Alvin Platt Obituary
Alvin Platt of Palo Alto, California, passed away peacefully at home, with loved ones at his side on the 17th of June, 2021.
He was 86 years old. Born in Chicago to Nettie & Raymond Platt (both from Ukraine), Alvin leaves his devoted wife, Barbara (Schiller), with whom he enjoyed 50 years of happiness.
Alvin will be missed by his sister Eleanore (Larry) Zaiden, brother Cecil (Helen) Platt of Southern CA, son Mark (Andrea) Platt of Boca Raton, FL, daughter Susan (Larry) Weiss of Highland Park, IL, son Daniel Platt of Highland Park, IL, daughter Marcy (Leslie) Gore of Aurora, IN and son Evan Platt of Fremont, CA, grandchildren & great-grandchildren, as well as the many associates & friends who have had the privilege of knowing him.
An intuitive champion of the people, Alvin could often be found advising, guiding & encouraging individuals who sought out his wisdom & understanding during uncertain times in their lives.
Alvin earned his Master of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago and was a teacher & counselor at the University of Chicago Orthogenic School and Chicago Public Schools. He studied the law at the University of Chicago with an emphasis on tort law. He left the public school system for educational and administrative positions at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, IL. He served there faithfully for more than 25 years. Al worked closely with the famed architect Minoru Yamasaki of Twin Tower fame in building the new synagogue for NSCI on Sheridan Road in 1964.
In 1986, Al, Barbara and Evan left Illinois for Al’s next challenge at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, CA where he served as Executive Director.
Al and family moved to Palo Alto, CA in 1990 when he accepted the position of Executive Director of the Jewish Community Federation of the South Peninsula Region. He designed the many fundraising projects that generated more than $9 million annually to support the local community. Al collaborated with other professionals in the creation of the Mid-Peninsula Jewish Community Day School, now known as the Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School. He supported the construction of the day school’s building that, with his leadership, culminated in the school’s own campus in Palo Alto.
Al completed his career in community service through funding and programmatic efforts for the Centre for Living with Dying, a United Way Agency in Santa Clara. In the lead up to his retirement, he fostered the absorption of that agency into the Bill Wilson Center for troubled adolescents in Santa Clara, Ca.
Beginning in 2005, Al served for several years as the President and board member of the Palo Alto Humane Society where he applied his development skills to growing the organization.
In his heart, Alvin was an artist & romantic, creating beautiful love sonnets to his wife, Barbara, during their courtship & beyond.
Al’s children learned from him to be mindful of their duty to contribute to making the world a safer, kinder place to live in.
We will always remember his loving generosity, zest for life, boisterous laugh, and sense of humor that makes us smile today.
Donations in Al’s memory may be made to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Palliative Care Department, whose close watch over his last years provided great comfort to the family. Online at www.pamf.org/giving, choose the Palo Alto Fund for Excellence. In comments section indicate Palo Alto Palliative Care Department.