Chaim “Hymie” Schreiber

1932 – 2022

Chaim “Hymie” Schreiber, 90, of Princeton NJ, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and three children on November 30th 2022. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday with his family.

Chaim was born in Durban on September 27th 1932 to Josef and Taube Schreiber, the first of two sons. His parents had emigrated from Poland via Mandate Palestine in the face of rising antisemitism. Chaim grew up in Johannesburg and studied engineering at a technical college, initially working alongside his father in a locksmith and window business. Drawing from his surname Schreiber, which means ‘scribe’ in German, he had an ambition to manufacture ballpoint pens in South Africa. He established the Scribe Pen Company and established a relationship with BIC in France, a business that his younger brother, Bennie, went on to manage. For a short time thereafter, he was a director at his father-in-law’s import business, before turning his energy back to his own pursuits. Subsequently, he founded a manufacturing business, which produced medical syringes and supplies. This flourished for a number of decades, before selling it to the American Hospital Supplies Corporation.

Chaim married Gaby Hirsch on June 21st 1959 and they recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They had three children, Colin, Karen and Jacqui and lived in Johannesburg until February 1978, when they emigrated to Princeton in the wake of political unrest in South Africa. They made Princeton their home and have lived in the same house for forty-three years. He was devoted to his seven grandchildren, who live in America and the United Kingdom. Chaim was especially proud as he witnessed them growing into independent young adults and receiving a university education, something he strongly valued.

Soon after settling in Princeton, Chaim audited classes in history and world religion at Princeton University. He read and thought deeply, always seeking to understand politics and world events in all their complexity. Until the end of his life, he continued to read his favorite magazine, The Economist, from cover to cover and newspapers from around the world. He was always happy to argue and debate with family.

He filled his days with his passion for road cycling, organizing and leading bike rides until the age of 88. He took pleasure in the meticulous planning of routes, which are still enjoyed by his friends at both the Princeton and Morris area Freewheelers. Chaim cultivated a huge repertoire of jokes, which he shared throughout his life. Chaim’s friends and family often remarked on his encyclopedic recall and ability to share a joke for every occasion, no matter how irreverent. He was loved deeply and will be hugely missed by his wife, Gaby, his children, Colin (Sandy), Karen (Gary Lubner), and Jacqui (Peter Miller), his grandchildren, Sam, Hannah, Julia, Jordannah, Max, Sydney, and Jack, his large extended family, and his many friends.

Funeral services and burial were held Friday, December 2 at Ewing Cemetery (Har Sinai Temple section), 78 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ.