Barbara
Tepperman
February 15, 1935 - February 5, 2021
Born in New York City and raised in Rochester, New York, Barbara was the older daughter of Harry Leo Tepperman and Sylvia Rubin Tepperman. She attended Twenty Three School and Monroe High School, city public schools that gave her an excellent education and allowed her to keep some friends from kindergarten onward, throughout her long life.
She studied biochemistry at Cornell University until she left to marry medical student John R. Bohrod, whom she met when both were children playing softball in the schoolyard on warm summer evenings. The young couple moved often with their growing family to fulfill army service, internship, and medical residency. In 1965, they settled in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where Barbara was able to return to school, this time as an English major at the University of North Dakota, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Circumstances changed, and in 1973 Barbara moved with her children to Boston in search of teaching jobs. As an adjunct professor, she taught English writing and literature for several years at community colleges and at the University of Lowell (Massachusetts). Because of her background in science as well as in liberal arts, she was then able to pursue a career in publications for environmental and engineering corporations. She published newsletters, brochures, and magazines for corporate stakeholders on subjects as varied as the air quality in Denver and Mexico City and heat-resistant tiles for NASA space shuttles. She also made some lifelong friends in the Boston area.
In 1991, Barbara moved to Carrboro, North Carolina, a vibrant small town adjacent to Chapel Hill. One of her daughters lived close by, and the weather was pleasant for a woman near retirement. She did freelance editing and also embarked on volunteer jobs that helped her to make many good friends as well as engage in rewarding pursuits. She was a member of the Chapel Hill Service League, the Orange County Literacy Council, the Orange County Democratic Women and the IFC, where she helped cook and serve lunches to indigent people. She also belonged to Chapel Hill’s Kehillah Synagogue.
Her primary volunteer work, from the time she came to North Carolina, was a member of Peer Learning, a lifelong learning group of people interested in having social and intellectual stimulation in their later years. She took courses and taught courses in this group, enjoyed lectures and luncheons, and met a wide variety of delightful people. An unspoken but widely held motto of the older people in the group is “Peer Learning is keeping me alive.”
Barbara is survived by her younger sister Deborah Dic \kason, Rochester, New York. Survivors also include her four wonderful children and their spouses: Bruce Bohrod and Nancy Bushnell, Yucca Valley, California; Dan Bohrod, California; Amy Bohrod and David Black, Cocoa, Florida; and Nina Bohrod and Ben Somberg, Stanley, Virginia. She has ten amazing grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
It was a grand life.
Shortly before she died, Barbara let her family know that she was ready and that she had had a "spectacular life and now it was somebody else's turn." She wrote that she wanted to be remembered as follows, "I love nature, music, literature, baseball, kindness, and my family and dear friends."
A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at Kehillah Synagogue in Chapel Hill, North Carolina when people are again able to gather safely.
If you wish to make a donation in Barbara's name, here are some charities that she supported:
I’ve left you a getting to be. too long a “‘tribute” to your mother but it seems like it just got lost. I don’t have the heart to rewrite it right now. But if I can get on this place again some day soon I will try. For now, Nina, I just want to say that I was afraid these past few days that your news might just be the the death of your mother. I am SO sorry. I knew how much you loved her...some very special kind of relationship that you had with her by that I didn’t know how to have with anybody. I certainly understand why you don’t feel like writing me a letter, to me or to anyone right now.
I don’t know if you have had the funeral yet. Do not think of me then but sometime when you feel like you are on an even keel, just think that I send you the only kind of love of which am capable. Pl add tell your siblings that I send it to them too...all of them and their significant others. 9 months ago
*****
It is with great sadness that I share, my friend of 40 years Barbara Tepperman passed away, February 5, 2021 ( b.February 15, 1935 ). Shortly before she died, Barbara let her family know that she was ready and that she had had a "spectacular life and now it was somebody else's turn." She wrote that she wanted to be remembered as follows, "I love nature, music, literature, baseball, kindness, and my family and dear friends."
July 1979 still feeling the lose of my mother (1977) I joined a Woman’s Growth Group for 12 weeks.- 6 months later the leader decided that we needed to move on…. During this time I met and because friends with Elaine – Tasha – Wendy. We did not agree to moving on, and decided after the holidays we would keep meeting. Tasha had met Barbara in an earlier group and knew she would like to join us. – and we because a group of 5 that met every Thursday, eat each other homes for about 15 years; and although we moved on from weekly meetings we still stayed close. We all became close friends that was their potty training – birthdays – weddings - divorce – funerals- vacations – road trips - Children – Grandchildren. . Thru the laughter and tears.
