Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Alan R. Cerf Tribute in BerkeleyHass Magazine

BerkeleyHass is the magazine of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. In the Fall 2017 issue, the following obituary appeared.

Haas Accounting Professor Alan Cerf, BS 44



Accounting Prof. Alan Robert Cerf, who taught more than 13,000 students over 62 years at Berkeley-Hass, died August 24 of natural causes at his home in Piedmont, Calif. He was 93.

Cerf earned his BS when Berkeley's business school was called the College of Commerce and began his academic career at the university in 1956. His research focused mainly on taxation and auditing. Over the course of his Berkeley-Haas career, he held prestigious positions and received several key honors. He served as chairman of the school's Accounting Group from 1978 to 1982. Cerf was the first director of UC Berkeley's San Francisco MBA Program, staffed by business school faculty, and the first director of the evening MBA. In 1984, he received the Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching and Research from the California CPA Foundation. In April 2011, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for distinguished contributions to the Haas accounting program.

A strong believer that exercise was a key to a long, healthy life, Cerf was known for assigning a student to lead his classes in a quick round of calisthenics. It was that enthusiasm, energy, and enjoyment for teaching that impressed both students and faculty.

Cerf served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned to Harvard, where he earned his MBA in 1947. He then worked at an accounting firm and later at his father's haberdashery. He received his PhD in economics from Stanford University in 1952.

Cerf is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, [four sons, one daughter]*, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

*Names of living individuals are not specified in this blog, although the name of the wife and first names of the children were posted in the article.

Reference:

BerkeleyHaas Magazine, Published by the Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley, Fall 2017 issue, Page 39.

Friday, September 8, 2017

UCB Tribute to Professor Alan Robert Cerf



Legendary professor Alan Cerf, who taught thousands over six decades, passes away

By Kim Girard

Accounting Prof. Alan Robert Cerf, who taught more than 13,000 students over 62 years at Berkeley-Haas, died August 24, of natural causes at his home in Piedmont.
He was 93.
Cerf, BS 44, began his academic career at UC Berkeley in 1956. His research focused mainly on taxation and auditing. Decades after many of his peers had retired, Cerf was still teaching a taxation class to 60 Berkeley-Haas undergraduates last year.
Over the course of his Berkeley-Haas career, Cerf held prestigious positions and received several key honors. He served as chairman of the school’s Accounting Group from 1978 to 1982. Cerf was the first director of UC Berkeley’s San Francisco MBA Program, staffed by business school faculty. In 1984, he received the Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching and Research from the California CPA Foundation.
In April 2011, Cerf was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for distinguished contributions to the Haas accounting program. “I figured out the other day that I’ve taught 13,440 students,” Cerf said at the event, held at the Claremont Hotel.
A strong believer that exercise was a key to a long, healthy life, Cerf was known for assigning a student to lead his classes in a quick round of calisthenics. It was that enthusiasm, energy, and enjoyment for teaching that impressed both students and the faculty.
Adj. Prof. Nora Silver, faculty director of the Center for Social Sector Leadership at Haas, recalled Cerf’s warmth toward her when she joined the school in 2003. “I was a new instructor down the hall from him and he never failed to stop and say hello,” she said. “He’d see me come in from exercising and he gave me an ‘Atta boy—you’ve got to take care of yourself.’ He was just so warm, encouraging and positive, and that just made a difference for me.”

“They were all students of Alan’s”

Prof. Xiao Jun Zhang, chair of the Accounting Group, who has been at Haas since 1998, called Cerf a true legend who taught generations of students with kindness and high teaching standards. Zhang recalled attending meetings of the Berkeley-Haas Center for Financial Reporting and Management with Cerf, who was surrounded by former students.
“What truly impressed me at these meetings was that there were senior partners who were retiring from one of the Big Four accounting firms along with Alan’s undergraduate students who were just entering the profession,” he said. “They were all students of Alan’s.”
During his decades at Berkeley, Cerf was at the forefront of many changes: In interviews, he noted the growth in the number of female students from a conspicuous few in class to many; the expansion of the business school from the College of Commerce during his undergraduate days; and the addition of new programs like the evening MBA, of which Cerf was the first director. In business education, Cerf saw a shift away from studying specialized areas such as accounting and marketing to a broader managerial approach to business education.

