Ira is Ill

I learned on Sunday April 4th that my good friend, Ira Gershin, is very ill, and might well pass away by the middle of May. I hope to go to Las Vegas to see him soon, but there are a variety of obstacles that will likely delay or complicate that trip. So, until matters clarify, I will start looking for pictures and other information chronicling our 34 years of friendship.

Ira Gershin, at Metro Pizza in Las Vegas, NV, about May 21, 2011.

In 1978, in the company of friends Jeff Anderson and Ira Gershin, I tried to reproduce my 1975 Grand Canyon trip with David Baltz, but we met powerful obstacles. The temperature was much hotter than on the 1975 trip, and we lost valuable time trying to puzzle out a descent after we lost the trail. We ran out of water on the burning south-facing cliff faces. So, we retreated and opted instead to travel to Zion National Park, in southwestern Utah.

Ira Gershin, early June, 1978.

Just as we had run out of water at the Grand Canyon, we began to run out of money in Zion. We decided to go to Las Vegas, in order to get closer to 'civilization'.

In Las Vegas, we decided to phone home for money if necessary, but decided to first try self-reliance. We pooled what money we had left and gave it to Ira to try his luck at the blackjack table. Ira was successful! He more-than-doubled our money!

The previous day we had to brush ants off of cheese blocks in order to eat anything at all, but now we were in the lap of luxury. We saw Bill Cosby perform his comedy act (I think it was at the old MGM Grand, before the big fire, and now called Bally's), and we ate our fill at the buffet lunch, before returning to Albuquerque.

Daniel Gershin's Bar Mitzvah Celebration, October 25, 2008, following the Orthodox Bar Mitzvah Service At Chabad Of Summerlin, earlier in the day. Left: Mazeltov to Daniel Gershin! On the left is his Uncle, Sam, and on the right is his Father, Ira.

Beth Gershin's Bat Mitzvah About January 22, 2006.  Beth's friends help her light the last of the candles in the candle-lighting ceremony.

Time for a conga line! Pleasant and fun celebration with the extended Gershin clan at the Santa Fe Casino in Las Vegas. Two DJs/MCs led lots of party games, including Coke/Pepsi races across the dance floor, the Limbo, a Conga Line, and numerous other diversions.

Marci and Ira at daughter Rachel's Bat Mitzvah, January 17, 2004.