Special memories of Barbara, she is one of the smartest woman I knew – Her 4 Children were great – who gave her a large number of grandkids that she was so proud of – and she always had a picture to show you of them with a story and how they grew. I had the opportunity to meet and get to know her parents that she loved and was so proud. Debbie, I can’t forget getting to know and love her baby sister, by 5 years…. Barbara was unhappy when Debbie came along………… and goodness gracious they became best friends..(I’m sure all of us feel that way with a younger sibling. Over the years we had many dinners and times with Debbie especially when she came for visits and Barb and Deb went to Maine Owls Head for vacation and Kennebunk. They two of them were like the ever ready bunnies so much energy and much to do. Barb and Deb loved to stop at Churches that had Strawberry Short-cakes for sale!
October, 1991 as Barbara was getting ready to move to North Carolina to move closer to Amy and family. She planned to purchase a new car, I went with her to Herb Chamers/Woburn… I talked her in to getting one with fog-lights, and I said you’ll thank me later (actually she thanked me many times, as Amy house was out in the country with very dark roads…. I don’t think she every brough another car without fog-lights! ……. I drove Barbara to her new apartment in North Carolina with 1st a weekend stop at Nina & family in New Jersey (I remember as we attended a Halloween Party – and we found some fun costumes. Stayed for a about a week to help Barbara to get settled in – fly back – and, couldn’t believe it – it then snowed …. Luck will have it – she lived right next to a grocery store… too funny as Barb was looking for to NO snow! .
March 2004 – Barb, Elaine and I took a 2 week-vacation to Italy……. Barb planned it so it was fun going into homes for making pizza, eating dinner – and I remember Elaine and Barb took a train ride to a little town/village --- and the folks spoke Italian only – no other English speaking tourists around -- I think they almost didn’t make it back same day, now that’s what you call an adventure. We all loved the trip and had a great time.
April, 2005 Barbara celebrating her 70th Birthday – Elaine and I were fortunately able to make the Birthday Bash! … so sweet to have in April instead of February – it was great the whole family was there and I still have and wear the T-shirt.
Barbara, I’m going to miss you! .. and you did live an awesome, full life!
Kathi Milton
-
Kathi, thank you so much for sharing the wonderful memories. I hope you are doing Ok during these difficult times. -- Nina
*****
I rememberBarbara from Monroe High School in Rochester NY. She was a bright light in our class. Sadly missed by all. Dave McNair
*****
I met Barbara in Boston when she worked as an Editor for EG&G. The publication division hired me since they needed a graphic designer who could produce their monthly news magazine. This was around the early 70's. We spent time at my apartment in Arlington MA and I always cooked. It was my thing and always invited people over. I knew very little about her past except info on her two daughters Amy/Nina.
Our connection was Maine and each of us loved Acadia National Park. It's funny how people can feel comfortable with someone and never understand how that works. Not a love interest since I was single and running around dating. Barbara was a smart intellectual woman and more than enough for me. Does that make sense? We kept in touch for many years until I went back to school full time In Boston. Then married and moved to Malaysia. But we always kept in touch during my moves, New Zealand, California, Hawaii. I knew she was not doing well in Carrboro but most people don't talk about medical issues. That came about when Nina called me and said her Mom passed away. It's always a shock and felt bad knowing I should have kept in touch with her more. Nina said my postcards were always on her fridge Barbara was one on my best friends in Boston. She was a good person and raised successful children. Missed by all
John Flaherty, Hilo Hawaii
*****
Remembering Barbara from the days of our childhood in Rocheser and as campers at JCC Seneca Lake.
Arlene Eichen Stolnitz
*****
My partner and I LOVED being Barbara’s next door neighbors in Carrboro for a few years! She was a wonderful friend and neighbor. All of our love and best thoughts to Barbara’s family.
Taylor Starns
Hi Taylor. It's good to hear from you. My Mom loved being your neighbor too. I know you looked out for her and helped her many times. Thank you for doing that. Please take care.
