US Army veteran and former Denver resident Herman Markowitz passed away on February 11, 2025, at the age of 97. A service was held on February 13 at Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka, Minn., officiated by Rabbi Aaron Weininger. Washburn-McReavy handled the arrangements.
A native of Minneapolis, Minn., and born on January 5, 1928, Mr. Markowitz attended the University of Minnesota, earning a master’s in social work.
Mr. Markowitz served in the US Army in 1945-46 before embarking on a career with numerous Jewish agencies, including as assistant executive director of the Denver JCC in 1958-62, during which time it made its historic move from 16th and Williams in Capitol Hill to its current location.
After a three-year interruption while serving as executive director of the JCC in Oakland, Calif., Mr. Markowitz returned to Colorado to become executive director of Denver’s JCC in 1965.
From 1958-1962, Mr. Markowitz was also director of the JCC Ranch Camp.
In August, 1951, Mr. Markowitz married Nancy Stein. They lived in Denver in 1958-62 and 1965-1977, and were a couple until Mrs. Markowitz’s passing in October, 2020.
Mr. Markowitz was executive vice chair of the United Israel Appeal, 1988-94. He also worked at the Jewish federations in Minneapolis and Phoenix, and was active with the Jewish Welfare Board.
“Herman and his family loved the Denver community,” Mr. Markowitz’s family said. “He led a very impactful life on so many personal and professional levels.
Mr. Markowitz lived in St. Louis Park, Minn. at the time of his death.
Survivors are daughters Joy (Rick Eisen) Markowitz, Lauri (Nathan Shaffer) Markowitz and Diane (Mark Reaman) Markowitz; grandchildren Elana (Amanda Torres) Eisen-Markowitz, Jack (Nora Toiv) Eisen-Markowitz, Rachel Shaffer, Jeremy Shaffer, Ben (Taylor) Reaman and Sam Reaman; and four great-grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to The Robert Loup Scholarship Fund of the JCC Denver Ranch Camp.
© IJN 2025
