1954
Bennett L. Aaron, attorney, Philadelphia, on June 1, 2026. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Aaron graduated from the Law School in 1957, moved to Philadelphia and spent the next six decades focusing on estate planning, gift taxation, probate and trust law. He was heavily involved in Jewish philanthropy and advocacy both in Philadelphia and internationally as president of the Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia, chair of the United Israel Appeal for the United Jewish Appeal and chief volunteer officer for the Jewish Federations of North America. Aaron was also an avid tennis player and traveler and attended four Olympic Games. He met Carol Perlmann at his parents’ summer camp in Pennsylvania and they married in 1955. In addition to her, he is survived by his children Marjorie (Richard), Morris (Carrie) and Steven (Lisa); and eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Roberta.
Edmund J. Cantilli, civil engineer, West Hempstead, N.Y., on July 26, 2025. Born in New York City to Italian immigrants, Cantilli joined the Army near the end of WWII and was stationed in Germany and Italy during the post-war occupation. He met his wife, Nella, in Trieste, Italy, and they married in 1948. Cantilli returned to NYC in 1950 to attend the College on the G.I. Bill and earned a second bachelor’s, from Columbia Engineering, in 1955 and a Ph.D. from what is now NYU in 1972. He worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey before becoming a professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and eventually founding his own transportation consulting firm. Cantilli also established the Institute for Safety in Transportation. He enjoyed travel, particularly to Italy, and spoke Italian, French and German fluently. He was predeceased by his wife in 2010 and is survived by his children, Robert, John, Teresa and Duane Brooks.
1955
Gerald M. Pomper, political scientist, Highland Park, N.J., on May 21, 2026. Pomper earned a Ph.D. from Princeton in 1959 and taught at City College before joining Rutgers in 1962. He stayed for nearly six decades and continued mentoring students even after his 2021 retirement. Pomper authored or co-authored 22 books; was a Fulbright professor at Tel-Aviv University, Oxford and Australian National University; and was presented a lifetime achievement award from the American Political Science Association. He was predeceased by his first wife, Marlene, in 2013. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Bergelson; children, Marc (Rayna), David (Erika) and Miles ’89, SIPA’91; five grandchildren; and his dog.
1958
Albert S. Braverman, physician, New York City, on May 23, 2026. Braverman earned an M.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and published research on thalassemia, sickle cell and breast cancer. He was a professor at SUNY Downstate for more than 40 years and maintained close relationships with his students and fellows. He also ran the Brooklyn Free Clinic, which provides services for uninsured patients. Braverman participated in voter registration drives in the South during the Civil Rights Movement and protested against the Vietnam War as an Army doctor, eventually testifying for the defense during the trial of the Chicago Seven. He is survived by his wife, Daisy GSAS’73 (neé Sadaka); children, Alice Swenson (Paul) and Michael (Amber); three grandchildren; and brother, Richard.
William F. Claire, writer, Lewes, Del., on Feb. 17, 2026. Claire was a reporter for
STARS AND STRIPES in Korea and Japan and a speechwriter for the Pentagon during the Kennedy administration. He also worked with Rep. Silvio Conte (R-Mass.) and founded his own consulting firm. Claire recorded his poems for the Library of Congress and published poems, essays and reviews in more than 50 publications. He is survived by his partner of 45 years, Sue Ellis; son, Mark (Aubrey Zerkle); and one great-niece.
Joe P. Poe, professor, New Orleans, on May 26, 2026. Poe was born in Forrest City, Ark., and spent most of his childhood in Little Rock. He earned a master’s in 1959 from Cornell and a Ph.D. in 1966 from GSAS. Poe taught for two years at UT Austin and for one at UC Berkeley. In 1965, he arrived in New Orleans to begin what became a distinguished 47-year career as a faculty member in Tulane’s classical studies department. He retired in 2012. Poe was recognized internationally among classicists for the breadth and originality of his work. He published monographs and articles on Greek drama, Latin elegiac poetry, the Aeneid, Senecan tragedy and Roman topography.
