Ian S. Tanowitz
January 26, 2020

IAN S. TANOWITZ: On Sunday January 26, 2020, beloved father of Robin (Charles) Herbol and Michael Tanowitz. Brother of Karen (Thomas) Bernstein. "Grandpa Ian" to Sydney, Kyle and Deanna Herbol. Uncle of Michael, Todd and the late Marci Bernstein, David Schindler and Amy Jackson. Great uncle of Max, Sammy, AJ and Charley. Former spouse of Louise Segal and also survived by his beloved four legged companion, Goldie. Mr. Tanowitz was an avid fencer and in his youth he competed in Olympic Weightlifting. Friends may meet at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Thursday at 1 PM and then proceed to Beth Shalom Cemetery for 2 PM Graveside Services. Contributions may be made to the Animal Lifeline Pittsburgh (animallifelinepgh.org). Friends will be received at the residence of Michael Bernstein on Thursday 5 - 7 PM. www.schugar.com 

Condolences

It was and is so, so sad hearing the news about Ian. My heart is very heavy from the vacuum created by his absence. We spent years together and I've wonderful memories of our hours-long thought-provoking conversations, our made-up comedy routines, & our meanderings around Pittsburgh -- from shul, to a movie and then a nightclub -- shh, just don't tell the rabbi!! He was such a unique and extraordinarily talented human being -- he was fun-loving and so very funny, such that I imagine most comedians would be too afraid to follow his act on-stage. He was inventively creative, with a searing brilliance; he was a genuinely original thinker. And there was no subject or aspect of life itself for that matter, that he wasn't totally curious and interested in learning more about. In many ways he was a Renaissance man. And finally, he was very big-hearted and would go out of his way to help his friends. Gee, Ian, had you lived to 100, it wouldn't have been enough time to contain all that is within you. I hope you realize how much you will be missed. All of my love, Michael Greene