Merle Fischlowitz, Ph.D., passed away peacefully at his Honolulu home, on January 31, 2024. Merle was born June 12, 1932, in St. Louis, MO, the first child of the late Bernard and Ruth Epstein Fischlowitz. Merle earned a BA degree at Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA. He received a master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and his Ph.D. from St. Louis University.
Merle’s long career can be summarized in three stages. First, over 15 years as school counselor and director of psychological services in public schools in St. Louis and a community college in Washington, DC. Then 15 years as psychologist in private practice in Honolulu, HI. On his retirement in 1991 he moved to California. A resident of San Diego from 1993 -2021, the third part of his career was serving on the boards of his synagogue and Jewish community groups as well as classical music groups.
During the 30 years Merle lived in San Diego he served on the boards of Jewish Family Services, and Temple Adat Shalom, 2 years as president; and on boards of several classical music organizations. He also published three poetry books, one book of short stories, and a memoir of technological changes he had experienced in his lifetime. In 2021 Merle returned to Honolulu, HI.
Merle was preceded in death by his first wife, Bernell Stein (1934-2017), his brother Alan (1937-2010), his son Benjamin (1972-2018) and his third wife Teresa Fischlowitz (1937-2023).
Merle is survived by his daughters Elodie McAllister and Dr. Sara F. Davis (Jimmy) and sons Arlen Fischlowitz (Patti), Richard Fischlowitz (Tammy) and Robert Fischlowitz (Tammy) along with his former wife Barbara Fischlowitz-Leong (Michael) and sister Sue Fischlowitz (David Roberts), grandchildren Elyssa (Ben) Holzer, Andrea Fischlowitz, (Brandon Weiss), Ross McAllister, Summer Rose Fischlowitz and Hannah, Delilah and James Kainoa Davis. Merle is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren, Jude and Eden Holzer and Mika and Felix Weiss.
The family would like to extend their greatest thanks to all of the wonderful caregivers over the years in Honolulu and San Diego.
Donations in Merle’s memory may be made to the Camp Sabra Fischlowitz Scholarship fund c/o Jewish Community Centers, St. Louis, Mo.
Graveside services were held on February 4, 2024 at Abrahams Gardens, Hawaii Memorial Park.
