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University Mourns Loss Of 'Doc' Estrin

Herman "Doc" Estrin, an emeritus professor of English at NJIT and an educator for more than 60 years, died Friday, May 7, at the Westfield Center, in Westfield, N.J., after a short illness. He was 83.

Born June 2, 1915, Estrin began his teaching career at the Grant School in South Plainfield, N.J., in 1938, and recently concluded 50 years of teaching at NJIT. He is a 1933 graduate of North Plainfield High School and a 1937 graduate of Drew University, where he received an honorary degree last year. He received his master's degree from Columbia University, in 1942, and his doctorate from Columbia, in 1954.

Dr. Estrin, a resident of Scotch Plains, N.J., served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from 1942-1946, attaining the rank of captain.

Estrin joined NJIT, then Newark College of Engineering, as an instructor of English, in 1946. He touched the lives of NCE and NJIT students for more than five decades. Until his retirement, in 1981, he was advisor for almost every student publication at the university, including the school newspaper, yearbook, literary magazine and technical magazine. He is founder of the "The Log," the student handbook.

"Doc Estrin by a wide margin was the most asked for professor whenever I visited alumni groups throughout the nation and world," said NJIT President Saul K. Fenster. "Doc not only taught students how to write, he kindled an interest in the arts and communications. He was a wonderful teacher and friend to students. Everyone at NJIT will miss Doc. He had a profound impact on the university."

In 1976, Estrin initiated the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame at NJIT, which includes the most prestigious writers from the Garden State.

"He's an icon," said Mary Higgins Clark, who has written numerous best-selling suspense novels and is a member of the Hall of Fame.

For 30 years, the Estrin Scholarships have been given to NJIT students showing leadership in extracurricular activities.

"Doc was an outstanding teacher and an even better friend," said John Gregorits, '51, '62, president on the NJIT Alumni Association. " He will be missed by the generations of alumni who are better for having known him."

He was the first recipient of NJIT's Robert W. Van Houten Excellence in Teaching Award in 1970, and was given the 1971 Western Electric Fund Award for excellence in the instruction of engineering students, and the Distinguished Teaching Award by the New Jersey Council of Teachers of English.

Organizations such as the National Council of College Publication Advisors, which gave him the Distinguished Newspaper Advisor Award; the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, which presented him the Gold Key Award; the New Jersey Scholastic Press Association; and the Wall Street Journal have recognized Estrin's outstanding accomplishments.

Estrin, who authored numerous publications and lectured and made presentations internationally, served as president of the New Jersey Council of Teachers of English; the New Jersey College English Association; Pi Delta Upsilon, the collegiate journalism society; and the National Council of College Publications.

Estrin received the Silver Medal from the mayor of Paris for teaching chemical engineering graduate students at the University of Paris. In 1995, Estrin was inducted as a charter member of the North Plainfield High School Alumni Hall of Fame.

Estrin is survived by his wife, Pearl, son, Robert, and daughter, Cari.

A service was held Monday, May 10, 10:30 a.m., at the Higgins Funeral Home, 209 West 8th St., Plainfield, N.J. Following the service, he was buried at B'nai Abraham Memorial Park, Route 22, Union, N.J.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the Estrin Scholarships through NJIT's Office of University Advancement, ext. 3400.

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