“An extraordinary lifetime of contribution”

For his 90th birthday, the Haas community surprised Cerf with a birthday party in the Wells Fargo Room. At the time, Dean Rich Lyons said: “This is an extraordinary lifetime of contribution not just to this institution but to so many people’s lives. He’s advanced the careers and made better lives for an awful lot of our students.”

Alumnus Paul Reshke, BS 82, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, credited Cerf with shifting the direction of his career 32 years ago. He had already landed a job at a big accounting firm when he decided to take Cerf’s tax class during senior year. “Little did I know that class would put a seed in my head, and within five months of starting I moved out of auditing and transferred to tax and ended up making it my career,” Reshke said.
Cerf was born in 1924, to Arthur and Addie Zander Cerf in San Francisco. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1941. In 1944, he graduated from the UC Berkeley, earning his degree when the business school was called the College of Commerce and the dean was E.T. Grether.
Cerf served in the US Navy during World War II. When the war ended, Cerf returned to Harvard, where he earned his MBA in 1947. He then worked at an accounting firm and later at his father’s haberdashery. He received his PhD in economics from Stanford University in 1952.
Cerf and his wife were married for almost 66 years. She was his soulmate, his “sweetheart,” the love of his life, according to the family.
“He was an affectionate father, rare for a man of his generation,” his oldest son said. “His children and grandchildren could see the love he had for them in his eyes and in his hugs. They could sense his love by the way he listened when he called to check in.”
Cerf was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Cerf MD, who also passed away at 93, as did their father, Arthur Cerf. Cerf is survived by his loving and devoted wife, his four sons, one daughter, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. [Names of living family members withheld on this blog.]
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Cerf’s memory to:
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Foundation
P.O. Box 45339
San Francisco, CA 94145-0339
(Note: “In memory of Alan Cerf” in memo line)
Gifts can also be made online at give.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org or by calling 877-499-UCSF.
His family is holding a celebration to honor Cerf’s life Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 from 1:30-3:30pm at Sequoyah Country Club, 4550 Heafey Road in Oakland. The family welcomes all who would like to attend.

Reference:
Haas News, September 7, 2017.

Alan Robert Cerf Obituary




Alan Cerf Obituary
Alan Robert Cerf
Alan Robert Cerf died August 24, 2017 of natural causes at the family home in Piedmont, California at the age of 93. He lived each day with a sense of purpose, authenticity, calm, and love for his wife, family and profession.

Alan was born in 1924, to Arthur and Addie Zander Cerf in San Francisco. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1941. In 1944 he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. Alan attended Harvard Graduate School of Business. He then served in World War II off the coast of Okinawa, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. When the war ended Alan returned to Harvard Graduate School of Business. He graduated with his MBA in 1947. He then went on to work at an accounting firm and later at his father's haberdashery.

Alan received his PhD in economics from Stanford University in 1952. He started his academic career at the University of California, Berkeley. He loved teaching. Alan taught at Berkeley for 62 years.

Alan was the first director of the San Francisco MBA Program. He served as chairman of the Accounting Group in the Business School from 1978 to 1982. He received the Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching and Research from the California CPA Foundation as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Accounting Program at Haas School of Business.

From 1956 to 2017, Alan taught over 13,000 students. Alan assigned a student to lead his classes in calisthenics. This was Alan's way of keeping his classes "hip and happening," as he would say. At 90, Alan's son asked him, "what is the hiring process for a nonagenarian professor?" Alan laughed and said, "the dean looked into my eyes and knew that I still had what it took to teach."

Alan believed that exercise was the key to a long and healthy life. Alan loved his family above all else. Alan and his wife were married for almost 66 years. She was his soul mate, his "sweetheart," the love of his life. He was an affectionate father, rare for a man of his generation. His children and grandchildren could see the love he had for them in his eyes and in his hugs. They could sense his love by the way he listened when he called to check in.

He loved visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When he visited with his great-grandchildren he'd get down on the floor, on his hands and knees, to play with them.

