Marshall S. Yablon, former JUF Board member, has passed away. He was 72.

Yablon served on the JUF Board of Directors from 2007-2009 and on many of its committees, including Audit, Administration and Government Affairs; he was vice chairman of the Contributor Account Relations Committee as well. Over three decades of JUF leadership, he co-chaired its King David Society and Vanguard Event, and served as chairman of JUF’s Trades, Industries, and Professionals Division and its Medical Professionals Division. For many years, he participated in JUF Snowbird events in Phoenix and was a longtime member of JUF’s Silver Circle.

He was an ardent Zionist and supporter of Israel, travelling on many JUF Missions there. He was one of the original committee members of Partnership 2000-today called Partnership Together-and had recently rejoined the committee, participating in two of the last site visits.

A leader at JUF-supported agencies as well, Yablon served as Chairman of the Board of CJE SeniorLife, where he was Life Member of its board. He also was Vice President of the Board of the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago after serving as president of both the Heller and Horwich JCCs.

“He was a kind and thoughtful man who was deeply committed to the Jewish community, here in Chicago and around the world, and someone who believed strongly in the importance of Jewish continuity and education,” said JUF President Dr. Steven B. Nasatir.

“When Marshall discussed ideas with you and became your friend, he paid you the highest compliment,” said Rabbi Yehiel E. Poupko, JUF Judaic Scholar, in his eulogy. “To the needs of the Jewish people, he leant passion, commitment, and deep reasoning grounded in learning. Today, he is our teacher.”

Yablon received his BA from New York University and his MBA in Health Care Administration from The George Washington University, which later gave him its Distinguished Alumni Award. He served as a preceptor for the University of Chicago and Northwestern University MBA programs in hospital administration.

He moved to Chicago from New York 45 years ago. He had been a hospital administrator Brooklyn’s Maimonides Medical Center, then moved to Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, where he advanced to become Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer.

Thirty-five years ago, he co-founded Diversified Health Resources, Inc. Principal and Chairman of this firm, he consulted in healthcare planning, marketing, and executive search for a broad range of healthcare institutions including community hospitals, multi-hospital systems, nursing homes, and retirement facilities. Yablon was a longtime member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Life Member of the American Hospital Association.

Yablon was a member of the Standard and Caxton Clubs, and served on the Aspen Music Festival’s National Council. After Diversified, Yablon- a longtime collector of antique books and supporter of the Newberry Library- co-founded, and served as president of, Apple Tree Publishing. Through the JCCs, he helped support events featuring major Jewish authors including Cynthia Ozick, Saul Bellow, and I.B. Singer.

The funeral was held on Jan. 7 at Anshe Emet Synagogue; Yablon was a longtime member and had served on its Endowment Committee. Senior Rabbi Michael Siegal and Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi officiated. “Marshall wanted to make sure that the community served each individual from the youngest to the most senior,” Siegal said in his eulogy. “Marshall gave his all to the Jewish community, and he made a significant difference.”

Services were followed by interment will be at Westlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were made by The Goldman Funeral Group.

Yablon was the husband of Andrea R. Yablon (nee Rice), a JUF Board member and Chair of the JUF Overall Planning and Allocations Committee, and the father of Alexis (David Seidman) Yablon. He was the grandfather of Leah Y. and Lincoln Y. Seidman and brother of Steven (Jana) Yablon and Ronald (Marla) Yablon. The son of the late Irving and Sadie Yablon, he was the son-in-law of Vivian E. and late Robert W. Rice, and brother-in-law of Sara (David) Baron. The nephew of Arthur S. (Rochelle) Elstein, he was an uncle, cousin and friend of many.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to JUF or CJE Senior Life would be welcomed.