Memories of David Stephen Averbuck

In memory of

David Stephen Averbuck

Santa Rosa, California

April 25, 1943 - December 15, 2019

Apr 25, 1943 - Dec 15, 2019

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Jenny Hlebakos

Thank you for being an inspiring professor and for sharing your love and knowledge of the world beyond Sonoma County. You were my fav! Hutchins class of 1998. I have been a teacher for 28 years, thanks to you!

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Judy Tuwaletstiwa

Simply remembering you, my magnificent brother, on your birthday. you lived such a full life. and remain loved by many. i remember you at so many different ages. and i treasure each of those memories. love, judy

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Bill Sato

It's hard to believe that David is no longer with us. He was such a presence and a dependable solid friend. He helped me out of several jams with correspondence bearing his legal identity that prompted immediate action and resolution. It was a great honor to know him.

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Comments:

Alexis Averbuck

Thank you for those thoughts Bill on today, the anniversary of his passing. Thank you for those thoughts Bill on today, the anniversary of his passing. Thank you for those thoughts Bill on today, the anniversary... Read more

Judy Tuwaletstiwa

hi bill, what beautiful thoughts you express. i remember you and david as youngsters together. and his deep... Read more hi bill, what beautiful thoughts you express. i remember you and david as youngsters together. and his deep caring for you. i ... Read more hi bill, what beautiful thoughts you express. i remember... Read more

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Pamela Rasada

Shared a heart

Jeffrey Chester

I was fortunate to have David as a professor at the UC Berkeley School of Social Work. He was always inspirational, engaging, open and a terrific advocate for social and political justice. He had a major impact on my life as a model and I am grateful to have known him. Jeff Chester, Ventura, CA

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Jacob Averbuck

Alexis Averbuck

1974, Sebastopol, CA, USA

While David and Patti look on, the three Averbuck kids go nowhere fast on a home-built go-kart. That's Jacob in the driver's seat, Rachel riding shotgun and Alexis bringing up the rear, as it were. They are at the longtime home of David's brother Ned and his wife Maxine.

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Comments:

Judy Tuwaletstiwa

what a wonderful photo and memory. what a wonderful photo and memory. what a wonderful photo and memory.

Alexis Averbuck

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Melinda Marchi

Patti,
Just thinking of you and the wonderful times we all had together. I first met David as he was pulling weeds on Evie's slope, and I think I fell in love or maybe in thrall in those moments. The couples things we did together with David and Gene. What an amazing life David had. Much love to all of you. An aside: Jessica just got the freshman class list for her daughter Jacqueline Hickingbotham and I think your grandson is in her class!

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Jacob Averbuck

Dale Minami

I met Dean David Averbuck as a 3rd Year law student at U.C . Berkeley. He was the Dean of Admissions and permitted minority students great input into admissions decisions. We were able increase the number of Asian Pacific Islander students from 5 in my class of 1971, 6 in the Class of '72 to 23 then 33 in the classes of '73 and '74, respectively. He was a fierce advocate of affirmative action and made a huge difference in the demographics of UC Berkeley law until Prop 209. Loved our meetings with him and felt his compassion, humanity, humility and warmth. RIP, Dean Averbuck

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Jacob Averbuck

Victor Garlin

David was an active member of the California Faculty Association, as a lecturer's representative, for many years. He carried the torch of progressive unionism inherited from his parents to the Sonoma State University campus. I will always remember his energy and commitment. Victor Garlin, Professor of Economics , Emeritus. President, Sonoma State University California Faculty Association, 1995-2005

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Jacob Averbuck

Alexis Averbuck

2008, New Orleans, LA, USA

Today is Mardi Gras so it’s the perfect time to show David in New Orleans celebrating the day in style, in this case HOLY style. This shot dates to 2008 and shows David as the Pope, a persona he used for many years at Mardi Gras. As Patti says, he gave many people many blessings. And let’s be honest, he did have the voice of God, right?

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Jacob Averbuck

Comments:

MIchael Loughran

Holy Father! Holy Father! Holy Father!

Judy Tuwaletstiwa

such a deep laugh and magnificent, glowing smile. i miss you, dear brother. such a deep laugh and magnificent, glowing smile. i miss you, dear brother. such a deep laugh and magnificent, glowing smile. i... Read more

Joe Llewellyn

2020, César E. Chávez National Monument, Woodford-Tehachapi Road, Keene, CA, USA

I hope David got to visit. His picture and story and contributions should be up on the intepretive center exhibits.

