Jack Blumenkrantz Obituary
Jack Blumenkrantz
July 3, 1925 - January 12, 2017
Jack Blumenkrantz, long time SF resident and psychologist was born in Brooklyn, NY. His parents, Avigdor (William) and Frieda, were Jewish immigrants from Europe, who worked hard to provide a good life for Jack and his sister Norma. Jack excelled in school and entered NY City College at age 16. At the age of 17, his college education was temporarily cut short by WW 2, during which, he served as an infantry soldier in Belgium and Germany and earned a purple heart <http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/purple-heart/?personid=183845820&affiliateID=662>. When he returned from the war in 1945, he continued his college education at USC, NYCC, UC Berkeley, and U of Colorado, where he earned a PhD in psychology. In 1947, Jack met his future wife Mildred in Los Angeles. The two married that year, and they had 2 sons in Boulder, CO. After completing his graduate work in 1954, Jack moved his family to San Francisco, where he accepted a job as a psychologist in the VA hospital, and where his 3rd son was born in 1955.
Jack went on to become a respected participant in the SF psychology community. After leaving the VA, he started a clinical practice in the Richmond district. He also taught at SF State Extension and Golden Gate University, held positions in the local chapter of the American Psychological Association, was a mentor for clinical trainees at Presbyterian Hospital, and testified as an expert witness.
His hobbies included tennis, camping, walking, going to the symphony, opera and plays, and spending time with his family. After retiring in his seventies, Jack enjoyed the sights and sounds of SF and doting over his grandchildren. He also embarked on a variety of new activities, which included canvassing for Al Gore in Oregon in 2004, becoming a docent at the Academy of Sciences, taking classes at the Fromm Institute, working out at the Jewish Community Center, and taking a grand trip to Italy with Mille. Jack and Mille moved to Piedmont Gardens in Oakland in 2012.
Jack was predeceased by his sister Norma Vogel, who died in 2013. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Mildred, his three sons, Stephen, Victor, and Robert, his daughter-in-laws, Janice and Lisa, and his grandchildren, Deena and Nate. Jack was a compassionate, and thoughtful man, an enthusiastic story teller, and an extraordinary listener, who rarely had a disparaging word to say about anyone. He lived a full and meaningful life and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by the many colleagues, patients, family members, and friends who knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Jack's Life will be held in the Spring. For the date and location (still to be determined) you can leave your contact information at biokrantz@gmail.com or (510) 548-3845.