1959
George Asch, financial consultant, New York City, on April 21, 2026. Asch graduated from Horace Mann, and then served in the Navy for two years in New Orleans before joining Ashton Hosiery, the company he inherited from his father in 1961. Asch transitioned to a career in finance; he retired from Offit Capital. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Louis and Harold Price Foundation, Temple Emanu-El and Montefiore Hospital. He loved dining at his favorite restaurants, traveling and spending time with his family, and had a weakness for chocolate and the Jets. Asch is survived by his wife, Cissy; daughters, Jill Levenson (Jeff) and Elizabeth (Dan Treinish); sister, Joan Greene; and two grandchildren.
1960
Werner L. Polak, attorney, Tarrytown, N.Y., on Feb. 4, 2026. Polak was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States with his family during WWII. He grew up in Woodstock, N.Y., and enlisted in the Army after graduating from Kingston H.S. Polak earned a J.D. from the Law School in 1963. He joined Sherman & Sterling, where he practiced for 39 years until his retirement from the firm. He continued to practice as in-house counsel for Linde. Polak was also on the Practicing Law Institute’s Board of Trustees and was passionate about giving back, especially mentoring younger attorneys at his firm. He also enjoyed skiing and cheering on the Lions, particularly the men’s basketball team, and the Green Bay Packers. Polak is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and children, Deborah and Douglas.
1961
Joseph J. Sheveck, engineer, Fishkill, N.Y., on April 30, 2026. Sheveck earned a bachelor’s, master’s and professional certificate from Columbia Engineering in 1962, 1965 and 1969, respectively. He worked at IBM for three decades and was VP of Western Remote Systems until shortly before his death. Sheveck was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Institute of Industrial Engineers; he received a professional achievement award from the latter in 1966. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorinda (neé Dubetsky); sons, Jay (Vicki) and Joel (Dawn); and one grandson.
1963
Robert M. Bilenker, pediatrician, Beachwood, Ohio, on Sept. 23, 2025. Bilenker was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and earned an M.D. from the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He completed a pediatrics residency in Cleveland before serving two years in the Navy and then joining Case Western’s MetroHealth as a developmental pediatrician. Bilenker was a member of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation and loved classical music, reading, birding and cheering on Cleveland’s Guardians and Cavaliers. He sang in the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for 19 years and enjoyed trips to theater festivals, Israel, Italy and Alaska, among other destinations. Bilenker is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara; children, Joshua (Stephanie) and Jennifer (Joshua Greenberg); siblings, Ellen Lebofsky (Martin) and Arthur (Teri Schick); brother-in-law, Maynard Rabinowitz; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister Judith Rabinowitz.
1968
Ernest B. Gilman, professor, New York City, on July 3, 2026. Gilman earned a Ph.D. from GSAS in 1976 and was a professor of English at NYU. He lectured and conducted seminars on the literature and poetry of the English Renaissance. Gilman’s books were groundbreaking studies of the ways optics, perspective drawing and diseases like the plague and tuberculosis influenced literature, poetry and drama. He is survived by his partner, Lois; two children; and two granddaughters.
1969
J. Christopher Jensen, attorney, New York City, on Sept. 29, 2025. Jensen used his sharp intellect, calm demeanor and gift for public speaking to help his many clients. He chaired Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman for many years and most recently was general counsel of Pharmasphere. Jensen was particularly proud of his pro bono work; in one instance, he represented Edward Lee Elmore, whom he helped free from death row. Jensen is survived by his wife, Gail; daughters, Heather ’96 and Meredith (Jonathan Bettencourt); and two grandchildren.
Jeffrey M. Pines, physician, New York City, on May 22, 2026. Pines earned an M.D. from VP&S in 1973 and spent almost 50 years as a physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. He loved antique fountain pens, windup watches, bowties, NYC history, WWI posters and his dogs. Pines was also an avid reader, excellent chef and talented drawer. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Doralynn; and daughters, Giulia ’08 and Abigail (Bradley Johnson).
