Detroit Jewish News

S idney Lantz, the oldest elected official in the country, was a dedicated family man and a commit- ted politician who selflessly devoted himself to his loved ones and his constituents. Sidney, who lived in Southfield with his wife, Toby, died on Nov. 9, 2017, at the age of 97. He became a councilman for Southfield in 1983 and served for more than 36 years, well into his 90s. During that time, he helped trans- form Southfield into one of Michigan's fastest-growing and success- ful business centers. He was a supporter and mentor for many young political candidates. One of his greatest accom- plishments was drafting the Resolution of Togetherness for the city of Southfield, a document that strove to bring residents together in a spirit of warmth and unity. He served as a Southfield fire and police commissioner for eight years. "Southfield lost a champion in the passing of Councilman Sidney Lantz," said U. S. Congresswoman and former Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence. "Sid was tough. He was a tenacious fighter for what he believed in — and he believed in America. It was an honor to know Sid and to serve alongside him." Sidney was born in New York and grew up in the melting pot of Manhattan. He served as a medic dur- ing World War II and later volunteered with Americorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to Americans). Sidney and his wife, Toby, were mar- ried soon after meeting at a summer resort in New York. Sidney began work- ing as a salesman for Fruit of the Loom and, in 1955, the company transferred him to Michigan. He and Toby settled first in Detroit and then moved to Southfield, where they continued to live with their growing family. He contin- ued to work as a salesman in various capacities, selling clothing and later, high-efficiency maintenance and clean- ing solutions. Together they raised three children and enjoyed holiday celebrations, trav- eling, dancing and spending time with family and friends. He had a creative side, which he displayed by designing the flower arrangements for his daugh- ters' weddings. "He was a very talented, all-around guy," said his daughter Philicia Brin. As the family expanded, Sidney took great pride in his 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. "He taught us all to be giving. We had a food bank in our basement. Tzedakah and charity were always very important," said Philicia, who remem- bers her father taking the children for weekly visits to local veterans' hospitals and orphanages. Between earning a living and raising a family, Sidney found time for community service, serving as a two- time commander for the Jewish War Veterans and volunteering with the Michigan Council for the Arts, the Youth Commission and the Committee of Senior Citizens Office. After he retired, he was able to devote more time to his political career. His accolades include the Kennedy/ Shriver medal for service and the Medal of Detroit for his contribution to the improvement of the school sys- tem. During a recent Memorial Day, he received two Gold Coin awards from the adjutant general of Michigan and the commander of the Michigan National Guard for outstanding service to his country. He also supported Jewish causes such as Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, the Kollel Institute, Congregation Shaarey Zedek and Farber (Akiva) Hebrew Day School. Mr. Lantz is survived by his wife, Toby Lantz-Brandman; son, Scott Lantz of Southfield; daughters and sons-in- law, Lisa and Dovid Widenbaum of Monsey, N.Y., Philicia and Martin Brin of Southfield; brother, Irving Lantz of New York; grandchildren, Chana Leah Widenbaum, Avrohom Zev Widenbaum, Basya and Duvi Gluck, Tehila Widenbaum, Baila Widenbaum, Micky and Shaya Klein, Chanan and Kelly Brin, Gavriel Brin, Shoshana and Yaakov Eisenberg, Yochai Brin; great- grandchildren, Sari Klein, Shalom Klein, Eliezer Klein, Zara Brin, Caleb Brin, Ariella Eisenberg and Shaindy Gluck. He was the dear brother of the late Julius Lantz, the late Morris Lantz and the late Helen Perr. Interment was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Kollel Institue, 15230 W. Lincoln, Oak Park, MI 48237; Farber Hebrew Day School, 21100 W. 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48076; Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, P.O. Box 2044, Southfield, MI 48037; or Ateres Bas Yakov of Monsey, 236 Cherry Lane, Monsey, NY 10952. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. • 64 November 23 • 2017 jn A Passion For Design soul o f b l e s s e d m e m o r y I rving Tobocman, a legendary architect known throughout the world for his innovative contemporary designs, died Nov. 10, 2017, as the result of an auto- mobile accident. The 84-year-old Birmingham resident was the cre- ative force behind more than 400 private homes and commercial buildings in Metro Detroit and across the globe, including the Max M. Fisher Federation Building in Bloomfield Hills and the office building and chapel at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Called a "modern master" by fellow architect Victor Saroki, his designs were known for their clean lines, flat roofs, white painted brick, oak trim, skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows. He worked by hand instead of using a computer and used the natural setting as a backdrop and integral part of the home. Irving was the son of Polish immigrants who came to the United States in the 1920s. He and his brother, Alfred, grew up in Detroit, where their parents instilled the value of hard work, education and perseverance. He played football at Cass Technical High School and developed a pas- sion for the arts at an early age, becoming a proficient jazz and classical pianist and performing in the Yiddish theater. He attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a bachelor of architecture degree in 1956. His first project was an apartment complex near Six Mile and Greenfield roads in northwest Detroit, where his family lived for several years before moving to the Franklin Village home he designed in 1967. One of the first contempo- rary homes in the area, it attracted a steady stream of passersby who would stop on the street to admire the sleek design features and dis- tinctive architectural style. He was a loving father to his two children, Susan, a successful New York jazz singer, and David, a musician and film and televi- sion composer in California. He encouraged them to work hard and follow their dreams with pas- sion and confidence. Despite his demanding work schedule, he attended every baseball game, recital and school activity. "To live with him was a delight," said David. "I spent my entire childhood in stitches; it was his mission to make us laugh. He was heroic and quietly audacious, a fierce champion for beauty in the world." When the grandchildren came along, he formed a deep bond with each of them. "He was charming; he made you feel like the most important per- son in the world," said Susan. "He had enormous talent, drive and an unwillingness to let in naysayers." He enjoyed good conversation on a variety of topics and had a passion for both the English and Yiddish languages. He never rested on his laurels, always looking for the next challenge or opportunity to stretch himself further. "He always looked for improve- ment," said his grandson Caleb. "He believed you always needed to strive to a level above your com- fort zone." His younger brother, Alfred, an architect and building contractor, was his closest friend, and the two enjoyed collaborating on a num- ber of projects. Rabbi Paul Yedwab of Temple Israel, who officiated the funeral service, said Irving taught him to appreciate modern architecture, the importance of proportion and the majesty of simplicity. Irving kept his backgrounds — walls, floors, ceilings — neutral, believ- ing that color should be added to the home by the people who lived there, in the form of art, books Sidney Lantz RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Irving Tobocman A Champion For Southfi eld RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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