Irving Alper

Irving Alper, 93, of Millburn died Sept. 25, 2015. His family moved from Hoboken to Millburn in 1930.

Dr. Alper practiced dentistry for 50 years and treated many families across three generations. The last 11 years of his Millburn-based practice were in collaboration with Dr. Scott Krosser.

He graduated in the top 10 percent of his Millburn High School class and enrolled in the School of Microbiology at Massachusetts State College (now University of Massachusetts) in Amherst. He graduated cum laude in 1944 and with membership in the Phi Kappa Phi national honor society. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry in 1947, and was honored with a membership in the Matthew Cryer Honor Society of Oral Surgery.

He participated as a two-time volunteer with Dental Volunteers of Israel, working for one month in Jerusalem and one month on a kibbutz in Ashkelon.

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He was involved with Congregation B’nai Israel in Millburn since his childhood, following his father Max, a central member of Millburn’s early synagogue community. He was a member of the board of trustees as well as the board of the men’s club.

A past president of Millburn Rotary Club, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow for distinguished service. He also served as a board member of the Ruth Gottscho Kidney Foundation.

A Jewish humorist, he enjoyed entertaining friends and family with Yiddish stories. He was also a patron of the arts and frequently attended the opera, symphony, and theater in New York City.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; two sons, Michael of Connecticut and Eugene of Los Angeles; his daughter, Laura of Millburn; a sister, Ruth of Rochester, NY; and five grandchildren.

Services were held Sept. 30 with arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Memorial contributions may be made to Chatham/Millburn-Short Hills Rotary Club or Ruth Gottscho Kidney Foundation.