Alan embodied what it meant to be a teacher, friend, compassionate father and grandfather, and a loving husband. We were blessed to have him in our lives.

Alan was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Cerf MD, who also passed away at 93, as did their father, Arthur Cerf. Alan is survived by his loving and devoted wife, his four sons, one daughter, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Alan's memory to Benioff Children's Hospital, 1975 4th St. San Francisco, CA 94158.

His family is holding a celebration to honor Alan's life Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 1:30pm - 3:30pm at Sequoyah Country Club, 4550 Heafey Road Oakland, CA. The family welcomes all who would like to attend.

Note: Names of family members withheld due to my policy on this blog not to mention names of living relatives.

Reference:

Published in the San Francisco Chronicle and posted on Legacy.com.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Ernest Cerf Photos

It's always a delight when old photos and memorabilia turn up as a result of contacting a distant relative. These photos are related to Ernest Cerf, who is the brother of Moise Cerf and the cousin of Aaron Cerf. Thank you to cousin Caleb for the old photos being posted here.

The following family photo was taken about 1895-1897 in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Ernest Cerf and family

The back of the photo is here:

Back of Ernest Cerf family photo

There are some interesting things about the back of the photo. There are several nicknames revealed: Booma for Ernest's wife, Reby for Rebecca, Lotta for Charlotte, and possible Bill for Emile (this is difficult to read and I wrote the "nickname Bill?" notation. The other interesting thing is that someone in the family named Betty had a hoard of photos. I believe she is a granddaughter of Ernest Cerf and daughter of Marcel Cerf. I will try to track down what happened to her family memorabilia.

The photo was taken at the second home Ernest Cerf and his family lived in while in San Luis Obispo. An earlier blog post showed a photo of a house in San Luis Obispo, CA, where Ernest Cerf and his family had lived (See Ernest Cerf's SLO House). That house was sold to Andrew Sauer in the mid-1880's. The family then moved to a new home in San Luis Obispo. They lived there until 1898 when they moved back to San Francisco. Here is a family photo of that home taken in 1895-1897.

Ernest Cerf home, San Luis Obispo, CA

When I received the above photo, there was no street address indicated. I took the photo to the SLO History Library and asked if they knew where the house had been located. They were unable to identify the house, but someone there thought the house was still standing. I drove around the neighborhood where the house might be located and was overjoyed to find it. The address is 644 Islay Street on the corner of Nipomo Street. Here are present-day photos:

644 Islay Street at the corner of Nipomo, San Luis Obispo, CA
644 Islay Street, San Luis Obispo, CA

The next photo is of Bobbette "Boomer" Hirsch Cerf, Ernest's wife.

Bobbette "Boomer" Hirsch Cerf, wife of Ernest Cerf

Finally, but equally fantastic, are three photos of the Cerf house in Phalsbourg, Moselle, France, where Ernest and his brother, Moise, were born.

Cerf house in Phalsbourg, Moselle, France

Cerf house in Phalsbourg, Moselle, France

Cerf house in Phalsbourg, Moselle, France

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Bush Street, San Francisco

Updated photos of the former Aaron Cerf residence at 2102 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA. The family lived there at least from 1903-1908, the year Aaron Cerf died.  The cross street is Webster.







Here is the link to the house photo I posted on an earlier blog, though I was never happy with it because of the scaffolding. Earlier photo.


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Happy Photo

Many photos of older generations were formal and people didn't often smile.

Here is a happy photo of Phoebe Levy Cerf (wife of Aaron Cerf) and her half-sister, Victoire Levy Levy (she married Leon Levy). Victoire is the last child of the shared father, Leopold Libmann Levy.

Victoire and her husband didn't have any children, but she became a favorite of all her nieces and nephews who affectionately called her Auntie Vic.

There's a lot of tenderness in this photo. We can see the affection between the half-sisters.

Half-sisters Victoire Levy Levy and Phoebe Levy Cerf

Another photo is of the half-sisters with one of Phoebe's daughters, Clotilde, all wearing fancy hats.

