Theodore Nussbaum
Theodore "Ted” Nussbaum Obituary
After a journey of 43 years together, my husband, Theodore Nussbaum passed away on Nov 3rd, at the age of 90. One ordinary morning eight months ago, he was on his way to the library, and wound up in ER and then Rehab, a few blocks from home, a million miles from his life.
Ted grew up in Rockaway Beach, and after college he was a typist in the military. Intrigued by the law and respectful of it, he went on to become an attorney, and eventually a partner in Mayer, Nussbaum, Katz & Baker, P.C. representing Atlantic Records. Years later, he opened his own practice in the industry. He wielded granular knowledge of music contracts, licensing, and royalties.
He was a humble story teller of his experiences, and focused on the influence the artist had on the music industry rather than name dropping. He told of artists’ life experiences as reflected by the times and the impact it had on their lives.
Wanting to make a difference, he volunteered as an arbitrator in Small Claims Court in NYC for 25 years to ascertain that people of limited means saw justice, and published a lively blog as “Arbitration Man.”
He was the quintessential New Yorker and master words man with worldly curiosity. He was a voracious reader, and delighted in sharing biographical aspects of obituaries and wedding announcements. Book signings and lectures at Roosevelt House captured his interest.
He loved music and would often pour himself a brandy and listen to a CD or the radio. He attributed his ability to listen to and appreciate music to a professor at Queens College.
Also in earlier years, he spent time with an old-time gardener and learned to love working the soil. He was the resident gardener at home. In time, Central Park became his garden.
Ted was a man of substance who always wore a jacket, sensible shoes, and a hat and carried a brief case. He took courses at Hunter College and basked in intellectual stimulation. He severed ties with the computer, and claimed to be the only person without a cell phone.
He was a member of the Met Mob, a group of friends who regularly met at the Metropolitan Museum for culture and conversation.
He had a collection of what he referred to as “Pocketa Pocketa” items, mostly old hand made tools. He arranged them around the perimeter of a room which then became known as Ted’s Museum. He gave personal tours of his collection, describing the craftsmanship of each item, and creating background information about the ghost user.
He will always be in the hearts of those he left behind: Anita Poll, wife; four children Larry (Ayelet) Nussbaum, Elizabeth Richer, Neil Nussbaum, Jonathan (Victoria Hoiles) Nussbaum; a brother Henry Nussbaum; grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many loving in-laws and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please share a kindness.
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