration.
Hal and Dorothy married on June 22, 1952. They had five children, three of whom were born while Hal was still in school. On graduation, Hal found work with a two-man law firm, Mueller and McLeod, specializing in commercial collections and bankruptcy. When the last of the partners died in 1973, Hal inherited the firm, which he then called Mueller, McLeod, and Auerbach, and, later, Auerbach and Associates. He formed a partnership with his friend, Robert Dauphin, which carried on for about 20 years. Finally, tired of the administrative headaches involved in running a firm, he and Dauphin dissolved their partnership and Hal joined Glassberg and Pollak, happily assuming the role he described as "the world's oldest associate," until after his 80th birthday, when he finally retired. Throughout his career, Hal was active in the Commercial Law League of America and taught courses at Lincoln Law School and Golden Gate University Law School.
Hal was a loving husband and an engaged father, finding ways to entertain his bushel of children on a limited budget, by taking the family on long car trips, to Golden Gate Park, or to track meets at Stanford University (remember when the "Soviet Union" used to sponsor "goodwill missions" of athletes to the United States?), and other low-cost forms of entertainment. He and Dorothy enrolled the children in the Sherith Israel religious school and became active members of the Congregation. Harold served Sherith Israel as the President of the Men's Club and on the Board of Directors and for many years, as an usher at High Holiday Services.
Hal was known and loved by all for his keen wit and humor. He was a master punster. He was warm and affable like no other; he could walk into a room and within five minutes make 50 friends. His friends spanned a wide spectrum, including the chums of his children who all found him a delight. Hal was also dapper and a man-about-the-city (especially its bars), and he walked, even into his 90s, all over his beloved San Francisco.
Hal lived the last 10 years of his life with Dorothy, at Rhoda Goldman Plaza, where he was a vibrant and treasured member of the community. The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Rhoda Goldman Plaza for providing Harold with a loving community and a much more rewarding experience than he had any expectation of having when he moved in. Their care and compassion in his final days we will treasure always. We also would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and other staff members at C.P.M.C. Buena Vista and C.P.M.C. Van Ness for their loving care during his last illness, and the hospice team at Pathways for their assistance during the last phase of his illness.
Hal is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy; and by his children, Ruth Auerbach Levin (David), Harry (Geri), Judith (Mark Abramson); by his grandchildren, Cullen Auerbach (Arlana Burk), Thomas Auerbach (Grace), Seth Auerbach (Rebecca Rich), Ryan Auerbach, and Matthew Levin (Brenda Juarez-Castro); and by his great-granddaughter, Arie Kaimana Auerbach. He was predeceased by his sons, Robert (1960-1993), and Matthew (1964-1991).
Hal was, above all, a rationalist, who appreciated writers like Marcus Aurelius. So it seems fitting to end with the last of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations:
"Man, you have been a citizen in this great State: what difference does it make to you whether for five years or a 100? ...Depart then satisfied, for He who also releases you is satisfied."
A funeral will be celebrated at Sinai Memorial Chapel, 1501 Divisadero St., San Francisco, on Thursday, June 20, at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, Hal would have loved to know that you've honored his memory through contributions to Congregation Sherith Israel, the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning, the ACLU, or the charity of your choice.