Allan D. Sobel

LEWISBURG - Allan D. Sobel, 63, of Lewisburg, PA died at the Sun Home Hospice Care Center with his family by his side on November 23, 2010. His impact on the judicial system, family and friends will live forever. Al was born March 1, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest son of Belle Sapstein of Boca Raton, Florida and the late David I. Sobel. Al graduated magnum cum laude from Lewis and Clark College's Northwestern School of Law in Oregon in 1977. His career was devoted to promoting justice in many forms and facets. Al practiced law from 1977-1997 in Oregon and Michigan, primarily representing defendants in criminal proceedings and parties in professional malpractice actions. From 1997 to 2000, Al served as executive director and general counsel of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, an organization responsible for enforcement of the Code of Judicial Conduct in Michigan. In his tenure there, Al set a record for filing misconduct complaints and secured disciplines against judges who failed to meet their ethical responsibilities. From 2000 to 2006, Al held the position of executive director of the American Judicature Society (AJS), which is an independent, national, nonpartisan organization of judges, lawyers, and other members of the public who seek to improve the justice system. He was responsible for all AJS operations at its office in Chicago and then facilitated the move of the AJS headquarters to Des Moines in 2003 where he and his wife lived until 2006. After 6 years with AJS, Al and his wife moved to Central Pennsylvania as Al served as the first full-time director of the Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society at Susquehanna University. Judge Adams, for whom the center was named, and a past president of AJS said that Al "did magnificent work as the Director of the American Judicature Society and then continued his unique skills at the Center for Law and Society. He was always courteous, supportive and positive in any task he undertook. And above all, he was most innovative and concerned about what was best for Society and the public good. He was a warm and cherished friend." Al was devoted to his family. He married Elayne (Weiss) Sobel on November 25, 1977. In their 33 years together, Al and Elayne lived in five states and found life-long friends in each of those communities. Al and Elayne raised two daughters, Rebecca Cornish of Lewisburg, PA and Lee Portwood of Northumberland, PA. In addition to his mother, wife and two daughters, Al leaves behind his son-in-law Michael Portwood and 2 grandsons, Tyler Cornish and Ethan Portwood, who will remember him fondly as "Zaide." He will also be missed by his best canine buddy, Manny. Al is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Arnold and Barbara Korne of Toronto, Canada and Samuel and Carole Sobel of Boca Raton, FL. He will also be remembered by his mother-in-law and father-in-law Blanche and Frank Weiss of Cincinnati, OH and brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws Janet Weiss, Aurora, Indiana; Douglas and Peggy Weiss, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Peggie and Gregg Johnson of Dallas, Oregon. Al was an uncle to many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Besides his father, Al was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Roger Weiss and nephew Daniel Sobel, as well as one of his favorite doting aunts, Fan Nevins. Al was a wonderful advisor to his family, friends and colleagues. He will be remembered as a huge fan of Detroit sports teams (Red Wings, Tigers, Lions & Pistons). Those who knew him best would say he laughed too hard at his own jokes and that act brought joy to many. Al was an extremely hard worker who was completely dedicated to whatever he was focused on in any given moment. Most of all, he was a proud father and grandfather and cherished husband. Al Sobel touched many lives and will be held in our hearts. Al was a member of Congregation Beth El in Sunbury, PA. Rabbi Nina Mandel of Congregation Beth El will be officiating at the funeral service on Friday, November 26, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at Allen & Redmond Funeral Home, 331 Elmira St., Williamsport, PA, followed immediately by burial at Congregation Ohev Sholom Cemetery in Williamsport, with Rabbi Shaul Rappeport officiating. Al worked throughout his career to improve access to justice. In the months preceding his death, he helped create the Central Susquehanna Valley Mediation Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, so that members of the community might attempt to resolve child custody and other conflicts through mediation rather than litigation. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with his wishes, any donation in Al's memory can be made to Central Susquehanna Valley Mediation Center, P.O. Box 604, Lewisburg, PA, 17837. In keeping with Jewish tradition, there will be no viewing or flowers.