Nina Bohrod
*****
I first met Barbara at Peer Learning. Somehow I thought she'd been there forever. When she decided to give up “leading” Kitchen Table, Maddy and I took over for her. Until I started planning and vocalizing I had no idea how much work it was! That, and Shakespeare, and all the other talents she shared with us at Peer Learning gave her “special status” in my book!
In addition, I worked out in the water with her. When there was no instructor she took over and led the class in typical Barbara “Let’s do it!” style. She got me involved with the UNC Senior Mentor program and who knows what else she would have pulled me into if the pandemic hadn’t interrupted life as we knew it.
I’m so sorry for your loss, for our loss. I’m glad you were able to be with her during her final days.
She was a very special person and she will be missed here. May her memory be for a blessing.
Leslie Stewart
*****
I met Barbara at a Peer Luncheon about 2006. She mentioned volunteering for the upcoming election in one of our churches in our neighborhood , starting a wonderful friendship. Barbara was also involved with the Peer Learning Curriculum and invited me to one of her meetings to her home. She had found the most interesting people to present lectures.
During the summer of 2010 Barbara mentioned to me the Sun Magazine she read at the library. She found an interesting topic in there where a topic was given and readers could write about it. " How about trying the same concept for a group at Peer Learning ?" Barbara was thinking and decided to introduce the idea in the Fall. She called it " Friends Around The Kitchen Table " after a poem. We had the first session in September of 2010. We participants of "Kitchen Table" became good friends during all these years,knowing each other's first name, shared stories about our families and much more, and yes, we cried and laughed together. After many years others took over with the same enthusiasm and interest - THANK YOU BARBARA !! I will miss you , but will always be thankful having known you.
Jutta Kuenzler
*****
I’m happy to now know a bit about your wonderful mom. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing.
Mary Daunis
*****
I was fortunate to meet Barbara when we both volunteered for the Friends of the Chapel Hill Public Library. In our four years at the Bookstore I knew her to be intelligent and well read. She was so alive and fun and I have missed her. She often talked of her family and how much she loved to travel to be with them.
*****
I met Barbara as a fellow swimmer, i swimming laps between her earlier water aerobics class and the later class, and we often met and chatted in the dressing room. She always had a smile, and although I knew she dealt with various health issues,, I never heard her comment or complain. We met for coffee after swims; I gave her rides a few times when her car was being serviced. I wish I'd known her better. It was always a joy to see her and I've missed her since being closed down by the pandemic. I will always remember her smile and good humor.
Asta Crowe
*****
Barb introduced several classes to Peer Learning of Chapel Hill which I learned to enjoy. As a nerdy techie and generally quiet fly on the wall, I was drawn out into the social group of peers in this group.
Around the Kitchen Table became a standard for all of our classes in that the meaning of PEER in peer learning stood out to me. Each of us could add to the topic of the week in a 5 minute allocation or we could choose to pass. Thus, we each was an equal and also free to just listen. Frequently, new peers would pass at first but after hearing others contribute, would decide to add their own vignettes to the group. This class alone created the peer community we have become. Her introduction of Reading Shakespeare to us with the random assignment of rolls by act gave every peer the chance at a minor or major role which would change in the next act. You could be King Lear, the 4th soldier or Ophelia regardless of personal gender. Fairness and equality were used and added to the general character of our group.
Barbara frequently joined us at lunches, 3rd Friday out on the town lunches and special lunches over summer breaks.
Peer Learning is a social as well as intellectual learning group where each can contribute according to our speciality.
Barbara added that special element which made us more that another way to sit and be lectured by another.
We are all better for becoming peers rather than buns on benches.
Jim Neeley
*****
Barb was such a fun person to have around. I met her at our water aerobics class in 2001. We experienced the deaths of many friends from that class, until finally we were the only original class members left. I always thought Barbara was quite brave to move to a new city, a new state, and not knowing anyone in Chapel Hill at that time. But she wasn't one to sit around....she got busy! In addition to Peer Learning, Barbara had friends from the Chapel Hill Senior Center and other groups that were fun for her. She made friends easily, and I was always glad that I could be one of them!
Sherri Davis
*****
My mom was my best friend. I will miss talking to her every week about the latest books and movies and the most recent political outrages. My mother taught me about social justice and to speak out against inequities and injustices I observed -- whether on the grade school playground or on the other side of the world. She taught me to take great joy in teaching and learning. In later years she dealt with even very difficult situations with grace and good humor. I hope to grow up to be just like her.
Nina Bohrod