Gideon Chern

Gideon Chern was born in Iasi, Romania, on August 3, 1936. His family survived the Holocaust,
living through much trauma, including the Nazis taking over their home, and setting it on fire
when they were the sore losers. He studied at the Iasi Polytechnic Institute, earning the
Romanian equivalent of a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Always ahead of his time, Gidi wrote his master’s thesis on microwaves long before a
microwave oven was standard in every kitchen. Years later, already in the United States, he
delighted his young daughters by obtaining a prototype microwave oven for his own home, also
ages before anyone else had one.

While a student, Gidi was the editor of the school paper. Since nobody else wanted to waste
time writing articles instead of studying, he used to produce the entire newspaper on his own,
using pseudonyms of non-existent classmates. Later, when he was posted to a small country
town for compulsory work, and was told to spruce it up for an upcoming visit by the communists,
he painted the whole town green. Gidi was always known for his sense of humor and his
idiosyncratic take on regular things.

Gidi met the love of his life, Relly Davigner, when she was a disgraced medical school reject,
thrown out of medical school for daring to want to leave Romania. He was having his appendix
out and she was a nursing assistant assigned to his ward. They married civilly in Romania in
1961, and then Relly left for Paris with her parents and sister. A year later, Gidi joined Relly in
Paris, where they were married again in a Jewish ceremony. Together with his parents, they
emigrated to the United States, already expecting Vivian. Twenty-two months later they had
Denny. Over the next few years, they were joined in the United States by much of their extended
family.

Once in the United States, Gidi worked as an engineer for some years, assigned to marine
military projects and thereby qualifying for citizenship before anyone else in his family. He
started his own company when he designed a machine that would build concrete walls all at
once – an early 3-D printer.

Gidi eventually left engineering to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a capitalist, and
worked as a merchant banker, meeting many influential people, as well as politicians and actors
along the way. Relly fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor, and the two became a true New
York power couple.

During his varied career, Gidi was on the District Six School Board in Washington Heights,
ensuring that his daughters could have a good education in a safe school. He was instrumental
in turning PS 187 into PS/IS 187, one of the few K through 8 schools in New York City, and in
launching the free school lunch program for those in need. He had the opportunity to meet
President Reagan at the White House with an autographed photo of the moment. Both
daughters became doctors, and produced a total of four amazing grandchildren: Barak,
Matthew, and Evan Shnaidman, and Rachel Kelk. Gidi was able to attend his oldest grandson
Barak’s wedding last June, where he had a great time. All his grandchildren continue Gidi’s
legacy of prioritizing education and self-sufficiency.

Gidi never met a stranger. He was always outgoing and gregarious. He could make a trip to the
farmer’s market into an international espionage adventure. He always loved his Romanian roots
and was proud of being descended from the Stefanesti Rabbinical family, and from Jews who
came to Romania from Spain after the inquisition. He believed Romania was the source of most
great inventions: “Rome? Why do they call it Rome? Because ROMANIA!” He made us laugh
so much! We will always miss him and his memory will always be a blessing.

Gideon Chern, August 3, 1936 – February 23, 2023

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