In memory of Susan Herman
Jun 24th, 2009 by Michael Justice
We are saddened today, June 24, 2009 to learn that Dr. Susan Herman, Professor Emeritus of Management, passed away early this morning. Dr. Herman had many close friends and colleagues in the Keene State College and local community who were touched by her life.
While further information will be gathered regarding a memorial service, we wanted to share the link to Dr. Herman’s journal through Caring Bridges.
Memorial donations can be made online to the Susan Herman Award for Leadership Endowment. Select “view” on this line: List of Holocaust Center Funds and Endowments.
To leave a memory or tribute, please use the Leave a Reply text box below.
The family will hold a shiva at Barbara Virchick’s home on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (32 Mill Street, Dorchester, MA 02122 / 617.825.1541).
A memorial service for Susan will be held in Keene, NH on Sunday, June 28 at 2 p.m.
A shiva will be held in Keene the night of June 27 and after the service on the June 28.
Another memorial service is being planned for Fairbanks, AK, to be held at a later time. More details about these events will be posted later today.
“[...] I’ve had a wonderful life.”[...]
Hevre,
It is with sorrow that I announce the death of Susan J. Herman. Susan was loved by many members of our community, and we grieve together with her family.
A memorial service will be held in Keene this Sunday afternoon. The time and other details will be announced as soon as they are available.
Barukh dayan ha’emet - blessed is the Holy One who gives life. May the memories of Susan be a blessing to her family and to all who knew and loved her.
Shalom uVracha - Peace and Blessings,
Rabbi Sarah Niebuhr Rubin
Printed in the Boston Globe 6/25/09:
Susan Jane (Goldsmith) Herman of Fairbanks, Alaska passed away June 24, 2009 after an illness of pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband, Gary Kofinas, her three children Melissa, Thomas, and Sarah, her five spectacular grandchildren Tia, Felix, Simon, Miriam, and Joshua, and her three sisters Ellen Switkes, Marjie Crosby, and Barbara Virchick. Susan inspired many through her service as a parent, teacher, leader, volunteer, and scholar. She was Professor of Management at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Professor Emerita at Keene State College in Keene, NH, and cofounder of Interlocken Center for Experiential Learning (now Windsor Mountain International).
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Susan’s life Thursday June 25th from 2pm to 8pm at the Virchick residence, 32 Mill Street, Dorchester, MA 02122. A second gathering will be Saturday in NH from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Carmel residence, 4 Pheasant Hill Rd., Keene, NH 03431. A memorial service for Susan will be held Sunday starting at 2pm at the Keene synagogue, Congregation Ahavas Achim, 84 Hastings Avenue, Keene, NH, 03431. The family will sit shiva following the service at the Carmel residence.
Donations can be made in Susan’s honor to the Susan J. Herman Leadership Award in Holocaust and Genocide Awareness, Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies, Keene State College, 229 Main Street, Keene, NH 03435-3201, http://www.keene.edu/cchs/
Two days ago, I was working on a DVD of my final year at Keene State College. One of the photos I chose to include in the DVD was of Susan Herman, who had surprised us and was in attendance at my last commencement. Mary-Lou and I invited her to stay for the pre-commencement brunch with the platform party. We were pleased she accepted our invitation and was gracious to allow me to take a photo of her. When I looked at this photo, I wondered how Susan was doing now. Imagine our shock, to learn she had passed away and on that very same day. I know her spirit remains with us.
I first met Susan when she served as a member of the presidential search committee that recommended me for the job. During my years at Keene State we had frequent interactions. I was an occasional guest in her classroom as well as her home. Susan was a gifted teacher and a spirited faculty leader and served as a friend and confidant. She would always tell me what I needed to hear not what I wanted to hear. I appreciated her candor and her friendship.
Mary-Lou and I will miss her, but as I had remarked earlier, her spirit remains with us. We extend our deepest condolences to Gary and her family.
Of all my high school teachers only one stands out as my Hero and that was Susan Herman. My high school years were horrible and Mrs. Herman was the biggest boaster I had. She is the reason I stayed in school and she is the reason for my successes. I am saddened to learn she has passed but know she is in a better place. She will always be in my heart. Love Michelle