1971
Howard V. Selinger, clinical psychologist, Denver, on April 21, 2026. Selinger was born in Long Branch, N.J. As a student he was a member of the golf team and class president. He was also a sports broadcaster for WKCR during the 1967–68 basketball season, when the Lions reached the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1975. Selinger practiced psychology in Denver for more than 50 years. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Gil ’03 (Lauren) and Maia Sidon ’05 (Josh); and three grandchildren.
1972
John P. Casaly, attorney, New York City, on Dec. 29, 2025. Casaly grew up in the Boston suburbs and earned a J.D. from Harvard. He was a litigation partner at Jones, Hirsch, Connors & Bull. Casaly was also interested in art, architecture and historic preservation; he served on numerous boards for civic and charitable organizations, including the Nassau County Museum of Art, Planting Fields Foundation, Preservation Long Island, North Shore Land Alliance, Fountain House and New York Landmarks Conservancy. Helping others was central to his life. Casaly is survived by his wife of 45 years, Louise Parent; brother, Gary (Barbara); two nieces; and many godchildren.
1975
James P. Dolan, station manager, Lewes, Del., on Aug. 18, 2025. Dolan grew up in Alexandria, Va., and was active with WCKR as an undergrad. He worked for radio stations after graduation and became general manager of Baltimore’s WPOC-FM; under his leadership, the station earned awards from the Country Music Association. He married Yasmin in 2004, and they enjoyed cooking, wine and traveling. Dolan also enjoyed kayaking and playing the piano. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Zoë (Glen Halperin); siblings, Bill (Missy McTamney), Mike (Patti Howlin) and Margy (Dale Glanzman); his daughter’s mother, Gayle Economos; and one granddaughter. He was predeceased by his sister Kathleen.
1979
Peter Quintero Gimbert, real estate executive, Maracaibo, Venezuela, on Oct. 13, 2025. Gimbert’s kindness, integrity and quiet strength shaped every life he touched. He was deeply devoted to his family and the many pets who filled his home with joy. Caring for others was Gimbert’s greatest passion, and he approached life with a gentle purpose that made everyone around him feel valued. A firm believer that books are fountains of knowledge, he read with curiosity and enthusiasm. Gimbert is survived by his children, Jean (Michael) and Pedro; siblings, George, John and Nancy; and one grandson.
1986
Mark D. Grischke, entrepreneur, Los Angeles, on April 29, 2026. Grischke at one time worked at Vogue as Anna Wintour’s assistant; he was later recruited to launch Forbes FYI, a luxury magazine. He was its creative director and fashion editor for 20 years, covering fashion shows in Paris, Milan and NYC, and shooting luxury brands with top models. Grischke then became a freelance fashion and creative director for luxury brands. In 2017, he and his husband, Rod Andres, moved to Santa Fe, purchased a gallery and created lifestyle brands. They relocated to Los Angeles, and Grischke had begun writing a novel about the fashion industry. In addition to his husband, Grischke is survived by his mother and two brothers, and their extended families.
1994
Jonathan Roy, artist, Warsaw, Poland, on June 3, 2026. Roy’s young life was spent in Puerto Rico, Washington State and the Congo before entering the College after high school in Atlanta. While a student, he was a cartoonist for
Spectator. Roy became an internationally acclaimed artist and also owned and operated Koko & Roy, a New York-style eatery in Warsaw with his wife, Annah, until the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his parents, Betty and Jean.
1997
Sanoj Stephen, attorney, Manhasset, N.Y., on June 12, 2026. Stephen immigrated to the United States from India at 2 years old and graduated from Kellenberg Memorial H.S. He was involved with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation and eventually became chair of its Board of Trustees. After graduating from the College, Stephen was a paralegal for two years before earning a J.D. from Fordham in 2002. He worked at Sotheby’s International Realty for 22 years and became a senior VP and general counsel. Stephen is survived by his wife, Jomysha BC’96, LAW’99 (neé Delgado); children, Bailey ’25 and Connor; parents, E.M. and Chinnama; and sister, Daisy Stephen Palliparambil.
