Originally published in the Houston Chronicle on July 1, 2002

Permanent Link and Guest Book

 

MALCOLM CLIVE GLUCKMAN- passed away peacefully and with great dignity in Houston on Saturday June 29, 2002, after a valiant and brave struggle following a liver transplant. Born January 1, 1965 in Johannesburg, South Africa, beloved son of Shirley K. Cohn and Harold Gluckman, and dearest brother of Gail and Lynn, Malcolm and his family came to Houston 25 years ago. Excelling in everything he did, Malcolm was a Houston middle-school swimming champion, winning 3 gold medals soon after his arrival.

He graduated from St. John's School with honors, and from University of Texas with a BBA in Finance and Real Estate. At the University of Texas, where he began his life-long commitment to community volunteering, he was a member of the elite Texas Cowboys and Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity.

Malcolm was an avid sports fan, being an "A" team soccer player his whole life, both at school and college. He attended the World Cup Soccer twice. During his last weeks in hospital, he watched soccer matches whenever he could.

He was a commercial real estate broker with C-B Richard Ellis since 1988. In 2001 he was recognized as one of the Top 10 producers, and promoted to Vice-President, even while battling a debilitating illness. A skilled businessman and negotiator, he earned the respect of his colleagues and many loyal clients.

Malcolm volunteered his time and resources to the community, from tutoring Inner-City kids (I Have A Dream program) to being a Big Brother, delivering Meals-on-Wheels and supporting the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. He served in many leadership capacities; as a Board Member of the American Liver Foundation; Board member of AIPAC, ADL National Young Leadership Conference, participated in the Washington Conference and was the Chairman of Young Adult Division (Jewish Federation) Mitzvah Day.

He volunteered for the "Night Owls"- a group of mentally challenged adults who meet once a week at the JCC. One of the "Mitzvah Day" projects he organized for them was an outing to a bowling alley, which they enjoyed so much they asked him to extend their allotted time. With his usual charisma, he did that, much to their delight. Malcolm was particularly beloved of this group, because he accepted them for what they were, and always treated them as equals. He will be very missed by them all.

A world traveler Malcolm ran with the bulls in Pamplona, saw the Olympic Games, went to India as a Rotary Club ambassador and visited Thailand, Hong Kong, the middle East and many European countries while also traveling extensively in the USA. He had a host of friends around the globe, all of who kept in constant contact with him.

He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, a class act from the way he enjoyed life, his sense of dress style, and his deep care and concern for others less fortunate. He was humble and very reserved but had a wicked quick wit and sharp sense of humor. He will be remembered for his incredible strength in the face of adversity, his determination not to let his circumstances affect how he lived his life, and his true acts of heroism.

Malcolm was very instrumental in obtaining most of the funding for the recent Hadassah city-wide Pikuah Nefesh Organ Donation program held at the JCC in April, and he also spoke at the program, encouraging others to become donors. As an organ transplant recipient, and himself an organ donor, Malcolm and his family are committed to the Organ Donation Program, and a special way to honor and remember him would be to consider becoming an organ donor.

He is deeply mourned and will be sadly missed by his mother Shirley and her husband Alan Cohn, his father Harold and his wife Martha, his sisters Gail and Lynn, and brothers-in-law Ilan Kuperman and Loren Chorn, extended family and many friends. His funeral was held on Monday July 1, 2002 at Beth Yeshurun Cemetery.

Charitable contributions in Malcolm's memory may be made to The Young Adult Division (Federation) 5603 S. Braeswood, Houston 77096 or to the American Liver Foundation, 2425 West Loop South, Suite 660 Houston, 77027.

 

 

Biography | Eulogies | Stories | Charities | Transplant Info | Submissions | Pictures | Tributes