Dean Julian Hirschfield
February 6, 2015

HIRSCHFIELD, DEAN JULIAN: On Friday, February 6, 2015; Beloved by both family and many friends Dean Hirschfield was a native Bostonian (son of the late Samuel & Bertha Hirschfield) who landed in Pittsburgh in 1938 to attend Carnegie Tech.  Shortly after his arrival he met the love of his life, Melva Reah Bernstein, a sweet and strikingly beautiful Margaret Morrison co-ed who preceded him in death in 2012.  As befitting their 70-year romance, Melva & Dean were married on Valentines Day 1943.  Together they had three remarkable children, Carol (Theodore) Goldberg, Jim (Sonya Ishii) Hirschfield and Betty Jo Hirschfield (Howard) Louik; seven grandchildren, John (Veronica) Goldberg, David Goldberg, Elizabeth (Michael Weisberg) Goldberg; Mie Hirschfield; Max (Kate) Louik, Rachel (Jason) Smith and Jay Benjamin Louik; and six great grandchildren; Joseph Goldberg, Michelle Goldberg, Javier Goldberg, Sarah Goldberg, William Weisberg and Mavis Louik.  Dean is also survived by a sister, Sheila (Sydney) Aliber of Newton, MA and many nieces and nephews including Catherine Drabkin of Pittsburgh, daughter of Dean's sister, Lenore (dec'd).  After graduating from Carnegie Tech, Dean served in the US Navy in the South Pacific as an engineering officer on an LST.  His service included the invasion of the Philippines.  Dean had boundless energy coupled with a powerful analytical mind.  His enthusiasm to tackle difficult and often thankless tasks was unmatched.  Leaving the world of engineering behind Dean eventually found a home in his father-in-law's (J.B. Bernstein) wholesale jewelry business.  The business prospered and expanded with Dean as its head for many years but eventually succumbed to the terrible stagflation of the early 1980's.  At age 64 Dean, working with his close friend, Robert Shapiro, began a new 20-year career as a commercial real estate agent where he again found fulfillment and success.  Dean was an ardent Zionist and collector of Judaic books, art and memorabilia.  He was also a tireless fundraiser for Temple Emanuel, the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh, including chair of its annual campaigns, Israel Bonds, Carnegie Mellon University and other charitable causes.  Dean had many firsts in his life.  He was first in the heart of his beloved wife, Melva (and apparently in the lead in their 40-year running scrabble game).  First, in the hearts of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  First in his graduating class in chemical engineering.  First, as a founding member of Temple Emanuel of the South Hills (Mt. Lebanon) in 1954.  First to serve as its president, and have both a son-in-law and daughter serve as president.  First in his family to have an autobiography published, Rivers of Chance, a mission statement for his grandchildren chronicling Dean's life in exquisite detail (including the time Dean first saw an airplane fly overhead).  One of Dean's favorite adages at family gatherings was this:  "Without me, none of you would be in this room."  The phrase was never boastful; just a statement of simple fact made with deep love and giving food for thought to just how blessed his family was to be part of his extraordinary life.  Services at Temple Emanuel of South Hills, 1250 Bower Hill Road, Mt. Lebanon on Sunday at 12:45 pm.  Visitation at Temple one half hour prior to services (12:15 pm - 12:45 pm).  Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation.  Contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel of South Hills, the Bernstein-Hirschfield Fund at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pgh. or a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

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