In Memoriam

By Amy Chen and Melissa Lambarena

Jeannie Abrams, administrative assistant for UCLA Summer Sessions died in Los Angeles Tuesday, Nov. 13, following a brief illness. She was 53. The Cal State Northridge graduate began her career at UCLA in 1982 as an administrative assistant. During her 25 years as a campus employee, Abrams worked with numerous students and their parents to solve any problem brought to her attention. She used her self-taught Spanish to engage bilingual students and staff.

Assistant Provost of Academic Program Development David Unruh of Summer Sessions described her as "a dear friend and colleague to all of us. She had a remarkably positive effect on everyone she touched. ... Jeannie approached each day with characteristically good cheer and optimism. Our days were often brightened by Jeannie's ever present smile and her positive comments about people, places and life in general. It is that quality of Jeannie's personality that we will miss most with her passing."

Hadley Dick, graduate adviser for the Department of History, remembers "she was a very generous and caring person. This was exhibited in the workplace in how she cared for students. ... She was a character with a unique perspective – there aren't enough people like that so I will miss her even more because of this."

Outside of the campus, Jeannie performed extensive volunteer work for the homeless and numerous charities throughout Los Angeles. Those close to Abrams suggest that anyone wishing to make a memorial donation can give to one of her favorite nonprofits in her honor, the Lange Foundation, an animal rescue center: www.langefoundation.com

Felice Dee Kurtzman, who taught nutrition education to medical students and athletes since 1983, died on Saturday, Nov. 3, following a 14-month battle with cancer. She was 52.

Kurtzman graduated from UCLA in 1977 with a B.A degree in biology.

In 1991, Kurtzman joined the UCLA sports medicine staff as the official nutritionist for the Athletic Department. During her 25 year-career at UCLA, she also taught medical and dental students as a lecturer for the Department of Biological Chemistry. Her impact extended to UCLA Extension, where she taught and was instrumental in the creation of the Fitness Instruction Certificate program, and to the Student Health Service, where she was the first registered dietician on staff.

Pam Viele, director of student health education, said Kurtzman played "an inspirational, often transformational, role in the lives of the thousands of UCLA students she taught, counseled, mentored, guided and befriended." Despite her suffering due to cancer, Viele said, "she remained intensely connected to and invested in lives of those she loved."

Kurtzman was more than a nutritionist to the student athletes she worked with. Gymnastics head coach Valorie Kondos Field said, "She was truly a mentor, a confidante and a visionary. Her specialty was truly caring for the individual as a whole, and not just as an athlete. ... Our student athletes found someone who cared for them as individual people."

"Felice was one of the most caring, understanding, patient people I have ever gotten to know," said Ashley Peckett, the gymnastic team's assistant coach and a former team member. "Felice taught me not only to better myself through improved nutrition, but inspired us to live better each day with her strong, enthusiastic personality and example."

Football senior defensive lineman Kevin Brown was also touched by her compassion. "Felice was a wonderful person. ... She represented strength, persistence and will. ... She was passionate about her job and the people who came in contact with her. The year I was injured, Felice was my No. 1 supporter and really helped me get through a very difficult time in my life. She took great interest in seeing that I overcame [the] obstacle. ... Her impact on my life will stay with me forever."

Alfred Aboya, junior basketball member, recalled that Kurtzman wanted "to cook for me, but cancer never gave her the time necessary to make this happen." Aboya then directed this message to her: "For everything you did, and for things that you were not able to do, the whole basketball team, through my words, say 'THANK YOU.' "

Funeral services were held Nov. 5 at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles. She is survived by her husband Josef Istrin; sons Zachary, J.J. and Mathew Istring; mother Selma Kurtzman; and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Rosalind C. Scherer, director of student relations at the UCLA Alumni Association, died Nov. 7 in Los Angeles after a brief illness. She was 61. She helped expand the alumni scholarships program to provide more than $1 million a year to deserving UCLA students. Scherer also set up the service component of the program, which requires alumni scholars donate service hours back to the university.

She was a Gold Shield, Alumnae of UCLA, an organization of women who have been selected for their loyalty to UCLA and outstanding professional achievements in their communities.

Scherer graduated from UCLA in 1976 with a B.A. degree in history. She went on to earn a master's degree in nonprofit management from the University of Judaism. In 2000, she began working as director of student relations at the UCLA Alumni Association and became involved with both the Alumni Scholars Club as well as the Student Alumni Association.

According to her colleagues, Scherer was the backbone of the club. "This was not just a job for Roz. She believed in her work, and it showed in everything she did," said George Brown, assistant director, who worked closely with Scherer.

Scherer served as adviser and role model to approximately 700 alumni scholars. According to staff, her commitment to students was deep, enduring and fiercely maternal. A loyal team member, she also filled the role of a trustworthy advisor to two executive directors and staff members.

Scherer worked diligently to strengthen the personal connections between alumni scholars and donors, other alumni and others. Under her direction, the scholars founded their own scholarship, to which they contributed as students. She also spearheaded the 70th anniversary celebration of the alumni scholarship program in 2006.

"When I come upon the toughest of life's obstacles and I don't immediately know how to navigate, ... I immediately think about Roz and what she would do if she were in my situation," said Alumni Scholars Club president Matt Atkin. "She always had such a cool head about conflict and how to deal with difficult situations. I really admired her for that."

She leaves behind her husband, Ron and son, Robert. The Alumni Association and the Alumni Scholars Club have organized an oncampus memorial on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the James West Alumni Center Conference Room. In the spirit of what she loved, attendees are being asked to wear blue and gold.

Her family requests that memorial contributions can be made to UCLA Alumni Scholarships at the James West Alumni Center, Los Angeles, California.