In Memory: Herbert Blecker, Age 98

Herbert Blecker, 98 years old, born July 24, 1926 in Borough Park, Brooklyn to Miriam and Louis Blecker, died peacefully at his home in Rye, NY on January 17, 2025 at the end of a full life of hard work and great joy.

Devoted husband of Gloria for over 46 years, cherished father of David of Mamaroneck, NY and Robin and Gordon Dixon of Stowe, VT and father-in-law of Lisa, idolized grandfather of Max (of Brooklyn, NY), Emma and Alistair Austin (of Spencertown, NY), Lucy and Ryan Feulner (of Little Silver, NJ) Calvin (of Shelburne, VT ), and Billy (of New York City), great-grandfather of Foster (who he just met last week,) dear brother of Mac, Norman, and Murray, and brother-in-law of Florence, Ethel, Estelle, and Sherry, all whom previously deceased him.

Born the youngest of four boys in the tight-knit Jewish community of Borough Park, “Little Herbie” as he was known to his parents and older brothers, was the first product of his parents’ newly blended family, each having lost their first spouse to war or illness – from the very beginning the lynchpin of his family. Herb, as he was known later to friends, graduated from Erasmus Hall High School before serving from 1946-–1948 aboard the Destroyer Escort “William T Powell” as a Radar Technician, attending City College of NY on the GI bill, and earning a B.S.E.E in Engineering from the University of Michigan. While working as an Engineer for Sylvania and Honeywell, Herb attended night classes at NYU School of Law, earning his law degree in 1958. He and Gloria met on the beach in Nantucket, and upon confirming she was in-fact Jewish despite her blonde hair, he promptly asked her out, making the first move that would lead to a storybook marriage lasting over 46 years, and to a new nickname: “Hon.”

Herb’s career as an intellectual property attorney spanned eleven presidential administrations, and he was a founding partner of the firm Robin, Blecker, and Daley, advising clients on trademarks, patents, licensing, and litigation with his patented charm and trademarked integrity. He was a distinguished member of the American Bar Association, Chairman of the City of Rye Commission on Human Rights (recipient of the key to the City of Rye), and served on the Board of Governors for the American Jewish Committee. After retirement he traveled the world doing diplomatic outreach with the AJC, spent time with family in Vermont (earning a new name from his grandkids: “Poppop”), and volunteered as a mediator for the Southern District of NY and as a caseworker for a domestic abuse hotline in Westchester. He also once climbed (most of) the Matterhorn in Switzerland (with his best friend Henry Schneider, another former Rye resident), among his many adventurous endeavors.  To celebrate his 80th and 85th birthdays he rafted down the Snake and Salmon Rivers with his grandchildren. To celebrate his 90th birthday, he ziplined down the highest mountain in Vermont. He was always of the attitude that when given an opportunity to try something, why wouldn’t you say yes.

Herb was a kind, patient man who truly appreciated each day he was here, often commenting on the sunset as it dropped below the horizon. With a lawyer’s pragmatism and an artist’s appreciation for the beauty of a rainy day, the resonance of Pavarotti’s voice, or a perfectly cooked matzoh brei, he was known by many names and loved by many people. He left an indelible impression and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The family would also like to thank Samuel Aponsah, Richard Yeboah and Bernard Tadifa for their warmth and care during the last year of his life.

A memorial service was held to honor his life and legacy at Community Synagogue of Rye on January 22nd, followed by a gathering of family and friends at his home. Donations in his memory can be made to Community Synagogue of Rye, Hospice of Westchester, or Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary.

Publisher’s note: our staff writer Beatrice Larzul interviewed Blecker in 2023 about his military service. Read: Rye Vets Interview: Herbert Blecker, WWII Veteran.