Rehabilitative audiology pioneer and founding member of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Littleton, Dr. Jerome Alpiner died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 90. A celebration of life is being planned. Shalom Funeral Home/Horan McConaty is handling the arrangements.
Born on April 19, 1932, in Massilion, Ohio, Dr. Alpiner received his bachelor’s degree at Heidelberg College, his master’s from Case Western Reserve and his PhD from Ohio University. He served in the US Army for two years before starting his career in the speech and audiology field.
Dr. Alpiner was assistant chief of audiology and speech pathology at Cleveland Veterans’ Administration Hospital. He later became professor and chairman of the Dept. of Speech Pathology and Audiology at DU, before moving to the University of Mississippi as chairman of the Communication Science and Disorders Dept.
After leaving academia, Dr. Alpiner returned to Colorado in the early 1990s to lead the Speech and Hearing Dept. of Porter Hospital. He later accepted a position with the VA Hospital in Denver.
Dr. Alpiner and his wife Judy were married in 1955. They met while at Ohio University, and were married until Mrs. Alpiner’s passing in 1981. Dr. Alpiner married his second wife, Victoria, in 1984. They remained a couple until Dr. Alpiner’s passing.
Dr. Alpiner was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his professional contributions. He was a past president of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology.
“He helped thousands of people, young and old, hear better and lead happier and more productive lives,” his family said.
“When Jerry retired, he continued to help others with their hearing needs as a volunteer at Friends of Man and at Hear Now,” his family added. “Jerry’s expertise lives on in the many college textbooks he authored.
“Despite the many successes and the accolades he received throughout his career, he remained humble, thoughtful, empathetic and compassionate. He instilled in his children solid core values, a remarkable work ethic, honesty, integrity and punctuality.”
Survivors are Dr. Alpiner’s wife Victoria; children Steve Alpiner, Susan Stewart, Sharon (Dan) Cutler and David Alpiner. He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Judy, son-in-law Bill Stewart, daughter-in-law Carol Alpiner; and sister and brother-in-law Rosetta and Raymond Wilcof.
Contributions may be made to Friends of Man.
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