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Service Set For Historian

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Historian Steve Gluckman, a former University of South Florida assistant professor, died Tuesday night of a heart attack. He was 70.

"The loss to Seminole Heights is going to be huge," said Susan Long, president of the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association.

At 10 a.m. today at the Seminole Garden Center, 5800 Central Ave., friends and family will hold a memorial service. Donations will be accepted to help the association buy historical preservation books that will be placed at the Seminole Heights Branch Library in Gluckman's name.

A documentary on Seminole Heights that will premiere April 17 at Tampa Theatre will be dedicated to Gluckman.
Gluckman attended the annual caroling at Lake Roberta on Tuesday and then a dessert party at a friend's home. About 8:30 p.m., he appeared to slump forward and have difficulty breathing, friends said.

A nurse gave him CPR until paramedics arrived to transport him to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he died.

Gluckman, who was single, had lived in the neighborhood since 1977, serving in various roles with the association, including chairman of the historic preservation committee. He also headed up the annual book sale to benefit the library.

He was meticulous and precise about details.

"He wanted everything to be right," Long said.
Gluckman was the first friend Suzanne Prieur made when she and her husband, Dennis, moved from California. A passion for preservation and Seminole Heights' reputation as a bungalow haven pulled them here.

"He brought me in to the neighborhood as if we had been friends from childhood," Prieur said. "He always wanted to include everyone."
Gluckman was a board member of the Central City Community Development Corp. for 10 years, again keeping an eye on the neighborhood's history.

Executive director David Foster said Gluckman rarely missed a board meeting.

"He was devoted and very responsible," Foster said. "He said what was on his mind and posed questions that you need to hear.

"I will miss him," he said.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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