Dr. Jerome Alpiner
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.
Joel Horwitz
Longtime Denver resident Joel Horwitz died on November 8, 2022 in New York City. He was 81. No service was planned. Menorah Chapels is handling the arrangements.
A native of Chicago, Ill., Mr. Horwitz attended Stanford University and earned a degree in philosophy. He moved to Denver in the early 1970s and ran his business, Cherry Creek Associates, in which Mr. Horwitz was a representative for manufacturers of tabletop crystal, china dishes and flatware.
In 1966 Mr. Horwitz married Fern Gilbert; they divorced in 1986.
Mr. Horwitz was an avid baseball fan, loyal to his hometown Chicago White Sox and his adopted home’s Colorado Rockies. Game one of the 1959 World Series between the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers was a lasting memory.
“On his hospital bed, my father deeply appreciated listening to the recording of this game,” said Michelle Horwitz, Mr. Horwitz’s daughter. “He became laser focused and was transported to his living room in 1959 at 18 years old, watching the game televised live. In the hospital, he didn’t want any distractions from a play and wanted to hear the game highlights at the end.”
Mr. Horwitz was also a world traveler. “He explored five continents and made sure to visit all 50 US states,” the family said. “In young adulthood he could be found in the skies piloting his Mooney aircraft.”
Survivors are daughters Elizabeth (a former IJN intern) and Michelle Horwitz; grandson Alan Weintraub; and sister Jane Horwitz.
Contributions may be made to the “Inside Alive” Foundation or the National Baseball Hall of Fame Foundation.
Michael Skolkin
Denver native Michael Skolkin passed away on January 25, 2023, at the age of 70. A service was held on January 30 at Feldman Mortuary, with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Emily Hyatt. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mr. Skolkin was born in Denver on July 26, 1952. He grew up in Los Angeles, Calif., graduated from UCLA and lived in Hawaii and Minnesota prior to moving to Omaha, Neb., where he operated his insurance sales company.
In November, 1985, Michael and Andrea Skolkin were married; they remained a couple until Mr. Skolkin’s passing.
“He was a kind man with a big sense of humor,” his family said, “that will be deeply missed and treasured in his family and friends’ memory forever.”
Survivors are Mr. Skolkin’s wife Andrea; children Marlee Skolkin and Maddison Skolkin; and cousin Marion Wolfson.
Contributions may be made to OneWorld Community Health Centers or the Rose Blunkin Home, both in Omaha.
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