Clotilde Cerf Rosenberg, Phoebe Levy Cerf, and Victoire Levy Levy

Thank you to Clotilde's granddaughter for the photos.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Louis Rosenberg - Clarisse Cerf Wedding

Two sisters married two brothers. In my last post was the wedding announcement for the younger sister. Here is the second one for Louis Rosenberg and Clarisse Cerf, who were married on December 31, 1887, in Ukiah, California. The sisters are daughters of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf. The wedding was performed by Myer S. Levy of the First Hebrew Congregation of Oakland. The witnesses on the marriage license were Adolph Marks and Marcus Newfield, both residents of Ukiah.

ROSENBERG-CERF

The nuptials of Mr. Louis Rosenberg and Miss Clarisse Cerf were celebrated at the residence of the bride's parents, last evening, the Rev. M. S. Levy, of Oakland, officiating, the ceremony being that of the Sons of Israel. There were but a chosen few of the friends of the family present but the occasion was one of joy and gladness to all. The ceremony and charge to the couple was the most impressive we have ever witnessed, and could not help making better men and women of those who witnessed it. Music was provided by Miss Eva and Master Maurice Hirsch, and was a most commendable feature of the evening's pleasure.

The bride was beautifully dressed in a cream brocaded satin, cut princess style, of walking length. The front of the skirt was formed of wide plaits, separated by wide fans; the right side formed a narrow plaited panel, ornamented with orange blossoms and beautiful cream silk lace; a sash extended from the right side to the left and was caught up in loops forming a graceful sash panel; the back was finished with a full sash drapery of brocade and cream satin; the waist was cut high-necked, the front was trimmed with a plaited plastron [a trimming on the front of the bodice like a cloth breastplate], finished on each side with revers of brocaded satin, sleeves tight fitting, finished with silk lace; straight collar of brocade, closed on left side by a bouquet of orange blossoms; her hair done al a pompadour; the veil was of French faille, caught gracefully from right side of pompadour with orange blossoms.

The following are a list of the presents and their donors:

Plush clock, Mrs. A. J. Weiner.
Silk perfume bag, Mrs. Eager.
Point lace handkerchief, D. Samuels.
Silver fish knife and fork, Mrs. Newfield.
Silver pickle castor, Mrs. S. Wurtenberg.
Set ice cream spoons, E. Cerf and wife.
Set pearl handle knives, Mdme. L. Peres.
Porcelain vases, Miss Ella Scharlach.
French vases, Mrs. E. Messager.
Silver spoons, Levi Strauss.
Silver carvers, Mrs. S. Bachrach.
Silver soup ladle, Moise Cerf and wife.
Silver table spoons, Mrs. Rosenberg.
Silver teaspoons, B. S. Hirsch and wife.
Silver water pitcher, Mr. Lewis and wife.
Silver berry dish, J. S. Hart and wife.
Plush toilet set, Ben Sanderman.
Silver teaspoons, Miss Lizzie English.
Silver cake dish, Mr. Bleue and wife.
Silver cake dish, J. Lando.
Carved marble orn't, B. & M. Schwitzer.
Silver carvers, engraved with monogram S. W. Levy and wife.
Set of silver spoons and cutlery, complete, Mrs. B. Marks.
Silver soup ladle, Hartwick Lammers.
Parlor lamp, J. A. Cooper and wife.
Silver card receiver, T. L. Carothers and wife.
Elegant bronze clock, H. Marks and wife.
Silver spoons, Sachs Brothers.
Plush necktie case, Laz. Rosenberg and wife.
Another equally as pretty, from Miss Tillie Rosenberg.
Satin em. apron, Miss Flora Bernstein.
Plush table scarf, Miss Senderman.
Satin 'kerchief case, Miss Celia Getz.
Crochetted bedspread, Mrs. A. Senderman.
Orange blossoms, Mrs. Fouts.
Hanging lamp, Mrs. Abraham.
Handmade lace skirt, Mrs. Cahn.
Lace curtains, H. Rosenberg.
Elegant water-color family scene, framed, anonymous.
Tea and dinner China set, Mrs. R. Beel.
Parlor lamp, S. M. Beel and wife.
Silver water pitcher, R. McGarvey and wife.
Carved marble ornament, T. Hoffman.
China tea set, J. Greenhood and wife.
Hanging lamp, B. and M. Schweitzer.
Hanging lamp, C. Hofman and wife.
Diamond ring, W. Rosenberg.
Diamond earrings, Ben Rosenberg.
Handsome bed set, Mr. and Mrs. A. Cerf.
Sideboard, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Levy.
Furniture, Mr. Joe Levy and wife.

