William "Bill" Laskin Fairman
FAIRMAN: William “Bill” Laskin Fairman, 67, passed away suddenly at his home in Columbia, MO on December 25. A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life was held at Congregation Beth Shalom, Columbia, MO, on December 28, 2014. Bill, the son of Ruth and George Fairman, was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on January 11, 1947. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a bachelor’s of science degree in physics and from the University of Pittsburgh with a master’s degree and doctorate in industrial engineering. Bill was a faculty member at the University of Missouri from 1972 to 1979. In 1979, compelled by his love for programming, he founded FairCom Corporation, an international software development company. Bill was a founder and longtime board member of the Columbia Public School Foundation and served for many years on the board of the University of Missouri Hillel. Bill had many passions in his life — solving complex problems, liberty and justice for all, education, and the arts; and, on a lighter note, golf and his cats. But more than anything, he was passionate about his love for his family and friends. He will be remembered for his warmth and generosity of spirit. Bill is survived by Barbara (Wise), his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years; his daughter Shulamit (Jessica) of Oakland, California; son Josh, of Denver, Colorado; son Jonathan and wife Laura of Chicago, and his two precious granddaughters, Ruby and Frances; his beloved sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Michael Lando of Pittsburgh, PA; and many nieces, great-nieces, nephews and great-nephews. Memorial contributions can be made to the New Israel Fund nif.org, Doctors Without Borders doctorswithoutborders.org or Columbia Public School Foundation cpsf.org.
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