Edith Kobler

Edith Kobler, age 97, passed away in Highland Beach, Florida on July 5, 2020. She was born in Cologne, Germany on November 4,

1922 to Adolf and Margarete (Wolf) Jacoby. Her childhood was a difficult one, losing her father at age 9 from tuberculosis, and experiencing the rise of Nazi Germany. She saw a number of her friends killed by the Nazis and was forced to leave her school when Jewish students were expelled. She survived Kristallnacht when Dr. Arthur Rosenberg, who would later become her step-father, took her and her mother into his home which she credits with living through that night. Shortly thereafter, at the age of 16, she escaped to England and

2 years later, in 1940, made it safely to the United States where she rejoined her mother and stepfather who also emigrated from Germany. Upon arrival in New York City, Edith found work as a milliner, making hats, earning very little, but contributing to her family’s efforts to rebuild their lives.

She married her first husband Kurt Strauss, in 1943, and became mother to Ronald and Edward who were born in 1944 and 1949, respectively. She established a wonderful home to grow up in, having successfully overcome the horrors of Nazi Germany. It was a warm and nurturing environment, and she fostered intellectual curiosity, a love for reading, and an appreciation of music, enrolling her children in the Juilliard Preparatory Division to study violin and piano.

Throughout her life, her children considered her a friend, someone always ready to listen and give objective advice.

Forced to leave Germany before completing her own education, she subsequently earned a high school equivalency diploma. During the 1950s, it was not very common for a “stay-at-home mom” to work outside the home or continue her schooling. Nevertheless, while raising children, she worked at her stepfather’s general practice and also helped out with a close family friend, Dr Aladar Farkas’s orthopedic practice. Edith continued her education ultimately obtaining a BA, MS, and PhD in Biology from New York University. Her doctoral thesis was published in Cancer Research (Vol. 9:1969-77, 1968). After earning her doctorate, Edith taught as a Lecturer in Biology at Stern College for Women at the Yeshiva University.

Edith and Kurt divorced in 1969, and Edith married Richard Kobler, a physicist and inventor who was also a refugee of WWII. In 1970, they moved to Switzerland where they resided for 23 years. Working together, Edith and Richard created a software program for the “Talking Typewriter,” which helped children with autism and other disabilities learn how to read, often when other traditional methods had failed. Edith and Richard returned to the United States in 1993 making South Florida their home.

After Richard’s passing in 1999, Edith moved to New York City and at age 78, she returned to NYU as a full-time visiting scholar and was promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor. She led her own study group sessions in pathology, did AIDS research in the laboratory of NYU Dental School, and proctored exams. She cherished her NYU faculty ID, attending lectures every week, as a member of the faculty.

At age 80, Edith pursued her love of music commencing studies of music theory at the 92nd Street Y and weekly piano lessons. She became an avid bridge player and partook in New York City’s many cultural offerings. She continued to practice piano and learn new pieces until the end of her life.

Edith was devoted to the endeavors of her sons and took joy in supporting their passions throughout her life. She traveled regularly to attend the World Doctors Orchestra and CityMusic Cleveland concerts supporting her son Ronald’s involvement in both organizations. She was a beloved fixture at hundreds of Steinway Hall recitals hosted by her son Edward.

She officially retired from NYU at the age of 94. She went on to write and publish her autobiography, “My Exciting Journey to 95.” Edith was one of 4 women aged

94-105 years featured in an award-winning documentary, “Can’t Stop the Sun from Shining.”

In July 2019, Edith moved back to Florida where she shared a home with her son Edward whose devoted care-taking allowed her to live independently. Above all, Edith delighted in her family, playing an integral part in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives. In addition to partaking in their milestone occasions, weddings, bris, and bar and bat mitzvahs, she kept the tradition of Passover alive for her family concluding every Seder singing the same songs she had sung since childhood. She celebrated her last Passover in April of 2020 and her voice will be forever remembered by her family.

Edith was an extraordinary example of aging successfully, with dignity and ever-present intellectual curiosity. Her family gained so much from her presence and her passing leaves an incredible void. She will be remembered by Ronald (Eugenia), Edward (Dari), her step-daughter, Linda Kobler (Albert Glinsky); her grandchildren, Misha Moore (Scott), Natasha Cornstein (Marc), Naomi Hightower (Stacey), step-grandchildren, Luka Glinsky and Allegra Glinsky; and her six greatgrandchildren, Hannah, Tobin, and Stella Moore, Daniel Cornstein, Ari and Harvey Hightower.

Friends and family who wish may contribute to the “Dr. Edith Kobler Endowed Scholarship Fund” at NYU Dental School. Contributions can be sent in her name to: New York University, Office of Gift Administration, 25 West

4th Street, Rm 405, New York, NY 10012 or https://www.

nyu.edu/giving/give-now/?id=1000334

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