KARL MAX GIRSHMAN

KARL MAX GIRSHMAN  
Died November 26, 2013, age 86. Born in Buffalo, NY, the only child of Yitzhak and Lena (Gelman) Girshman, both natives of Ukraine. Karl began working at age 14, including a stint building planes during WWII. The first in his family to attend college and one of the first sociology graduates in New York State, Karl graduated from University of Buffalo, with further studies at Case Western and Brandeis University.Working at summer camp, he fell for fellow Buffalonian Rita Peisachow. They married in 1952 and lived in Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Boston and Detroit before moving to the Washington area in 1971. He worked in the health and mental health care field for his entire professional life. Karl developed programs and facilities for the UAW, University Research Company (URC), and the Hebrew Home, among others. Karl and Rita traveled extensively, built a cabin in the West Virginia woods, and were enthusiastic supporters of the cultural life of greater Washington. He loved music, gardening, cooking, Yiddish culture, and gathering friends together.Predeceased by his wife, and survived by their children, Beth Girshman (Tim Menerey) of Martinez, CA, Peggy Girshman (Mitch Berger) of Silver Spring, MD; and Irving Girshman (Helen Ogilvie) of San Francisco, and granddaughters Lianna (Ahmed Saleh) and Natalie.Memorial service to be held in the near future. Contributions may be made to the Marlboro Music Festival Annual Fund,www.marlboromusic.org/support.