Herbert (Bert) Arthur Meisler (96) of Mobile passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. He was born in Newark, NJ on September 8, 1927, the son of Minnie and Harry Meisler. He was a graduate of the University of Texas, where he received his BBA and met the love of his life, Fanny Ripps. They were married 66 years and raised five children in Mobile.
In 1964, Bert and his brother in law, Harold Ripps, founded the Rime Companies, an apartment construction and management company that still operates today. He served on the Boards of Colonial Properties Trust, Central Bank of the South and Altus Bank.
Bert was a key figure in philanthropic activities throughout his life, earning him respect and admiration. The Fanny Meisler Trauma Center at University Hospital and Meisler Hall at the University of South Alabama were among his most cherished contributions. He endowed scholarships at UAB and Birmingham Southern College. Meisler also endowed the Chair of Judaic Studies at the University of Alabama and a Chair of Surgery at USA.
Meisler’s civic activities included five terms as President of the Mobile Jewish Welfare Fund, Chairman of the Mobile Airport Authority, Vice President of the American Cancer Society, Vice President of the American Heart Foundation, Vice President of the Alabama Eye Bank, and President of University of South Alabama’s Presidents Club. He also served ten terms as president of Ahavas Chesed Synagogue. He served on the boards of the Mobile Community Foundation, Providence Hospital Foundation, the Better Business Bureau, and the Boy Scouts of America. Meisler was the two-time recipient of the Mobile Jewish Community’s “Man of the Year.”
Bert was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, brother Irwin and his grandson Harry Meisler. He is survived by his sister Judy Gothelf, his children: Ben (Laura) Meisler, Martin Meisler, Allen (Nancy) Meisler, Irving (Natalie) Meisler and Lori (Todd) Edlin. He is survived by grandchildren Lorraine Meisler, Anna (Gaines) Zarzour, Mitchell Meisler, Samantha (Preston) Gelman, Allison (Aiden) Tuite, Jake Movsovitz, Will Movsovitz, Jay Edlin, Carly Edlin, Emily Meisler, Seline (Blake) Shapskinsky, Laine Meisler and Franny Meisler. He also has five great grandchildren, James & Margaret Zarzour, Charlotte & Sloane Gelman and Lucky Tuite.
A funeral service will be held Friday, February 2, 2024, at 12 p.m. at Ahavas Chesed Cemetery in Mobile, and the family will receive friends afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mitchell’s Place, 4778 Overton Road, Birmingham, AL or Ahavas Chesed Synagogue in Mobile.
