Dr. Seymour Oberlander, age 94, passed away June 24, 2024 at his home. Seymour was born November 8, 1929 in Whiting, IN., where he lived with his parents, Adolph and Celia Oberlander. His parents had previously immigrated from Hungary. Seymour grew up driving a delivery truck for his father’s business, Whiting Laundry, as a teenager.Continue Reading
Dr. Seymour Oberlander, age 94, passed away June 24, 2024 at his home.
Seymour was born November 8, 1929 in Whiting, IN., where he lived with his parents, Adolph and Celia Oberlander. His parents had previously immigrated from Hungary.
Seymour grew up driving a delivery truck for his father’s business, Whiting Laundry, as a teenager. He made deliveries all over the area. He attended Whiting High School where he developed a love of languages and science.
He later attended Indiana University in Bloomington, where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Jean. They married August 25, 1963 and went on to share a loving 57 years together before her death in 2021.
Seymour graduated from Indiana University’s School of Medicine. He practiced Internal Medicine in Gary for about 40 years. After he retired from his medical practice, he went on to review medical charts for the Social Security Administration’s Chicago office for 20 years, taking the train to work into his 80s.
Seymour was a member of Temple Beit Shalom (formerly Temple Beth-El in Munster).
He was a curious person, and had a wide range of interests. He loved music, taught himself piano in his 70s, invented and patented a wrist light for runners, was a photographer with a darkroom he created in his basement, grew African violets, enjoyed woodworking, baked bread, read widely, loved foreign films with subtitles, followed the news closely, and more.
He loved his family fiercely and had a great sense of humor, always trying to make others laugh with a twinkle in his eye. He was the number one fan of his five grandchildren.
In recent years he battled lung disease and heart disease but didn’t dwell on his illness, instead asking about how others were doing and getting outside whenever possible.
After he moved in 2023 from the house he and Jean built in Munster, He made new friends at Hartsfield Village, grew to love and appreciate his caregivers from Visiting Angels and never stopped asking for updates about family and friends. Hospice workers from VNA Hospice helped him in his final weeks.
He was a gentle man and a unique and special person.
Seymour is survived by his children, Susie (John) Dodge; David (Marina) Oberlander; Mark (Yijun) Oberlander; his grandchildren: Ben Dodge, Julianna Dodge, Mark Oberlander, Sarah Oberlander and Charlie Oberlander. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Adolph and Celia Oberlander and his older brother, Milton Oberlander.
A memorial service will be at Noon Tuesday July 2 at Temple Beit Shalom, 10001 Columbia Drive, in Munster. Friends are welcome to arrive at 11:30 am to visit with the family before the service. A burial will take place at Kneseth Israel Cemetery in Hammond, IN. Shiva will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm Tuesday July 2 at Temple Beit Shalom.
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