Obituary of Bernard S. Nowitz

Bernard "Bernie" Nowitz died after complications from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was 74. Nowitz was born in the Bronx on March 27, 1938 and moved with his family to 443 Taylor Court in Troy, NY in 1942; the Taylor Court address would be home not only to the Nowitz Family, but also the source of warm and deeply cherished childhood memories. A son of Abraham and Fannye Nowitz, Bernie had an older sister, Arlene Nowitz Allen who predeceased him, and is survived by his younger brother, Richard Nowitz, a photographer in Rockville, Maryland. He was a graduate of Troy High School, Class of 1956 and Albany College of Pharmacy, Class of 1960; a member of Rho Pi Phi Fraternity. In 1963, two short months after a chance introduction to Reeva Rosenblum of Cohoes, NY, the two would become engaged and then married on June 14, 1964. During the darkest days of Nowitzs' illness, when asked what he was fighting for, he would regularly declare that he wasn't ready to leave his wife. Together the two would own and run Burns Pharmacy and Medical Equipment in Rensselaer, NY, for 24 years, which they sold in 1990. Bernie Nowitz was a Fellow of the American College of Apthocaries, and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. Nowitz was a very proud, knowledgeable and passionate pharmacist, giving tirelessly to his patients and became a beloved member of the Rensselaer community and valued for treating his patients kindly, compassionately and respectfully. After his retirement from Burns Pharmacy, he worked at Whitney Young in Albany, NY and also work for the Medicaid Fraud Unit of the State of New York. He was cited by the Rensselaer Police Department with its Outstanding Citizen Award. Aside from professional pursuits, Bernie Nowitz was heavily involved in various Jewish organizations including a board member of HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), United Jewish Federation of Upstate New York and United Jewish Federation Grants Committee, Hadassah Associate, a former board member of the Capital District V'ad Ha Kashrut, a board member Jewish Family Services and was a past President of Temple Beth El, a former member of the Beth El religious committee and a lay chaplain. He was also a past board member of Troy Chromatics. He traveled to the former Soviet Union on a fact finding mission and to Israel with the Volunteers for Israel Project (twice). In 1998, the Nowitzs were honored by State of Israel Bonds and 2010, they were honored by JERNY (Jewish Educational Resource of New York). His commitment and philanthropy to his faith was unwavering and forefront in his life. In his spare time, Bernie loved musical theater, opera, language, and history, particularly military history. To those who knew him well, Bernie epitomized hard work, passion and commitment, not to mention kindness and compassion. He believed deeplyand encouraged his children to follow their dreams and success would follow; showed continued support and encouragement to their various endeavors. A strong character and a strong soul, Bernie will forever be remembered by those who knew him; he was a giant teddy bear. Bernie fought courageously against a disease that rendered his lungs useless. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Reeva Rosenblum Nowitz, two daughters, Sheryl Nowitz Klein (Tony) of Palo Alto, CA, Abra Nicolle Nowitz of New York, NY and two grandsons, Alex and Daniel Klein. Services at Temple Beth El 411 Hoosick Street Troy, NY on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 1:30pm. Interment will follow in the Beth El Cemetery in Troy. For those wishing to make a donation in Bernie's memory, please send donations to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 West Evergreen Avenue, Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60642 The period of mourning will be observed at the residence, Sunday through Thursday and Friday morning with a minyan service each evening at 7pm.