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Jewish Community News

Obituaries: April 2004

by Donna Frankel

Lydia Ruth Baida

Lydia Ruth Baida, beloved mother of Joyce (and Bill) Halper & grandmother of Mollie Halper, all of Saratoga, died on Dec. 28, 2003, at age 87. She is also survived by her sister, Natalie Israel, of Bronx, NY, stepson, Don (and Harriot) Baida of Florida, her nephews and nieces.

A former NJ resident and legal secretary for 54 years, Mrs. Baida lived since November 2000 at Chai House, where she was active. The family requests donations be sent in her memory to Chai House or Jewish Family Service. Services were held at Oak Hill with internment in the Beth David Memorial Garden.

Karl Meyberg

Karl Meyberg, 91, died of a heart attack on January 24, 2004, in Mazatlan, Mexico. Born in Freren, Germany, he fled Nazi Germany in 1936, settling in Johannesburg, South Africa, where his fiancée, Cilly joined him. They were married and lived for 25 years in Johannesburg, raising their three sons before the family came to San Jose in 1961.
Meyberg learned the art of meat processing from his father, Joseph, and operated a meat processing company in Johannesburg. Locally he was known for his Meyberg’s Delicatessen and Restaurant, a landmark in San Jose for a quarter century, on Winchester Blvd – in what is now Santana Row.

Mr. Meyberg is survived by his wife of 65 years, Cilly, three sons, Harold, Ralph, and David, daughters-in-law, Nancy and Lili, grandchildren, Mara, Daniel, David, Jacob, and Naomi, great-grandson Max, nephew Gunther & Kathy Meyberg, and their children, Steven, Sandi, Sherry, and Debbie, who was his especially close niece. He is also survived by more local family: Ruth Levine, Jean Browne and Ann Burland and their families. He is missed by many friends and family overseas. Two of his sons and his nephew, Gunther, are still in the deli and restaurant business: Harold owns and operates the San Diego Culinary Institute, David is head cook at Chai House, and Gunther Meyberg, owns and operates Gunther’s Deli in San Jose. Ralph is in the preservation business, remodeling Victorian homes.

A member of Congregation Sinai for 47 years, Karl’s family requests donations be made to the Heart Association of Santa Clara County or a charity of your choice.

Dorothy Rosenthal

Dorothy Rosenthal, homemaker and wife of Sigmund Rosenthal of Sunnyvale, died of Parkinson’s disease on Feb. 11, 2004. Dorothy, born August 27, 1923, in Cleveland, OH, was engaged five years before marrying Sigmund in San Mateo in 1945. Together they had three sons and a daughter, Jay & Lynn Rosenthal of Hillsborough, Bob & Kim Rosenthal of Monterey, Cindy & Mark Hailprin of Long Beach, Larry & Cheryl Rosenthal of Grass Valley, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The Rosenthals were instrumental in starting a synagogue in San Mateo, then were founders of Temple Beth Am in Los Altos, before joining Congregation Beth David, where they were long-time members. Mrs. Rosenthal enjoyed mah jongg and was a long-time member of ORT. The family has asked that charitable contributions in Dorothy’s memory be sent to Congregation Beth David.

Charles F. Niedle

Charles F. Niedle, born January 6, 1944, passed away on February 17, 2004. Chuck is survived by his wife, Sofia and 21-year-old daughter, Polina, a senior at Columbia U. He predeceased his parents, Rose & Frank Niedle, and sister, Toni Niedle all of NV, and his son Jason of Los Angeles. Born in Chicago, Ill., Chuck moved to Los Angeles with his family at age 17, earned a BS in math and graduated from Long Beach State U. with an MBA. A programmer and software consultant in Silicon Valley for 23 years, Mr. Niedle enjoyed gardening, wood working, pottery, reading, skiing, traveling and music, especially Eric Clapton and rock & roll. A long time, active member of Congregation Beth David, Chuck sang in the synagogue choir and was facilities chair. His desire to help everyone in any situation without accepting credit or praise, meant that many people benefited from his generous heart and helping hands.