End of transcription.

References:

Ukiah City Press, 6 Jan 1888, furnished by the Mendocino County Historical Society.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Ben Rosenberg - Clotilde Cerf Wedding

The wedding announcement for Ben Rosenberg and Clotilde Cerf, daughter of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf, appeared in the Mendocino Dispatch-Democrat on November 25, 1892. Below is a transcription.

Rosenberg-Cerf Nuptials

Mr. Ben Rosenberg, of Suisun, formerly a leading merchant of Ukiah, and Miss Clotilde Cerf, a daughter of the well-known proprietor of the Mechanics' Store of this city, were united in marriage on Sunday evening, November 20, 1892, at the residence of the bride's parents, by Rev. M. S. Levy, of San Francisco.

Elaborate preparations had been made for this interesting event, and the supper to which the guests were seated after the ceremony afforded ample evidence that nothing had been forgotten.

The happy couple were the recipients of a large number of elegant presents.

Among the guests were:  Mr. and Mrs. F. Levy and Miss Brunswick, of Half Moon Bay; Mrs. Beet [or Beel], Miss C. Beet [or Beel], Miss May Newfield, Mrs. Schweitzer, Mrs. M. Cerf, Mrs. Messenger and daughter, of San Francisco; Mr. and Mrs. L. Rosenberg, of Suisun; Mr. and Mrs. D. Lobree, of Middletown; W. Rosenberg and Miss M. Rosenberg, of Healdsburg; Mr. and Mrs. L. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. B. S. Hirsch, Mr. and Mrs. C. Hofman and Miss C. Hofman, Mr. and Mrs. S. Wurtenberg and Miss Helen Wurtenberg, Mr. and Mrs. S. Marks, Dr. and Mrs. W. N. Moore, Dr. and Mrs. W. J. Hudson, Mrs. A. Marks, Misses H. and M. Stanfield, Miss Gussie Hargis, Hon. R. McGarvey, and Messrs. Maurice and Mannie Hirsch, of Ukiah.

The bride and groom left on Monday's train for Suisun, where Mr. Rosenberg is engaged in business.

The Dispatch-Democrat extends most hearty congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg.

End of newspaper article.

Marriage License

The marriage license listed the groom's full name as Benjamin Meloitle Rosenberg, age 28, of Suisun, Mendocino County. Rabbi Myer S. Levy performed the marriage, and the witnesses were Fermand Levy of Half Moon Bay and Charles Hoffman of Ukiah.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Lobree-Hofman Wedding

Read about a festive wedding that took place in Ukiah (from a newspaper article in the Mendocino Dispatch Democrat on 16 July 1897, Page 2, Col. 3, sent to me by a Lobree descendant). The groom is the son of Phoebe Levy Cerf’s sister, Fanny Levy Lobree. The bride’s brother, Louis Hofman, would later marry Felice Cerf, the daughter of Aaron and Phoebe Levy Cerf.

THEY RING ONCE MORE

Wedding Bells Foretell the Happiness of a popular Ukiah couple.

“Hear the mellow wedding bells, golden bells,
What a world of happiness their harmony foretells;
Through the balmy air of night,
How they ring out their delight.
From the molten, golden notes,
All in tune,
What a liquid ditty floats
To the turtle dove that listens while she gloats
On the moon.”

The pleasant home of our honored townspeople, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hofman, was converted into a brilliant scene last Sunday evening, the occasion being the marriage of their charming daughter, Miss Celia, to Mr. Elias Lobree, son of D. Lobree, an extensive land owner of Lake county.

