Condolences to the family of Marilyn Braunstein, 93, who died on February 10 in her hone in Allentown, Penn. She was the wife of Nathan M. Braunstein (deceased 2019) for 68 years. She was the daughter of the late Victor and Anna Kobrovsky, and sister of the late Norman Kobrovsky. Marilyn’s life was a testimony of dedication to her family, her friends, her community, and her people. Service to these was marked by her presidency of the Allentown Chapter of Hadassah, vice presidency of Hadassah’s Eastern Region, presidency and campaign chairperson of the Allentown Jewish Federation.
She is survived by daughters, Cherie Zettlemoyer (Rick), Laurie Horton, and Amy McCoy (Greg); grandchildren, Evan, Jesse, Dan, Amber, Brett, Eve, Caleb, Dylan and Jake; great grandchildren, Aria, Josephine, Elijah, Anna, Ava and Madelyn; caregivers Debra Ann Brown, Yolanda Shackford, Ronia Makdessi, Leigh Deese, Nadine Monteverde, and Laura Garcia.
Tributes may be made in Marilyn's memory to West End Synagogue or Jewish Family Service.
Condolences to the family of Robert Louis "Bob" Mode, 83, who died on January 23. Bob was an art historian by profession and passion. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 26, 1940, to Arthur and Ruth (Rosenthaler) Mode. His father modernized the family business, Mode Furniture, while his mother was a female pioneer in the field of public relations and marketing. Bob attended Walnut Hills High School, where he and his brother, Arthur (Art), excelled in their academic pursuits. Art grew up to become a psychiatrist, while Bob pursued a career in the humanities. His first introduction to the arts came through his parents, who took their sons to performances of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, plays at the Albee Theater and exhibitions at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Bob earned a bachelor's degree in English at the University of Rochester, and a master's degree and a doctorate in the history of art at the University of Michigan. In 1967, while working on his dissertation and teaching a summer course at Washington University in St. Louis, Bob met the love of his life, artist Carol Ann Levin, who was studying painting there. After marrying and completing their degrees, they relocated to Venice, Italy, where Bob worked under terms of a Fulbright Fellowship and Carol painted and learned to cook Italian food. Italy became a cherished destination for the couple throughout their lives. Bob was recruited to the faculty at Vanderbilt University by F. Hamilton Hazlehurst, the head of the Department of History of Art and Architecture, who later became Bob's mentor and friend.
Bob began teaching at Vanderbilt in the fall of 1968 and, over an illustrious career that spanned 45 years, mentored and educated thousands of students before retiring in 2013. He served as department chair, director of graduate studies, and director of undergraduate studies for the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt. In addition, he was active in public art issues with the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies, the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy at Vanderbilt, and avidly supported the artists and arts institutions of the Nashville community. A rigorous researcher and scholar of Italian Renaissance art, Bob wrote foundational articles that helped to define the field. His work was published in art history journals. Later in his career, he expanded his research to include 18th-century British art, particularly as it pertained to the artist William Hogarth. He was beloved by students and colleagues alike and known for his intellect, approachability, and good humor.
In Europe, he frequently researched art, guided Vanderbilt Study Abroad trips, and led alumni historical tours. With his family he shared his love of culture through vacations to historic locales and museums. The expression "When you love what you do, you never work a day in your life" never carried such weight.
Bob's wife and children were the light of his life
In addition to his wife, Carol, of 59 years, He is survived by his daughter, Emily R. Mode (wife Sally J. Berger), son, Daniel P. Mode (wife Laura A. Schulthies), brother, Arthur S. Mode, cousin P.J. Mode, extended family, close family friends, and the Nashville arts community.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery or to Nashville Classical Radio WPLN or toward scholarships for the Vanderbilt Department of History of Art and Architecture.
Condolences to the family of Cindy Scherr, who died on January 31.
Survivors include Cindy's brother-in-law, Stanley Scherr, and other members of her family. Cindy lived in Gaithersburg, Md., and was predeceased by her husband, David Scherr, and brother-in-law, Robert Scherr.
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