Hersch C. Altman

Hersch C. Altman, 91, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away peacefully on Monday, February 20, 2023. Hersch was born in Brzezany, Poland the son of Chaim and Raizel (Gottlieb) Altman. After losing his family, including his parents and all three sisters, during the Second World War and the Holocaust, he lived in Meriden, CT.  Hersch graduated from Meriden High School, University of Connecticut, and Tufts Dental School, and then served as a Navy dentist in Cherry Point, NC. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 years, Laura (Sugarman), his children Roz Abukasis (Pino), Ava Harder (Bruce) and Ken Altman (Gisela Wieland) and grandchildren Yarden and Tai Abukasis, Natalie and Rebecca Harder.

He and Laura raised their three children in Randolph, MA where he set up his first dental practice. He subsequently opened a multispecialty practice in Braintree. Hersch and Laura were founding members of Temple Beth Am in Randolph where Hersch served as their first Cantor.

Hersch’s commitment to his family and the others who perished during the Holocaust led him to speak extensively about his experiences to students in universities, high schools, and middle schools as well as to communities and organizations throughout the Boston and Phoenix areas. In 2006, his memoirs, “On the Fields of Loneliness” were published through Yad Vashem, The Holocaust Survivors’ Memoirs project. In 2019, Hersch was honored by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution as the recipient of the Eugenia Washington Medal for Heroism “for displaying the outstanding qualities of courage and valor.”

Over the years, Hersch and Laura traveled extensively throughout the world. He was an avid tennis and golf player, and loved a challenging Bridge game.

The funeral will be held on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 10:30 AM Eastern Time at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA. Interment following the service at Pultusker Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA.

Shiva will take place immediately following interment until 4:00 pm and again from 7:00–9:00 pm. Shiva will continue on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 1:00–4:00 pm and 7:00–9:00 pm at the Harder home.

The service will also be available via Zoom: You can register in advance:

https://tbewellesley.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvce2gqzooGd1C5r9azJ-G1mNsGoBPL92_

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the service.

In line with Hersch’s commitment to philanthropy and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: JF&CS, Schechter Holocaust Services, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451 (https://JFCSBoston.org) or to the Phoenix Holocaust Association, 12701 N Scottsdale Rd #122, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (https://phxha.com/)