It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Lou Dunst, husband of Estelle Dunst, September 8, 2015. The funeral service was held September 9 at Mount Sinai in Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. Two memorial services will take place at Ohr Shalom (2512 3rd Ave, San Diego, CA 92103) on Thursday, September 10, at 6:45 p.m. and on Sunday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m.
Lou Dunst, an unassuming man with the quiet smile and soft voice, rode on trains whose destinations are a litany of man’s inhumanity to man: Aschwitz-Birkenau, Mauthausen, Ebensee. Yet he tells us: “God was always with us in the boxcars, in the camps, even in the gas chambers.”
He refused to be a victim and be consumed by the camps and the war that defined his early life. Instead of finding hate and vengeance in the heart of this man there was LOVE. In a world overflowing with the worst things people could do to each other, Lou Dunst emerged from this with open arms and sincere love glowing from his very being. “We must get rid of the hate…have only love in your heart.”
Lou chose to teach love. That love has built a loving family, lasting friendships, and cherished memories. That love has opened hearts, calmed unrest, assuaged pain and taught us all the redemptive strength of standing tall with one’s faith and principles.
Lou kept that tree healthy with every new branch it sprouted: his connection with San Diego’s Jewish community, his beloved wife Estelle, his 30 years as a successful businessman and as an inspirational teacher and speaker. Lou Dunst’s life is an example of how one man can emerge from darkness into light and carry that true flame to others. To really honor him is to carry that light within us all and share it with each other.
Our congregational family shares in the sorrow of Lou Dunst’s passing and we extend our hearts and hands to his family and friends. We join in the traditional prayer that God comfort the Dunst family along with all who mourn.
Zichrono Livracha. May his memory be for a blessing.
Comments(4)
Gary Hirschfeld says
Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 8:56 amEstelle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today. Lou was a wonderful man and an inspiration for all of us as well as a guiding light for what is right in this world. We will miss Lou in our community and in our lives. We hope that you can be comforted by knowing what a beloved man he was and how much we love you as well. Please stay with us and let us help you in this moment of grief for you and your family.
Cantor Merel says
Friday, September 11, 2015 at 12:00 amEstelle, Lou was a beacon of light for freedom, forgiveness and remembrance, all together. You were his guiding light, and he was our role model. Collective memories of Lou will continue to be a blessing in the hearts and minds of all the people who were deeply touched by his example . our heartfelt condolences, Sheldon and Marcie Merel
Bjorn Palenius says
Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 11:09 pmI had never heard of Lou Dunst until today, when I received a $40 gift card for Walmart from Special Delivery of San Diego, located in Mission Hills. To only have love and not hate in your heart after what he lived through, is truly a sign of a GREAT man!
Joe Williams says
Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 5:51 pmI met Estelle in the elevator of my building today. She had a cart full of memorial materials ready for the UC San Diego memorial room in Lou’s name. She told me his story and her story, and what a remarkable person. Lou was scheduled to die in Auschwitz many times, but a miracle saved him each time. Estelle said that he was meant to live and tell his story. I’m at a loss for words tonight. But I’m glad to have met Estelle and I will keep Lou’s memory alive in me as well.