The handsome parlors were filled with invited guests, and at 8 o’clock, to the strains of a wedding march played by Miss Lillie Barnett, the bridal party marched through the spacious parlors. Little Miss Aline Rosenberg resembling a fairy in her dainty pink dress, preceded, bearing a cushion of white satin on which was placed the wedding ring. Next came the little Misses Sarah Hofman, Judith Lobree and Camille Rosenberg, quaintly dressed in white Kate Greenaway costumes, who gracefully separated the long streamers of pink satin ribbon suspended from the arch under which the bridal couple were to stand. They were followed by Miss Felice Cerf and Mr. Louis Hofman, Mrs. C. Hofman and Mr. Henry Hofman, mother and uncle of the bride; then came the bride on the arm of her father. She was met at the bow window by the groom attended by his aunt, Mrs. A. Cerf, of Ukiah, and his father, Mr. D. Lobree, of Middletown.

In the most impressive manner the Rev. M. S. Levy, of San Francisco, performed the ceremony which made them man and wife. Those who had never before witnessed the Hebrew wedding ceremony were much impressed by its beauty and solemnity. The knot being firmly tied, the many friends pressed forward and showered upon them their congratulations and best wishes for their future welfare.

The guests then repaired to the supper room where were spread tables of edibles worthy of hospitality of the bride’s parents. Mr. Hofman’s spacious warehouse had been cleared and decorated with a profusion of palms, ferns and ivy; pink bunting prettily draped, formed the background, and long streamers of the bunting, drawn through loops of ivy and interspersed with pink Japanese lanterns made a very pretty and picturesque appearance.

Toasts were responded to by a number of the guests. Those most worthy of mention being the beautiful and fitting remarks by Rev. Levy, followed by Mr. W. W. Cunningham, Mr. Henry Hofman, Mr. Newfield, Mr. Lobree, father of the groom, and Mrs. Haskett, the first teacher of the bride.

A pretty reminder, bearing the best wishes of the relatives and friends from a distance, were the fifty telegrams read by the Rev. Levy during the supper.

After long lingering over the tables the guests returned to the parlors, which had been beautifully decorated with palms, ferns and flowers. The bow window in which the bridal couple stood was hung with garlands of pink and white sweet peas, maiden hair ferns and streamers of pink ribbon. A large placque of these flowers suspended by a lovers knot of the ribbon hung from the ceiling in front of the window forming a very pretty canopy.

The pretty bride looked extremely charming and girlish in a handsome white silk embroidered in lovers knots and trimmed in white chiffon which formed the high, square neck and shirred sleeves. She wore no gloves but rushes of the chiffon fell over the hand. A long tulle veil and bridal wreath, worn by her mother twenty-three years before, completed this dainty toilette. She carried a large bouquet of bride’s roses on her arm which, later in the evening she threw among the young ladies present, the one fortunate enough to catch it being Miss Mabel Hirsch.

The bride’s maids were attired in white and carried bouquets of pink sweet peas and carnations.

The happy couple departed on the early train Monday morning to spend a few weeks in San Francisco and neighboring towns.

They are very popular in the social circles of Ukiah and their many friends will be pleased to welcome them home.

Following is a list of the numerous and elegant presents received:

From the uncle of the bride, Mr. H. Hofman, of San Francisco, a magnificent oaken vase of solid silver, complete for table use, consisting of fifty seven pieces. Handsome tea table and parlor chair, Mr. and Mrs. A. Cerf and family of Ukiah. Case solid silver creamer, sugar caddy and one-half dozen individual butters, Mr. and Mrs. I. Haas, Grass Valley.

