As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us; as we remember them.
Obituary
Dr. Joseph Bernard Zicherman was born on February 8, 1946 in Mount Vernon, New York. He was the beloved son of Miriam and Nelson Zicherman, first generation American Jews, and brother to his dear sister Ina Blumenthal.
After completing his undergraduate studies in New York and his master’s degree in North Carolina, Joe served in the United States Marine Corps at Camp LeJeune. He then headed to the University of California Berkeley for his PhD, where he fell in love with the West Coast and never looked back. He lived in Berkeley for the rest of his life and built a wonderful second home and vineyard in Boonville, becoming deeply involved in the local community and culture of the beautiful Andersen Valley.
Joe was an engineer and a respected expert in fire safety, forensics, and the fire performance of materials and systems. Joe started the consulting firm Fire Cause Analysis in 1979, employing many dozens of engineers and scientists to research fires and investigate how to prevent them. His research was funded and used by train car manufacturers and operators, including our own Bay Area Rapid Transit and Amtrak systems. Over the years he served on many Codes and Standards committees, including as Chairman, developing design methods and rules to prevent fires in consumer products, clothing, furniture, buildings, factories and forests. Even in retirement Joe continued working in fire prevention and protection, serving on the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council. He also mentored engineers involved in fire investigation at Berkeley Engineering and Research Inc.
Joe passed away from complications of blood cancer on November 27, 2024. He leaves behind his wife of 34 years Virginia Roemer, his children Nona, Benjamin and Nathan Zicherman, his nephew and niece Dan and Julie Blumenthal, and his four grandchildren. His family will miss his strong personality, his wisdom, the joy he found in food, nature and travel, and the unconditional love he had for us all.
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He was active in this Temple. In his business he was a member of boards and advocated for changes in building codes and fire safety regulation. He was always building something or repairing something. When I phoned Joe one fall the was driving a golf cart at the Mendocino county fair to ferry visitors from the parking lot to events and back.
Joe participated fully in life. And his enthusiasm and attitude were contagious. He made all our lives richer.
Thank you Joe
That was 40 years ago, and we have been good friends all these years.
He was ambitious in his life but still had time for his friends! we were close and I felt a great deal of love for him. He will be missed by all and especially by his family.
Richard
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