Bert Sacks

Bert’s Life: A Brief Timeline
Bert was born in Cambridge, MA to proud parents, Samuel and Sylvia Sacks. He grew up in the small town of Sharon. His maternal grandparents lived with them and paternal grandparents lived nearby.From a young age he loved books and going to the library. He excelled in school and served as student body president in high school. After graduating he attended Dartmouth College. His father died suddenly in his freshman year. He interrupted his college studies to travel, including an extended time in Israel where he lived for a time on a kibbutz. Later he completed a degree in electrical engineering at Boston College. He enjoyed living for a awhile in the Bay Area before returning to Israel where he found professional employment. He married an Israeli woman in 1980 and became fluent in the Hebrew language. After living for a few years in Israel, the couple came to the US and lived in Durham, NC.When the marriage ended in divorce, Bert decided to leave the East Coast and return to the West. He found his way to Seattle in the early90’s. He lived without a car from that time until his death. During the Gulf War he learned about the shocking impact of US sanctions on Iraq,especially on the children. This disturbed him so deeply that he left his employment and devoted himself to being a full-time activist. All told he made 9 trips to Iraq bringing medicine, in violation of US sanctions,for which he was fined $10,000. He continued to speak out to educate the public, including appearances on Democracy Now.

Bert had a heart attack in 2003 but went on to live an active life. He loved walking his Phinney Ridge neighborhood and mingling with neighbors. In 2016 he was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, which initially affected his mobility. A fall in June 2022 forced him to leave his beloved neighborhood. He resided at Foss Village (now Broadview Village) in North Seattle until his death. He leaves behind his sister,Risa Sacks of Worcester, MA and his partner and caregiver, Elaine Hickman of Seattle.

TRIBUTES TO BERT. Two tributes to Bert by Bruce Ramsey and Paul Andrews were published on Post Alley at https://www.postalley.org/2025/05/30/bert-sacks-seattle-individualist-two-obituaries/

PRESERVE BERT’S WORK. Bert's blog is still available at https://bertoniraq.blogspot.com/. We are looking for volunteers to help preserve his work. If you can help, please give your contact information to Elaine or to any of the other event planners.

CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF BERT SACKS June 21, 2025March 1, 1942 ~ May 16, 2025

“We are walking each other home.”--Ram Dass

“Never give up-no matter what is going on, develop the heart. Too much energy in your country is spent on developing the mind instead of the heart. Develop the heart. Be compassionate not just to your friends, but to everyone. Be compassionate, work for peace in your heart and in the world. And I say again, never give up, no matter what is going on around you. Never give up.”--Tenzin Gyatso, XIV Dalai Lama

“There is not a heart that exists in your world that, if it were assured of safety, would not open instantly. It is all an issue of fear.”--Emanuel’s Book, compiled by Pat Rodegast and Judith Stanton

SONG LYRICS

And every one ‘neath their vine and fig treeShall live in peace and unafraidAnd every one ‘neath their vine and fig treeShall live in peace and unafraidAnd into plowshares turn their swords,Nations shall learn war no moreAnd into plowshares turn their swords,Nations shall learn war no moreLo yis a goy el goy che rev,Lo yil madu ad mi cha maLo yis a goy el goy che rev,Lo yil madu ad mi cha ma

Profound thanks for the amazing care Bert received on his final life adventure from TEAM BERT. Core members: Beth Miller Kraybill (lead),Ethan Hickman (co-lead), Ken Kraybill, Elizabeth Valenzuela, Mavuto,Miriam, Risa Sacks, Larry Smith, Pam Shea, Neil Planert and Ernie Williams;Respite team: Karen Studders, Joshua Liljenstolpe, Megan Ramer, Greg Theissen, Douglas Hoffman. Also a round of applause and deep bow to the hard-working Moving Team: Ellen Kley, Tyler Merrill, Esben Gerber, Tom Berry, Jean Buskin, Karen Studders, Ellen Williams and Chuck Amon. Deep gratitude for the care Bert received from: Dr. Peter Grote, (his PCP for 30yrs.), Dr. Lam and social worker Whitney Butler (UW Palliative Care), Dr.Witt (Evergreen Health Neurologist), Denise Malm (Wallingford Senior Center social worker), the staff at Broadview Village and Center (formerly Foss), End of Life Washington and Evergreen Hospice. Finally, thank you to the hard-working event planners: Gerri Haynes, Weldon Nisly, Dvorah Kost, Jean Buskin and Elaine Hickman. Flowers by Alyssa Jatta (Elaine’s niece). Food coordinator Ann Marchand. And for support from Seattle Mennonite Church.

Celebration of the Life of Bert Sacks

Prologue - Music & Photos: Bert as Activist & FriendIntroduction: Beth Miller KraybillVideo: Bert’s Life from the Beginning by Bert’s Sister RisaWelcome and Gratitude for Bert by Gerri HaynesCongregation Joins in Song: Vine and Fig TreeReading: Words of Rumi: Ethan HickmanIntroduction by Bob Haynes to Congressman Jim McDermott’s 2004 SpeechVideo of Jim McDermottMemories of Bert: Weldon Nisly, Kathy Kelly on Zoom,Jim Douglass on Zoom, Dvorah KostChopin Prelude: Bob Haynes on PianoInvitation to Others with RemembrancesDenise Malm : Words Meaningful to BertLeonard Cohen “Anthem“Video of Bert 2004Closing WordsInvitation to Conversation and FoodDrumming: Ethan Hickman