Bertram Arnold Huberman

Bertram Arnold Huberman, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on October 22, 2026.

Bert was 103 years old and celebrating each day of life with tremendous charisma, an impossible to ignore smile, incredible oratory skills, and a passionate and indelible work ethic. Bert created a vibrant life for those lucky enough to share his journey. He was privileged to walk through nearly fifty years of that life with his much-loved wife, Wilma L. Huberman --"Willie" to all who knew and loved her-- who pre-deceased him on Labor Day, 2000. Inspiring father to daughters Danielle Alexandra "Ruth" and Joanie Walmsley, to sons-law Rick Clemmer and Mark Walmsley, and adored grandfather of Olivia, Chase, Grayson, and Lilianna. Bert will be greatly missed.

Bert was born on June 11, 1923, in Malden, Massachusetts. His father, Charles Huberman, and mother, Jenny Ruth Block, built a small cigar business which was cherished by the reporters of the Boston Herald on whose site it sat. Bert was the youngest of four children, with two brothers, Sydney and George, and one sister, Thelma. When he was young, his family moved to Roxbury and Bert attended Boston Latin School, followed by Harvard College (Class of 1944) and Harvard Business School (Class of 1948). His commitment to Harvard was legendary. He chaired every reunion since his 25th, was a passionate advocate for schools and scholarship interviewing for decades, worked tirelessly for the Harvard College Fund, and chaired every reunion for his Harvard Business School class for eight decades. At his 25th reunion from the Business School in 1973, he was responsible for establishing the Class of 1948 Fellowship Fund. Five years later at his 30th reunion, he was the catalyst for the Harvard Business School Night at the Pops, which celebrated its 45th anniversary during his 75th reunion, which he chaired in 2023. In 2018, at his 70th reunion, Bert was recipient of Dean Nikita Koria’s letter of accommodation for his many years of volunteer work at the Business School. During his two years at the business school, Bert was chosen by Charles Duhig, the Dean of Dudley Hall Commuter Center, as his assistant.

Bert and Wilma, Radliffe '50, HBS first class of women ‘51, shared a love for Harvard and for their famous first row colonnade, 50 yard line seats at Harvard stadium where they sat for every Harvard football game. They also shared a passion for Harvard Hockey and all Harvard sports. Wilma became the ticket liaison and co-director for the ticket office, working for nearly two decades and enjoying every moment of handing out tickets to students. At the age of 100 in 2023, Bert led the Harvard Alumni Parade into Harvard Yard during graduation week as the oldest returning alumni. The President of the Harvard Alumni Association announced Bert from the stage in her welcome and then in an unprecedented moment, she announced his 100th birthday and the entire audience filling the Tercentenary Theatre sang “Happy Birthday” to Bert. Equally as unprecedented, Bert led the parade again the following year and became the only alumni ever to lead the parade twice. In 2023, Bert was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Medal by the University. He is the only person to chair a 75th reunion at the Harvard Business school and in 2024, the first ever to chair and return for an 80th reunion at Harvard College.

Bert's college career was interrupted by World War II, where he served as the lead navigator for the US Army Air Corp. During WWII, he flew 26 missions over Germany for the Eighth Air Force, and 23 as Lead Crew Navigator after his crew was promoted to this position. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery, among many other honors. When the fighting stopped in Europe, he was transferred to the U.S. Bombing Survey, which studied the effects of pinpoint bombing versus area bombing, working under the leadership of Professor John Galbraith of Harvard.

He spent his business career in the sales, marketing , and merchandising of children’s consumer goods. For nearly eighty years, Bert was a manufacturer's rep, building a highly successful organization throughout New England. He was passionate about skiing, about life-long learning, and about his Jewish heritage. Together with Wilma, they funded the Huberman Jewish Library at Harvard, one of the most prestigious collections of Jewish literature and history in the country. Bert was also a lifelong member of Temple Shalom of Newton and an honorary congregant of Temple Beth Israel of Sarasota, Florida. He always spoke of himself in modest terms, always remembering his very humble beginnings, surviving the Depression, and with great love for his parents, his wife, his children and his grand children, who motivated him to keep putting one foot after another, always reaching for one more day. He never retired (as he still maintained a few customers until he passed) and he never gave up his humor, his sharp analytical mind, his faith in mankind, nor his hopes for Israel. We are forever grateful for the gift of Bert in our lives. He will be missed dearly.

In lieu of flowers, Bert’s family asks that you consider a donation designated “in Memory of Bert Huberman” to Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key, where his memory will be honored. www.longboatkeytemple.org/donate