Obituary

Harold Nitzberg, renowned and pioneering social work educator, leader and clinician, died peacefully on Monday, December 20th at the Glacier Hills Care Facility in Ann Arbor, MI. He was 97 years old and had been a resident of Ann Arbor for thirty-eight years, the past twelve at Glacier Hills. He was an Associate Professor Emeritus of Social Work, in the Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, at the University of Michigan. Harold lived a long life with accomplishments in many areas. Ann Arborites remember his well-written, passionate letters to the Ann Arbor News speaking about health care reform, social justice, and peace. Many local people have fond memories of him walking around town with his wife Clara, attending concerts, going to peace marches, and enjoying the shops and restaurants of Ann Arbor. Harold was born in Brooklyn, NY, on November 11, 1913. He was born to a Russian, Jewish family who were not well-off but remarkably well educated, artistic and musical. His father worked in a hat factory to support the family but was a talented artist, reproducing museum prints in oil with amazing clarity and accuracy. His mother was one of nine sisters, all of whom were passionate about politics and education. His two first cousins, Harold and Bob Elitzik, developed successful careers; Harold was the associate principal violist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Bob was a physician. Harold's younger brother, Jerry (who died in 2004), was also a talented writer and artist who became a social worker and directed a sheltered workshop for people with developmental disabilities. In his youth, Harold dreamed of becoming a professional clarinetist and studied with the famous principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic, Simeon Bellison. After graduating with an English literature bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College, he was offered a clarinet post in the Work Progress Administration's orchestra, created by FDR, during the Depression. However, his professional musical career was interrupted by a diagnosis of tuberculosis. After his diagnosis and hospitalization, he became involved in social justice causes and decided to obtain a master's in Social Work from Columbia University. He received his degree in 1942. During the war, he was not allowed to be in active combat due to his health challenges resulting from TB, and instead directed a Red Cross operation. During this time, he was married to Mildred and had one son, Mark Druss, from that marriage. After the dissolution of the first marriage, he married Clara (he often quipped that her name and his love of clarinet were connected). Clara is a woman with artistic talents who shared Harold's love of politics, literature, music and art. After the war, he first worked at the Jewish Board of Guardians, a prominent social service agency in New York. His exceptional talents as a clinician and leader were recognized there. His career evolved in a different direction when he and Clara moved to Denver, CO. They both loved their twenty-three years in Colorado- enjoying trips to the mountains and savoring the sunny and dry climate. Harold's first job in Denver was working as a medical social worker delivering psycho-social care to tuberculosis patients in the outstanding National Jewish Hospital. His next professional move was to become a professor at Denver University school of Social Work. He was reputed to be an exceptional teacher as he was articulate, witty and knowledgeable. In 1962, a psychiatrist colleague asked him to join him in developing the community mental health system for the State. He loved advocating for and creating innovative services across the entire state for people struggling with mental illness. He was a successful administrator who was highly regarded. After nine years of being the coordinator for community mental health programs, he was recruited, in 1972, to join the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan where he directed the Social Work department as well as taught psychiatric residents about the community mental health model. One of his students was Tom Carli, MD, who eventually became his son-in-law in 1987. His social work staff adored him and when his daughter, Laura, moved to Ann Arbor from New York (she had attended Barnard College and Columbia University School of Social Work) in 1986, she learned of her father's stature and respect from people she met. Laura and Harold were close and shared their professional interests but also enjoyed playing chamber music together. Clarinet and oboe duets dominated the Nitzberg household both in Colorado and in Ann Arbor. Harold will be remembered as a kindly, highly intelligent, funny, erudite man who was compassionate to others. He is survived by his loving wife, Clara (who lives at Glacier Hills) of 64 years; his brother-in-law, Martin Shalit; son Mark and his family (they live in Idaho);his cousin Paul Elitzik and two nephews, Kevin and Joel. He is also survived by Laura and Tom's daughter, Anna (now aged 20 who lives in NYC), who was the "apple of his eye". He was truly the most devoted and loving grandpa. Harold's keen intelligence, generosity, musicality, and kindness will be sorely missed. As recently as a couple of months ago, he was singing opera and accurately humming passages from symphonies. The family has decided not to have a funeral but will have an intimate gathering at a later date for family members, close friends, and Glacier Hills staff who cared for him. If people wish to make a donation, it can be made to the U-M Depression Center or the U-M Department of Psychiatry.