Ушел из жизни доктор Арнольд Бирман — выдающийся спортсмен, путешественник и лидер еврейской общины Орландо

Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice Arnold Harold Bierman, born on April 11, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Samuel and Ada (Coutt) Bierman, passed away on June 28, 2026. Arnold showed his love of adventure from an early age, riding his tricycle at age two to the local elementary school to visit his sister, Norma, whom he loved and cared for throughout her life. Short in stature, he made up for it in grit, speed, and heart. As a teenager, he was a champion amateur weightlifter. He won a world record for the most weight lifted in the clean and jerk. At the age of 15, his commitment inspired him to take a bus from St. Louis to Venice Beach, California to work out with Mr. Universe (and there are pictures to prove it). He went on to become a medal-winning junior national weightlifting champion and a champion speed skater. He was also a weightlifting champion at Washington University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He knew he wanted to be either a doctor or an engineer. Medicine won. He pursued his MD at the University of Missouri Medical School. There, he met the love of his life, Susie Cohen, at a football game where she was the Tiger Mascot. He spotted her through his binoculars at halftime, tiger head resting beside her, and that was it. The rest is history. They were married on June 17, 1962. Leaving the Midwest behind, they travelled to New Haven, Connecticut in their VW Bug. Continuing to be a trailblazer, he was the first student from the University of Missouri School of Medicine to be accepted into Yale School of Medicine’s residency program. New Haven is also where they started their family, and Sara Nan was born in 1965. In 1966, Arnold and Susie moved to Orlando, where he served as a doctor in the Air Force on the base that is now Baldwin Park. It was there that Lisa was born in 1966. Shortly thereafter, Arnold began his 35-year career as a clinical pathologist and director of Nuclear Medicine at Orange Memorial Hospital, where Karen was born in 1971. He was a vital part of building the Pathology Department and instrumental in bringing leading-edge nuclear medicine to the hospital. Though his medical career was demanding, Arnold never lost his devotion to family. Even after he and Susie moved away from Missouri, he remained deeply committed to his sister Norma and her children, caring for them throughout his life. For Arnold and Susie, life was something you dove into, not watched from the sidelines. Together they traveled the world, often on missions supporting Israel, where they had the privilege of meeting world leaders, including Menachem Begin and Moshe Dayan. Most summers, they loaded the girls into their Minnie Winnie RV and headed out to see the country, all of it, up close and firsthand. The adventures continued. Arnold and Susie explored the world, meeting renowned chefs, authors, artists, and people whom they admired, including Dale Chihuly and Julia Child. They especially loved returning to Paris and Venice and loved their summers exploring the Northeast by RV. Arnold loved welcoming people into their home, giving tours, and sharing the stories behind the art they collected from around the world. Later in life, Arnold discovered a new passion and taught himself to snow ski by watching VHS videos. For the next 20 years, skiing became a cherished part of his travels, and Susie, who was terrified of heights, let him enjoy the slopes on his own. He loved Colorado and skiing with his daughters and eventually, his sons-in-law. Together, he and Susie also devoted themselves to the Jewish community, with Arnold serving in leadership roles at Congregation of Reform Judaism, Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, and The Jewish Academy of Orlando. His happiness and pride grew as his family expanded. He welcomed his sons-in-law as sons. His greatest joy came with the arrival of his grandchildren: Josh, Carli, Casey, Austin, Cassidy, Tony, and Ellie, who adored their “Poppy,” and whom he cherished beyond measure. Though his family will miss him deeply, they find comfort in knowing he is with the love of his life, Susie. Funeral Service for Dr. Bierman were held at Congregation of Reform Judaism (928 Malone Drive, Orlando, FL) with Rabbis Rachael Jackson and Steven Engel officiating. Interment was at Congregation of Reform Judaism Cemetery in Gotha, Florida. May he rest in peace and may his memory always be a blessing. Service entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.