On Sept. 23, Stephen Lewis Forstenzer of Baltimore at 88. He is survived by children Hope Forstenzer (Eva Moore), Abraham Forstenzer, Juliette Espinosa (Nayda Kuachusri) and Benjamin Forstenzer (Renee Jorisch) and grandchildren Asher Forstenzer, Marcus Forstenzer, Ishaa Espinosa, Gedalya Forstenzer and Isaac Forstenzer. He was predeceased by wife Frances Forstenzer (née Koenigheit); siblings Tom Forstenzer and Flora Schwartz; and parents Ida and Harold Forstenzer. Stephen had a rich and complicated life. He was married to Frances (Franny) Forstenzer for over 50 years and together they raised four children. He has five incredible grandchildren. He fought for social justice from a young age. His oldest friend described him as someone who thought he was the little guy, but he was actually brave and pugnacious. He headed south as a young man to work in Louisiana during the civil rights movement and put his life on the line fighting for racial justice in health care. As a hospital administrator he focused on the safety and well-being of staff and patients at the facilities he managed - often to his own detriment. He famously ran into a burning building at Rockland Psychiatric Center to guide patients to safety, winning a commendation from the State of New York and suffering permanent lung damage (and ending his long-distance running career) as a result. He served over two decades at the Maryland State Health Planning Commission and was a dedicated union leader. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren. May his memory be a blessing always.

Contributions may be sent to Southern Poverty Law Center, online at splcenter.org.