Herbert Gelman

Obituary HERB GELMAN Herb Gelman February 17, 1933 - June 13, 2012 The world has lost a warm, wonderful, caring man. The true and final test of any man is not in what he possessed, but in what he valued. Herb Gelman, who passed from this earth on Wednesday, valued his family, his faith, his friends and his country. He valued education, the law, baseball and theater. Herb was a child of Brownsville Brooklyn, born the son of a meatcutter and raised on the streets of lifelong friendships, tenement stoops and candy stores. By some unusual magnetic attraction he could find in any large group at least one other student from Brooklyn College, from which he graduated in 1954. As an officer in the Air Force he navigated sorties across the Atlantic, and while stationed at McChord he met the strongest love of his life, Barbara Jensen, his wife of 53 years. Following his military service, Herb attended the University of Washington Law School, graduating in 1962. He served as an assistant state attorney general until 1966, when he began a career in private practice that saw him become one of the most respected attorneys - and one of the most feared by opposing counsel - in Pierce County. He is remembered for his acumen in law as much as for his community service. Herb rose to become president of the Franklin Pierce School Board and served as a 12-year trustee at The Evergreen State College. He was active in various bar association groups and served on the board at Lakewood Hospital. Long dedicated to his heritage of faith, Herb served on the board of directors at Tacoma Temple Beth El. Herb was Perry Mason in court and Jackie Mason while holding court among his friends. Alongside his love of the law and his commitment to his community, Herb marked his presence among us with his quick wit and broad humor. There was not a subject for which his mind could not capture an anecdote or joke - whether about the kangaroo that hopped into a bar or the monk, the priest and the rabbi sitting together on an airliner. His humor was self-deprecating, and Pierce County ballrooms and courtrooms still echo with the laughter he earned at the expense of his flyaway wig. Herb acted in summer stock on Cape Cod and on stage at local amateur theaters. He was a skier, and a charter member at Crystal Mountain. He knew Irving Berlin's daughter and Babe Ruth's widow. Among his many friends he counted elected officials, celebrities, academics, writers, judges and professional baseball players. Herb is survived by his wife, Barbara Jensen-Gelman; sons Mark (Susie) and Dana (Marie); and daughter Sarah Gelman-Simmons (Gage). He leaves granddaughters Lauren, Kristen, and Gretchen Gelman, and Brynn Gelman-Simmons; and grandsons Chase and Connor Gelman-Simmons. He also leaves siblings Ruth Farkas of California and Lester Gelman and Frieda Gary of New York. Graveside service for friends and family will be presided by Rabbi Bruce Kadden on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 2p.m. at Home of Peace Cemetery in Lakewood. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.