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Jacob Averbuck

Catharine Ralph

1977, School of Social Welfare, UC Berkeley

I took 2 classes from David during my MSW program. They were life-changing: he told us he admired social workers for our ability to be creative artists of relational work with our clients. He used Lenny Bruce recordings to start each course, to get us thinking freely; he taught from his own experience learning from Cesar Chavez; he expected us to read large volumes of court decisions; & he gave an amazing rendition of the story of a local social worker Benny Max Parrish who challenged his agency to uphold client rights.
I was unsuccessful in finding David 2 years ago when Benny was inducted into the CA Social Work Hall of Distinction (http://socialworkhallofdistin…) to credit him with bringing that 'ethical hero' to my attention.
If there's any doubt that a teacher can positively impact his students, David could upend that heresy in a flash! I used his UFW essay as a reading in the classes I later taught in the same School, decades later.
David also had the class over to his Oakland home at the end of each semester, and turned that into a learning opportunity, as he did with his thoughtful and penetrating remarks on the papers we wrote for him -- each one asking us to 'be the judge' in an ethically challenging case.
Whew! He was an exhausting and amazing teacher and role model. He left an impressive mark on hundreds of his students and those we taught later. We were all improved as practitioners and as people for having learned from him.

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Jacob Averbuck

Doug Adair

Dear Patti, I was so sorry to hear of David's Passing, what great memories of dinners with youall and Fred and Virginia Hirsch, swims in your therapy pool, in Delano, and especially walking with David on the March from Coachella to Calexico, 50 years ago, across the years and the miles, a gran abrazo,
Viva la Causa,
Doug Adair

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Jacob Averbuck

Dick Kuchen

My deepest condolence. I met David at the final four in New Orleans.
He had invited a friend to his home for dinner and I came along.
We talked about jazz at dinner and David suggested we visit a couple of clubs. They were clubs I would have never found. David was welcomes with open arms and because I was with David I was welcomed with open arms. David was one of those special people and a person I will never forget.

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Jacob Averbuck

Audrey Webb

1975, UC Berkeley school of Social Welfare

As others have said, David’s class at Haviland Hall, Berkeley was one of my favorites. It was so refreshing to have an Instructor that pushed us to think critically. David clearly had ideas about social justice that were inspiring and he stepped out of the box and had us follow him by choreographing situations where we were constantly confronting the Devil’s Advocate. I was so touched when he spoke about his daughter wanting to be like Daddy and walk with a Crutch. So sorry that he left us.
Sending love and support.
Audrey

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Jacob Averbuck

John Schlegel

My wife Jill and I were fortunate enough to meet David just walking around our neighborhood, and over time we discovered just how special a life he had lived. He was our neighbor for the last 10 years or so of his life on the Russian River -- always a friendly face and a lively chat.

In the last year, I had the opportunity to spend time with him discussing his work with the NFL Players' Association, particularly during a key conference in 1982. The video of David from that event was spectacular -- this man on his crutches calling out these huge football players, imploring them not to be made slaves by their owners, getting down and dirty with some of the biggest, baddest athletes of their time. He owned that room, bringing the lessons he'd learned from Cesar Chavez to the fore with a whole different audience.

I wish we could have completed that project -- I know it was important to him to get that part of his career on the record. Well, it is, in a way. And I'm constantly grateful that we had those discussions, even if it just enriched by knowledge of the man.

To Patti and the entire family, our deepest condolences and our heartfelt appreciation that we got to know David even just a little bit. He will be missed, and there will never be another like him.

Love,
John and Jill Schlegel

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Jacob Averbuck

Alexis Averbuck

2006, David and WWOZ

From 2005 to 2016, David was a DJ at WWOZ in New Orleans. With his baritone voice and deep love and knowledge of jazz, he was a natural at this legendary community-run radio station. He broadcast using his on-air persona Jelly Roll Justice from studios in the French Quarter. He also recorded shows from the home studio he created at the Russian River house in California (shown here). Meanwhile Patti was core part of the volunteer brigade keeping the station on air. Besides interviewing jazz greats, David wrote scores of articles for the stations website where he could display his knowledge and passion for the music coupled with his wit (https://www.wwoz.org/profiles…) WWOZ’s website has a lovely tribute to David with some excellent pictures (https://www.wwoz.org/blog/603…)

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Patti Averbuck

Jacob Averbuck

Pamela Rasada

Comments:

Patti Averbuck

All that flooded on Feb. 27 2019. Very sad to know his whole recording studio flooded...gone All that flooded on Feb. 27 2019. Very sad to know his whole recording studio flooded...gone All that flooded on Feb. 27 2019. Very sad to know ... Read more

