Dr. Norman R. Ascherman

Dr. Norman R. Ascherman Age 81, a San Francisco dentist, lawyer and philanthropist died on July 13, 2008 after a year's long battle with cancer. It is the same disease that took the life of his twin brother Stanford Ascherman in 2004. He passed away peacefully at his home overlooking San Francisco Bay. Dr. Ascherman was a native of Chicago. He was a 1948 graduate of the University of Illinois and two years later received his dental degree from that same institution. Among the personal traits that were hallmarks of his life, it was his boundless curiosity that inspired him to begin taking night classes at Golden Gate University College of Law back in the mid 1960s. He received his J.D. in 1967. Although he never had a desire to practice law, Dr. Ascherman did blend his passions for dentistry and law into active involvement in the field of medical ethics and he was a fellow of the American College of Legal Medicine. He once said that he did not need Chagalls on his wall. Instead the walls of his home were filled with "art" that he treasured far more: photos of him with friends, prime ministers plus other national and international dignitaries along with framed honors from many of the organizations he so generously supported. Both his friendships and his philanthropy extended around the globe. Prominent among the countless organizations Dr. Ascherman supported are the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, the University of California San Francisco plus his alma maters the University of Illinois and Golden Gate University College of Law. He established major projects at each of these organizations. Although, like his late brother, he was a lifelong bachelor, the programs he established will serve as a rich legacy of his life. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Services will be held Wednesday, July 16, 1:30pm at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park Chapel, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma. CA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, 300 Montgomery St., Suite 615, SF, CA 94104 or Hebrew Free Loan Association, 131 Steuart St., Suite 425, SF, CA 94105.