Philip Wasserstrom

Philip Wasserstrom, 94, passed away peacefully on March 28th, 2025. Philip was born in Cleveland OH in 1930 to Irvin and Laura (Acks) Wasserstrom. He played many sports, studied violin with The Cleveland Orchestra concertmaster Joseph Gingold, and taught Hebrew at Silver’s Temple. One of his students was future wife Peggy Leuten.

Phil graduated from Glenville High School in 1948, and enrolled in the School of Architecture at Western Reserve University. A protégé of Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, he was sponsored in 1952 by him on a program in the new state of Israel. There, he designed the first Kibbutzim in the Negev. He remembered that year as a highlight of his life. The October 2023 Hamas attack upon these settlements he designed and built caused him great anguish.

Phil graduated from the School of Architecture and was drafted into the United States Army, where he served as Private First Class, and earned a marksmanship medal. Posted in Washington DC, he became friends with fellow Jewish conscripts Jerry Robinov, Howard Millman and and Honorary Jew Dick Burke. Though scattered throughout the country, they remained close throughout the subsequent 70 years.

Following the Army he joined his architect father in solo practice. Phil specialized in the design of hotels throughout the country, becoming the chief architect for Howard Johnson’s. He donated his expertise in designing and building to several Cleveland institutions including Bellefaire, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Menorah Park, The Maltz Museum, and Hopewell Therapeutic Community. In 1984 he was invited to a retreat in Springbrook, Wisconsin hosted by Frank Lloyd Wright’s widow, accompanied by his son David.

Phil served as Board President of Jewish Family Services Association, and is a Lifetime Trustee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. He served on many boards, including the American Jewish Committee, the Custody Review Board of Cuyahoga County’s Juvenile Court, Milestones Autism Resources, and Hopewell. He was a founding board member of The Maltz Museum.

Phil and wife Peggy served as delegates to the Annual and Biennial Conventions of Jewish Community Federations of North America, and Jewish Community Centers Association of North America. He attended the United States Air Force War College, where he studied with an Israeli Air Force colonel.

Phil and Peggy supported The Cleveland Orchestra, attending Saturday night concerts in Box 16 for over 50 years. Phil was instrumental in establishing piano soloist Jeffrey Siegel’s Keyboard Conversations ® series in Cleveland, which continues to this day. As Co-Chair of the committee that brought the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra to Cleveland in 2004, he took great satisfaction in knowing that Cleveland’s stellar Jewish community could hear this Orchestra in its own hometown.

Phil retired from architecture in 2000, and took up watercolor painting. He enjoyed international travel with family, golf with late son David and late son-in-law Michael Shames at Oakwood Club, and beach walks at the family’s getaway in Hilton Head Island SC. He took great pride in his children’s professional accomplishments in law, arts, network television, marketing, financial services and

documentary filmmaking, and in his grandchildren’s’ accomplishments in tech, executive recruiting and rock climbing

Phil’s guiding philosophy came from his father Irvin Wasserstrom: A good name is the finest legacy one can leave. Phil’s good name is further distinguished by his generosity, quick wit, and humility. His self-effacing demeanor belied a life of righteousness and accomplishment.

Philip is survived by his wife of 66 years Peggy (Leuten) Wasserstrom; daughters Katie Shames (Michael z’l) Amy Cummings (John), grandsons Jonathan Shames (Talia) and Jack Cummings, sister Elaine Neifach, many nieces and nephews, and his “bonus son” Dr. Paulo Schvartzman of Porto Allegre, Brazil. Phil was predeceased by his son David, son in law Michael, parents and brother, Sanford.

Funeral will be held at Berkowitz Kumin on Sunday, March 30th at 11, followed by burial at Mayfield Cemetery. Shiva will take place at the home of Katie Shames, 32750 Meadowlark Way, Pepper Pike during the following times: Sunday 3/31 from 3-5 and 7-9; Monday from 2-5. Those wishing to honor his passing may contribute to the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Suburban Kol Ami Temple or The Cleveland Orchestra.

Friends who are unable to attend the service, mayview it on Sunday, March 30 at 11 AM by going to BKBMC.COM scroll down to obituaries, select the obituary of Phil Wasserstrom, click on his obituary, scroll down to join live stream, click on join live stream.