Julie Peck

I was a graduate student in Social Welfare, UC Berkeley, 1974-76, and I can say, without hesitation, there was only one professor who truly inspired me -- David Averbuck, a man who lived his values. As a graduate student in the 70's, being in David Averbuck's class was pure gold -- the highlight of graduate school for me. Reading his obituary is yet another reminder to LIVE FULL! My condolences to his family. Julie Peck

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Jacob Averbuck

Elaine Elinson

Dearest Patti and family --
It was with great sorrow that I learned about David's passing from an obituary in the Sunday Chronicle. Although we have not seen each other for a long time, I remember David's warmth, generosity, and incredible commitment to social justice so well from our days together in Delano. I am sure this must be a sad and difficult time for you all, and I send you my love and hugs.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute -- I learned so much about David -- I had no idea that his parents were radicals and had to hide from the FBI, that he was a DJ with his own radio show, that you had moved to New Orleans -- wow! Though I didn't know any of those parts of his life, I could picture him in all those settings, with that booming voice and that glorious smile! He always made me feel on top of the world, and I will carry thoughts of him to keep me going and energized in these troubling times.
What a wonderful, inspiring man -- I will always be grateful that our paths crossed on the dusty picket lines of Delano.
Much love to you and your children --
Elaine

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Jacob Averbuck

Mary Schembri

To David's Family and Friends, My statement would not be much different from any others that write here, in that we were all amazed and grateful for the knowledge, kindness, and enormous wit that was David Averbuck. While in the MSW program at Berkeley, (1975) I was lucky enough to take two law classes from him. He taught "thinking" more than anything and challenged us in every class. Those were my favorite classes and they weren't even in my major. Truly a gift to the world. I am sending his obituary to my children and friends--he lived 10 lifetimes in one 76-year span. May his example live on in all who knew and treasured him.

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Jacob Averbuck

Michael Basta

1985, U.C. Berkeley School of Social Welfare

David was my law and ethics instructor when I was a second year grad student in social work at U.C. Berkeley. I am sure that I was not alone in being intimidated initially by David's intensity and intellect. However, it did not take long to realize that although this man could verbally eviscerate an opponent without breaking a sweat, he had tremendous heart and would have your back when he realized what you were about.

When he learned that I was working with a teenager whose parents were from Sri Lanka, he took out his own time to provide consultation to me, saying "you can't help him unless you know the culture." He was correct of course, and he provided valuable insight to the wet behind the ears social worker that I was. We, as a class, loved and respected him so much that we asked him to be our commencement speaker, knowing that he was a thorn in the side of our administration. He spoke from the heart and never backed down.
He told us the story of spinning records for teenagers at a summer camp when he was a child, and facing joy and humiliation as a result. I am very glad to hear that he spent his last years as DJ Jelly Roll Justice.

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Jacob Averbuck

Erica Roberts

Dear Patti--More than 40 years ago Rachel and my son, Sam, were in a play group together. We parents bonded, as one does when kids are involved. I was so sorry to learn today that your family and the world have lost David. What an incredible guy.

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Jacob Averbuck

paul harris

1964, boalt hall

sitting with david on the patio agreeing that the first amendment protected the "free speech" of students. his angry, wit taking up the space in a positive way. paul harris

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Jacob Averbuck

Comments:

Sara Marchi

Patti, Sasha, Rachel and Jacob- thinking of you all during this difficult time. What fun memories we had ... Read more Patti, Sasha, Rachel and Jacob- thinking of you all during this difficult time. What fun memories we had growing up! One of my... Read more Patti, Sasha, Rachel and Jacob- thinking of you all... Read more

Bill Houghton

When I looked at the obituaries in the Press-Democrat this morning, there was David's name. I paged through to page 5, and there was his photo. Instantly, I could hear his voice. Even when he was passionately arguing for truth and justice, David's voice always had overtones of joy and sacred laughter. Working in Human Resources, I knew most of the faculty and staff, but saw them only now and again. My contacts with David always made for memorable days.

God better watch it: if the cherubim are being underpaid, David will be on it immediately. And those harps? Fine, if played right, but let's get some drums, and a good bass player, and some righteous horns in there, too.

My condolences to the family for the loss of a husband, father, grandfather.

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Jacob Averbuck

Gene Marchi

Patti and family: it has been many years since we last saw each other when we all lived in Oakland. We lived next to Evie. I am so sad to just hear of David’s passing. Our lives seem much to brief. I would love to hear from any of you. Love and hugs to you all.
Gene Marchi
Genemarchi@earthlink.net
Bolinas, Ca

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