Alvin M. Extein, longtime businessman, attorney, active alumnus on behalf of Washington University in St. Louis, and a member of the St. Louis Jewish Light Board of Trustees and later its Advisory Committee, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007, in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 88. Mr. Extein had been a lifelong resident of St. Louis prior to moving to Boca Raton in 2005 with his wife Lee. At Mr. Extein’s funeral service held last Sunday at Berger Memorial Chapel in St. Louis, he was remembered with fondness by family members, friends and Rabbi Bernard Lipnick, rabbi emeritus of Congregation B’nai Amoona, who officiated.

Alvin Extein was born in Philadelphia on Dec. 17, 1918, the son of Mae and Edward Extein. The family moved to St. Louis, where Mr. Extein grew up, and where he attended Clayton High School. Mr. Extein was known and admired for his keen intellect which enabled him to graduate from Clayton High School at the age of 16, after which he attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a bachelor of science degree and later a doctor of law degree from its school of law. Mr. Extein served as managing editor of Student Life, the undergraduate student newspaper at Washington University, in 1939, and maintained a passionate interest in newspapers and current affairs throughout his life. He was a longtime and active member of the St. Louis Jewish Light Board of Trustees, its Editorial Committee and Advisory Committee, often contributing ideas and observations on stories, editorials and features. Several members of the Jewish Light Board who served with Mr. Extein recalled his enthusiasm for current events, his wide-ranging interests and knowledge, and his optimistic, often humorous take on the events of the day.

Mr. Extein served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in the Pacific. He returned home to join his father, the late Edward Extein, in the family wholesale diamond and diamond importing business. Alvin Extein later took over the business and owned Extein & Co. until he retired after more than 30 years of service.

Mr. Extein was very active for many years in alumni activities for Washington University and the Washington University School of Law. He also served on the board of the University City Library.

Mr. Extein was affiliated with Congregation B’nai Amoona and Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel during his years in St. Louis. Rabbi Bernard Lipnick, rabbi emeritus of B’nai Amoona, officiated at the funeral service, and Rabbi Mordecai Miller of BSKI conducted memorial services at the home of Mr. Extein’s sister, Sylvia Cherrick.

At the funeral service, Rabbi Lipnick took note of Mr. Extein’s decision to choose the middle name Maimonides. “Just as the original Maimonides possessed one of the greatest intellects in the long history of the Jewish people, and an incredibly wide range of interests and expertise, so did Alvin Extein in our time. So it was appropriate that Alvin chose Maimonides to be his middle name.” Rabbi Lipnick said that following Shabbat, “there was an extraordinary gathering of Alvin’s family, including his wife of nearly 61 years, Lee, their children and grandchildren,where there was a great outpouring of anecdotes, reminiscences and wonderful memories of the beloved Alvin who has been taken from us, but whose influence will be felt for many years.”

Among those who spoke at the funeral service in tribute to Mr. Extein were his sister, Sylvia Cherrick, his sons Irl Extein and Mark Extein, Melissa Extein, his oldest granddaughter and grandson Jason Extein. Paul Wagman, longtime family friend, also offered remarks and memories of Mr. Extein and his influence on his life and the lives of many others.

In her remarks, Sylvia Cherrick recalled of her brother, “Alvin and I were five years apart in age, but he was seven years ahead of me in school, since he was so bright that his teachers would double-promote him. He started Washington University at the age of 16. We never had a single argument during our lives as brother and sister. During World War II, I wrote him a letter every single day he served until he came home.”

In his remarks, Dr. Irl Extein said, “During our teen years, my brother Mark and I and our friends enjoyed what could be called a Jewish U. City version of an 18th century intellectual Paris salon, where Dad would hold forth on the events of the day, flavored by his somewhat caustic wit. Dad recalled that his father had escaped from the czar in Russia and came to Philadelphia at the age of 16. Dad never forgot his own humble beginnings and never failed to make donations to numerous charities, including the small ones, through the years.”

Mr. Extein was also active for many years in leadership positions for the annual Jewish Federation Campaign. He served several terms as chairman of the Jewelers Group in the Trades and Professions Division. He chaired the Jewelers Group in 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1959.

Son Mark Extein also recalled, “My father was very intelligent and had a tremendous range of interests. We used to watch the General Electric College Quiz Bowl on Sunday mornings and Dad always came up with the answers in history, literature and other subjects.”

Speaking on behalf of Mr. Extein’s grandchildren, Melissa Extein said, “He loved his morning newspaper and had a playful streak, often slipping one of us a hard candy at unexpected moments, and giving us a closed-mouth smile to show he was enjoying one as well.”

Grandson Jason recalled, “Many of our memories of our grandfather are funny, but we also remember how well he connected with people. He was unpretensiously charitable, giving to hundreds of causes. He was a devout Jew, who stayed in touch with his family members and friends.”

In his remarks, Paul Wagman, a longtime friend recalled, “Once, when the subject of fog came up, Alvin jumped up and found his copy of Charles Dickens’s Bleak House, where he read aloud Dickens’s beautiful description of fog. That was vintage Alvin, part teacher, part mentor, part court jester.”

During his years in St. Louis, Mr. Extein resided in Clayton, University City and later Chesterfield. He is survived by his wife, Lee, the former Leadora Sparberg, of Boca Raton, Fla.; his sons, Irl Extein, M.D., a physician in Boca Raton, Fla., and Mark Extein, an attorney in Washington, D.C., a daugther-in-law, Lynn; a sister, Sylvia Cherrick, of University City, as well as six grandchildren, Melissa, Jason, Andrew, Seth, Brian and Jonathan Extein.

Burial was at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road.