Irving J. Oppenheim
February 26, 2023

Condolences

My condolences. It was with great sorrow that I learned of your loss. I am grateful to have known Irving from our email contact about prints.

Dear Lisa and family, We are shocked and saddened to hear that Irv has passed on. I remember him as a great companion in our house in Cambridge. During his time in Cambridge he co- drove with me and the Landy children to Edinburgh for my brother’s wedding in 1972. At a point when I had gotten yay tired on the 400 mile journey and could not understand why the car would not climb hills, Irv calmly suggested moving down a gear. Later we were delighted to stay with you all in Squirrel Hill. That was a lot of fun. Irv explained to us in Pittsburgh the strengthening factor of the arch, in bridges over the rivers Monongahela, the Ohio and one other. Always a good educator. He also showed us some of his climbing pictures…definitely NFR= not for Ros. We loved his charm, his humour and his Menschlichkeit. May his memory be for a blessing. ברוך דיין אמת. Ros

Dear Lisa and Family: Baruch Dayan HaEmet. So very sorry to learn of Irv\'s passing. We have such fond memories of our neighborhood days together back on Dalzell Place where sharing friendship and happy times enjoying each other\'s company was so special. Irv\'s pleasant demeanor, wisdom and character were integral to his being. May you all find comfort in the warmest of memories of Irv, may his neshama merit an aliya and may his soul be at peace.

Dr. Oppenheim stands out as an influential figure in my childhood and young adulthood. He and Lisa were the warmest and most welcoming people I have ever met. Their family clearly valued community and invested in others. I learned so much from Irving - from how to enjoy a good beer to art to visiting National Parks. When I reflect on my life and my aspirations (personally or professionally), I realize many of them were inspired by Irving. May his memory be for a blessing.

Irving was such a warm and gracious colleague. He genuinely seemed happy to see each of us and brought warmth to every situation. I will miss him and send my sincere condolences.

I wanted to express my gratitude for knowing and being a junior colleague of Irving's in the School of Architecture for many years. I want to acknowledge how helpful and KIND he was so often. I am thankful for the important advice he gave, the confidence he had in me, and the tips and ideas he shared so selflessly. The word that comes to my mind when I think of Irving is "Gentleman," in the best sense of the word. He was so proper, so respectful, so kind, so gentle, so human. I am grateful and thankful for having known him and for his support over the years.

You are and will be greatly missed, Prof. Oppenheim. May God give you and your loved ones peace. John 11:25

I had the pleasure of having Dr. Oppenheim as a professor at CMU in the early 1980's. He was without doubt one of the most intellectual and charming professors encountered in my course of study. He had a way of teaching complex structural concepts to architects that allowed us right-brained fools to actually understand. I have no doubt his contributions have crossed multiple disciplines and generations of students. The world is a better place for him having been here. My deepest condolences.

I was shocked when I heard this. I was in your probability class in the 2019 fall class at CMU and bought a great book about probability from you then. You are such a great person, so kind and so erudite. You inspired so many students at CMU and I hope you rest in peace. Condolences to your families.

Professor Oppenheim was a very kind man, for whom I had great admiration. I am sorry to hear of his passing. I worked as a TA for him in the late eighties.

Dear Professor Oppenheim, You are always smiling and willing to share your knowledge with students in breadth and depth. You will always be remembered.

I was a student of Irving’s in the early 90’s while studying architecture. I then decided to go for a second degree in civil engineering. Irving was hugely instrumental in making this happen, working with me over several years to develop the most optimal curriculum to see me through to the finish line. I’m forever grateful for his guidance and advice while I was at CMU, and was happy to see him in NYC a few years ago when he visited on a CMU architecture trip. He hadn’t changed a bit! I still remember these large Tensegrity models in his office - a structural system he was studying. I also remember visiting his office for help with some structures homework and he told me “This stuff isn’t easy!” It made me feel better to know I wasn’t alone. I want to send my deepest condolences to Irving Oppenheim’s family. May he rest in peace.

Irving was a wonderful colleague and friend, spanning the worlds of art, engineering and exploration. We will all miss him. My best wishes to the whole family. Chris H.

I was a student of Irving's in the mid 1980's, and just learned with sadness of his passing. I send condolences to all his family. I took multiple classes, an independent study, and TA'd his Structural System's course. He was a terrific teacher, boss, and mentor; full of life, and funny too. He will be missed.

Dear Dr. Oppenheim, I forever remember your kindness and dedication to teaching and students. I could not imagine CEE at CMU without you. May you rest in peace.

I am so sorry to learn of Irving's passing. I loved his classes, and enjoyed his company. My condolences to his family. Maribeth

My deepest condolences for the loss of an amazing person in this lifetime. I will be forever indebted to Prof Oppenheim as he made room for me in the 1982 CE Master class on the Friday before classes started. An amazing mind with out of the box vision that I have used throughout my professional career. A good part of this success is thanks to you Prof Oppenheim. May your soul be embraced by divine light so you continue to shine even brighter. Un abrazo profesor.

True respected mentor. Always show his face to you

Sorry for your loss. He was my professor in the early 90s and I still remember him as one of my favorites.

My condolences. He was a wonderful human being, he will be remembered as a kind soul.

My condolence to wife and family, Irving was a great guy and will surely be missed. I will always remember times we spent both at work and socially together, I learned a great deal from him and I know he said he learned from me, it was a mutual friendship! He I know he shall not be forgotten!

Irving has been a mentoring figure to me, always kind, helpful and wise. I will always be grateful for his support and goodness, and I will miss him deeply. Please accept my sincere condolences.

I taught with Irving for many years in the School of Architecture and he was a mentor and colleague. His asbence in the department will be felt and I will miss his friendship and climbing stories! You could always count on a dramatic photo from him at our start-of-year assemblies! My condolences are with you all. He was a kind spirit.

It was with supreme sadness when I learned last night of the sudden death of Irving. He, and his brother Eddie, are my strongest links to so many pleasant childhood memories from 'back in the day', in The Bronx, NYC. Carol & I wish only the best for Lisa, Eddie, and David/Michael/Daniel. Rest in Peace my beloved Cousin.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

I will always remember Dr. Oppenheim as a true gentleman and a great scholar. People like him are hard to find this day. He will be missed.

Dear Lisa, I am so sorry to hear of Irv's passing. He was a cherished colleague during my 16 years on the CMU CEE faculty from 1989-2005, and a great mentor to me. I looked forward eagerly to his return from Yosemite every summer, and to the stories and photographs he'd bring back of his adventures on the rock. My thoughts are with you and the children. Omar

We are all so sad to hear of Irving’s passing and send our love and condolences to dear Lisa , David, Daniel and Michael. We will always remember your kindness. Rest in peace Irving

My sincere condolences to you on Irving’s passing. He was a mentor to me that was always willing to give his time and advice. He will be sorely missed.

Dear Lisa: We will remember Irving fondly for his positive influence on thousands of students and many faculty members throughout his career. He was an outstanding teacher and mentor, and his enthusiasm for rock climbing, music, and art is an inspiration to the rest of us. After 50 years on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon, he leaves an amazing legacy. Much love from Cliff and Megan

Our deepest condolences to the family of Irving. As the new Head of the CMU School of Architecture my time with Irving was brief but profound. He was a person of impeccable character and tremendous generosity. His influence on faculty and students at the School are immeasurable. He will be greatly missed.

I am so sorry to hear about Irving. You have my condolences. He was a very special and wonderful individual and I will miss him.