Brandeis Magazine

Frances Goldberg Shuster ’52, of Salem, Massachusetts, formerly of Swampscott and New Bedford, died unexpectedly on May 23. She leaves two children, Michelle and Gary. Her cousin Janet Levy, MA’72, also graduated from Brandeis. Joyce Elaine Rosenberg Barnett ’54, of San Francisco, an elementary-school teacher and adventurous traveler, died on May 21. She biked solo around the world in her 50s, danced tango in Argentina in her 60s and climbed Machu Picchu’s highest peak in her 70s. In her 80s, she enjoyed African safaris and hiking adventures. She was a member of the Travelers’ Century Club, for people who have visited more than 100 countries. She traveled in color-coordinated style, with an efficiently packed carry-on suitcase. A patron of the arts, she volunteered with the San Francisco Ballet, Symphony and Opera. She leaves her children, Donna and Ethan; her brother, Franklin; two grandchildren; and her ex-husband, Robert. The Rev. Bob Mayer ’54, of San Jose, California, who introduced the first resolution for the ordination of women at a Diocese of California convention, died on Dec. 27, 2016. He worked at various technology firms before joining the Episcopal Church as a priest. He served as interim pastor for several congregations before founding St. Lawrence Church in Campbell with his wife, Joanna. He later served at St. Jude’s in Cupertino. In addition to his wife, he leaves his children, Carroll, David, Daniel and Joseph, and five grandchildren. Herbert Bressman ’55, of Lake Worth, Florida, who practiced dentistry in New Jersey for 40 years, died on March 25. He graduated from Brandeis in three years to attend the New York University College of Dentistry. After graduating from dental school, he served in Germany as a U.S. Army captain. Herbert was president of both the New Jersey Dental Association and the Central New Jersey Dental Association, and was a member of the American Dental Association’s house of delegates. He played tennis and golf, and enjoyed summers with his family in Hemlock Farms, Pennsylvania. He generously supported the Brandeis Fund and enjoyed returning to campus for Class of 1955 Reunions. Herbert leaves his wife of more than 50 years, Sherrill; sons Michael and Richard; his brother, Edward; and six grandchildren. His cousin Jonathan Chimene ’81 also graduated from Brandeis. Thomas Egan ’55, of Highland Mills, New York, an attorney and Brandeis Hall of Fame football player, died on March 25. Although Thomas started at safety for four years for the Judges, his biggest contribution came when he was named quarterback three weeks before the 1953 season began, after starter Jimmy Stehlin ’57 was drafted into the U.S. Army. Despite never having played the position as a collegian, he teamed with end Bill McKenna ’55 to form a potent passing duo. As a senior, he was the nation’s top-ranked passer in the small-college division. He was inducted into the Joseph M. Linsey Brandeis Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. He also served as class president as a senior. “Tommy was the ideal student-athlete,” teammate Mike Uhlberg ’55 remembers. “He was very committed to his studies and to football.” After earning his law degree from Georgetown, Thomas established a practice focused on trusts, estates and real estate in New York’s Central Valley. He leaves his wife, Phyllis; four children; and many grandchildren. Lawrence Scheinman ’55, of Vienna, Virginia, who was involved in nuclear-related matters both as an academic and as a government and international organization official, died on Feb. 19. He held tenured professor posts at Cornell, Michigan and the University of California prior to his appointment by President Bill Clinton as assistant secretary for nonproliferation and nuclear arms control. He was principal deputy of state for international security and served as an adviser to the undersecretary of state during Jimmy Carter’s presidency. His authoritative works on the French nuclear-weapons program and the International Atomic Energy Agency are considered classics in the literature of the field. Lawrence leaves his wife of 61 years, Lorraine ’55; sons Stephen, Adam and Alex; five grandchildren; and his brother, Ronald ’64.