Case of one dozen spoons, butter knife and sugar spoon, Mr. L. Buff, of San Francisco. Case containing silver olive fork, sugar spoon and butter knife, Mr. and Mrs. Meyerstein, San Francisco. Elegant silver oyster dish, Mr. and Mrs. M. Hofman, Winnemucca, Nevada. Steel engraving, “Charming,” Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Steindler, San Francisco. Case of one dozen gold lined teaspoons, H. Steindler, San Francisco. Silver service of tea pot, cream jug and sugar bowl, M. Aronson, New Whatcom, Wash. Gold and silver olive spoon, N. and E. Nathan, Chehalis, Wash. Solid silver hair brush and comb, H. and Ed Nathan, Grass Valley. Silver and gold cold meat fok, Mr. and Mrs. S. Hartman, Chehalis, Wash. Case of one dozen pearl handled fruit knives, Mrs. Eva Dattlezwaig, Chicago, Ill.  Hand painted chamois cushion top, Misses B. and S. Schmermacher, St. Louis, Mo. White ostrich feather fan, Mr. and Mrs. Rosenthal, San Francisco. Delft sofa cushion, Miss Levy, San Francisco. Case black coffee spoons and sugar tongs gold enameled in blue for-get-me-nots, Mr. and Mrs. L. Lasky, Woodland, Cal. Elegant set table linen, Mrs. S. Goodman and son, San Francisco. Handsome point d esprit bed set, Mrs. B. Nathan and daughter, San Francisco. Combination sugar jar and spoon, Mr. and Mrs. N. Sneider, Marysville, Cal. Set silver teaspoons, Mr. and Mrs. L. Abrams. Pearl handled serving set, Mr. and Mrs. Dattlezwaig, Chicago, Ill. Onyx and gold table, Mr. and Mrs. J. Brown, Alameda. Hand painted china bon bon dish, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Block, S. F. Elegant mahogany pedestal and urn, Mr. and Mrs. Steinfels, S. F. Irish point lace bed spread and shams, Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Kohlberg, S. F. Embroidered satin sofa cushion, Mr. and Mrs. Steindler, San Francisco. From Mr. and Mrs. M. Lasky, of Woodland, uncle and aunt of the bride, a check. Onyx and wrought iron stand, Mr. and Mrs. L. Levy, S. F. Handsome fur rug, Mr. and Mrs. L. Lobree, Covelo, Cal. Lace bed and pillow shams, Mr. and Mrs. Abe Liebman, Chicago, Ill. Elegant parlor rocker, Mr. and Mrs. L. and B. Rosenberg, Ukiah. Silver sugar spoon, Mr. and Mrs. Newfield, S. F. Gold lined sauce ladle, Mr. and Mrs. S. Marks, Ukiah. Book of Wordsworth’s poems, Mr. and Mrs. Haskell. Set of silver berry forks, the Misses Handy. Gold lined pie spoon, Mr. and Mrs. B. S. Hirsch, Ukiah. Set silver nut picks and nut crackers, Mrs. Rena Shattuck and Miss Harris. Silver spoon holder and creamer, Mr. and Mrs. J. Jamison. Gold lined berry spoon, Misses Eva and Mabel Hirsch. Silver pickle castor, Mrs. J. R. Barnett and daughters. Silver salad fork and spoon, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Cooper. Silver berry dish, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Jamison. Parlor chair and fancy work basket, Mrs. Schapp. Vase of paper flowers, Mr. and Mrs. Gunsky. Jar of waterlillies, Mr. and Mrs. T. Charlton.


A Guest.

Monday, December 31, 2012

Alaska Connection

A branch of the Cerf family settled in Alaska. Two daughters of Clarisse Cerf and her husband, Samuel Louis Rosenberg, who were also granddaughters of Aaron Cerf and his wife, Phoebe Levy Cerf, raised their families in Juneau, Alaska. Older sister, Camille Fannie Rosenberg, who was married to Alvin Goldstein, welcomed younger sister, Aline Rosenberg, and her husband, Charles Warner, to Alaska. I'm not sure of the years of their arrival, but Camille and Alvin's daughter was born in Juneau in 1916.

We are lucky to have a published article written by the son of Charles and Aline Rosenberg Warner about his memories of growing up and living in Juneau. The son, Peter Charles Warner, was adopted by the Warners. His name at birth was Samuel Moloff.  After graduating from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1939, Peter Charles Warner attended Oregon State College, earning a business degree. Following his parents' death, he turned his family's South Franklin Street machine shop into what was later known as Warner's Marine located at Warner's Wharf. 


Peter Charles Warner, born Samuel Moloff


Here is the article that appeared in the published book, Gastineau Channel Memories, 1880-1959. It is also posted on the Juneau Parks and Recreation website [http://www.juneau.org/parkrec/museum/forms/GCM/readarticle.php?UID=789&newxtkey=].

