Nathan Singer

Nathan Singer

April 7, 1934 – September 11, 2024

Nathan passed away unexpectedly on a flight to New York. He was 90. He and his wife, Merle II, were traveling to an East Coast family reunion and to celebrate their upcoming 57th wedding anniversary.

Nathan began his life where it ended, on the East Coast. A native of Camden New Jersey, his parents were Jacob Singer and Gertrude Berg Singer. Nathan retained the distinctive remnants of his New Jersey accent despite having lived in California for decades. 

He had artistic leanings from an early age, but he was from an era that expected him to find a steady and stable profession. Nathan attended Temple University in Philadelphia and graduated with a degree from the School of Pharmacy (1956). He owned pharmacies in Camden, NJ and Santa Monica, CA. 

He married his first wife Merle, and they had two children, Ruth Ann and Joseph Bernard. They were married for 7 years, and 7 years after their marriage ended, he was introduced to his second wife, also named Merle (Minkoff)!

When Nathan invited Merle II (the second) on their first date, he warned her in advance that he would be picking her up on his BMW motorcycle. While the mode of transport would seem on the surface to signify a rebellious or dangerous approach to life, he made sure he had a helmet for Merle, betraying his true caring/careful nature. Merle passed his “love me, love my motorcycle” test. Nathan and Merle II have been married since September 14, 1967. Together they welcomed a son, Isaac Jacob, (October 1, 1970 - August 28, 2022). They moved to Los Angeles in 1981.

A talented artist, Nathan has expressed himself over the years using a variety of mediums and experimenting with diverse styles and techniques. Their Hollywood Hills home is filled with his works from various periods. He had been actively involved at the Barnsdall Art Center, participating in uninstructed life drawing studies and art shows. His most recent passion had been life studies drawn with ink, accented with bright spots of color to emphasize the beauty of the human figure. His works are display on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/nathansingerartist/  as well as on his website, https://nathansingerartistgallery.com/.

Nathan’s attraction to “bright spots” could also be found in his style of dress. He was known for his expressive floral shirts (custom made, of course) and distinctive hats. Always interested and engaged, he was a colorful character and beloved member of his community.

Services celebrating Nathan’s life will be at 10:00 am, Friday, September 27, 2024 – Mt. Sinai Hollywood, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive.

Remembrances in honor of his memory can be made to:

Feeding America - https://www.feedingamerica.org/

Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles - https://www.jfsla.org/

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - https://www.stjude.org/

The Sun Magazine - https://www.thesunmagazine.org/

Charity Navigator's Giving Basket - https://www.charitynavigator.org/donor-basics/tools-for-giving/giving-basket/