Bernard Spilka
US Army Air Force veteran and former DU professor Bernard Spilka passed away on May 23, 2025, at the age of 99. A service was held on May 26 at Feldman Mortuary, with interment at Mt. Nebo Memorial Park. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born in 1945 in the Bronx, New York, Mr. Spilka joined the Army Air Force in 1945 as a medic. While at the Combat Crew Training Research Lab at Randolph Field, Texas, he met Ellen Scharlack. They were married and were a couple for 71 years before Mr. Spilka’s passing.
Mr. Spilka joined DU in 1958 and became a full professor of psychology in 1961. He became president of the Rocky Mountain and Colorado Psychological Association in 1967-68 and was president of the American Psychological Asson., division 36.
Family members say: “Bernie was a voracious reader with an astonishing memory. He comfortably insulated the house and himself with bookshelves filled with over 16,000 books.
“His specialty was psychology, but his hobby was paleontology , , , at least the rocks couldn’t talk back.
“When asked if he had any regrets, Bernie responded that there was not enough time to learn all that he desired.”
Survivors are Mr. Spilka’s wife Ellen; children Edward (Jenny) Spilka, David (Marilyn) Spilka and Joan (Ira Goldschmidt) Spilka; grandchildren Raquel (Eitan Bernstein) Spilka, Naomi (Matt Lindsay) Spilke and Nathaniel (Dalia Bauman) Spilka; and five great grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the Bernard Spilka Endowed Scholarship Fund at DU.
Harvey Friedentag
US Air Force veteran Harvey Friedentag died on June 5, 2025. A private service was held on June 11 at Fort Logan Cemetery.
Born in New York on July 19, 1933, Mr. Friedentag attended The School Of The Arts and studied photography. He served in the Air Force and was a photographer for the armed forces in Japan during the Korean War.
In 1953, Mr. Friedentag married Beverly Wieseltier on December 18, 1953. They were a couple until Mrs. Friedentag’s passing in July, 2007.
Mr. Friedentag had a successful career as an investment advisor.
“Harvey had a very unique sense of humor and a love for investing,” his family said. “He authored three books and taught himself how to invest and make money from options trading.”
Survivors are children Jill Friedentag, Perry Friedentag and David Friedentag; grandchildren David Starrett (Megan) Orr, Jr., Paige Friedentag and Parker (Jade) Friedentag; and great-grandchildren Henry Orr, Emily Orr and Sam Parsons.
© IJN 2025