"I was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 15, 1921, to Russian Jewish immigrants. I was their only child. Four years later I was orphaned and was adopted by Aline and Charles Warner and was taken to live in far off Juneau, Alaska. The Warners had lost a baby boy at birth sometime before, and were then unable to have any more children of their own. They were wonderful people. As I understand it, he was in charge of the construction of the Salmon Creek dam and I know he was an outstanding machinist and engineer. They met when she was visiting her sister, Camille, who had married Alvin Goldstein, older son of the pioneer Juneau family of Charles and Laura Goldstein.

By the time of my arrival in Juneau, my father was owner of the Charles Warner Machine Shop located at 406 S. Franklin Street. They catered to the fishing fleets located in Juneau, Hoonah, Angoon and to some extent, Kake. 

My earliest recollection of my life in Juneau was an automobile ride given to my mother and me by U.S. Marshall McCloskey. The rifle he kept in his car really impressed me! I remember going on a picnic with my mother and Ina Lucas and her son, Lee. We were at Mendenhall Glacier and there seemed to be ice everywhere.

In those days, South Franklin Street was dominated by the A.J. Mine, the Juneau Sawmill, the Juneau Cold Storage, whore houses and bars. As a small boy, I would go to the machine shop to walk home with my mother, who was office manager for the business. I often wondered what the ladies were doing sitting in the windows with their nightie gowns on.

The people of South Franklin were a varied bunch. Roy and Juanita Rutherford owned the Juneau Lumber Company and lived in a nice house on the premises with their daughters, Florence and Dorothy. They were very good friends of ours. Jack Dalton, machinist at the sawmill was a very likable person. For me, there was only one horse in the whole world, and that was “Old Dick” at the sawmill. Then there was Wallis George of the Juneau Cold Storage. He was very instrumental in creating the Baranof Hotel. Also connected to the Cold Storage was Elton Engstrom, fishbuyer, a very flamboyant personality and politician. There was also Tom Morgan of the Columbia Lumber Company, who promoted a plywood mill on South Franklin that burned down about the day after it opened. Marshall Erwin was one of Juneau’s leading grocers, and one of the first to relocate out by the airport.

Which reminds me of the day at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon when the dairymen showed up as a group to protest the importation of milk from the lower 48 by local grocers. None of us could foresee the results of this, but I am sure it wasn’t very long before most of them realized that there was better money to be made in real estate than getting up at the crack of dawn to milk cows.

Changing with the times has always been part of things in life and in business. Through the years, Warner’s went from doing repair work on commercial boats to selling boats and motors to weekend sport fisherman. One day Dick Garrison came into my office and said, “Pete, why don’t you retire from this rat race?” And to make a long story short, I did.

A year or so later I left Juneau with my then wife, Lorene. We went to Seattle on my 28 foot Tollycraft. By then I was 52. Since then Lorene has passed away and I am remarried and today, at age 79, I live in Florida. About every year I go to Anchorage where my first wife, the former Audrey Feero, lives with her present husband. My daughter and two sons live there and I have six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

I have been in Juneau several times and think the town looks great. South Franklin Street is outstanding and people should appreciate their terrific tourist business."  [end of article]

Peter Charles Warner died in 2007 in Delray Beach, FL. In his obituary, he is remembered fondly by his family:


"He treasured his family and friends and was loved by many. As a young man, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and writing. One of his more memorable hunting trips published in Alaska magazine's Selected Alaska Hunting and Fishing Tales (reprinted from Alaska Sportsman May 1952) was called Bucks and Ducks at Gambier Bay. He exclaimed, 'How lucky we are, we who live in Southeastern Alaska! Few of us would trade our heritage of wilderness mountains and sheltered waters.'

As an avid outdoorsman and traveler, he loved life and lived it to the fullest. His love to entertain and have a good time led him to play Chief Klake in the beginning days of Hoochinoo and Hotcake and clear many a dance floor as he tangoed with his partner. Whether it is hunting, fishing, boating or an occasional hug, he created many a fond memory for his children, grandchildren and friends. He will be missed." [end of excerpt from obituary]

Peter Warner's son said he and his siblings feel very fortunate that their father was adopted by the Warners as they cared well for Peter and gave him the means to prosper in life.