Solomon Abrams' desire to learn never waned. At the age of 92, the former Pittsburgh lawyer, ordained rabbi and city school board member continued to take classes at the University of Arizona. Mr. Abrams, formerly of Squirrel Hill, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Tucson, Ariz. "I'm convinced he would have enrolled this term if he hadn't died," said his son, Ivan Abrams, 58, a former Allegheny County assistant district attorney and federal prosecutor, now in private law practice in Tucson. Mr. Abrams and his son attended the University of Pittsburgh together. Ivan Abrams received his law degree at the same time his father received a master's degree in public administration at Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Mr. Abrams moved to Arizona in 1993 after the death of his wife, the former Esther Natalie Safyan. "He adapted very well. He even started wearing bolo ties," his son said, laughing. Mr. Abrams received his law degree from Pitt in 1938. But he abandoned his law practice after three years when he realized his clients weren't telling him the truth. "He was doing some defense work and found out that, as a rule, his clients were lying to him," Ivan Abrams said. But he loved law and continued to keep his license active up until a few years ago. Mr. Abrams became executive director of the Hebrew Institute of Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill. His father, Israel Abrams, held the same position for nearly 60 years. The institute, initially located in the Hill District, offered students a mix of culture and religion. He had a long record of public service. In addition to his tenure on the school board, Mr. Abrams served as president of the Regional Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America and was named one of the first presidents of the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition when it was formed in the late 1970s. Politics around the Abrams house was low-key. His parents were not activists, Ivan Abrams said. It came as a surprise when Mr. Abrams accepted an appointment to the Pittsburgh Public Schools board, his son said. He served two years and then ran for a full term, winning his first election in 1976. He lost a re-election bid and never ran again. Mr. Abrams also was a television pioneer in Pittsburgh. When WQED got started in 1954, Mr. Abrams hosted the program, "Hebrew at Home." "A famous, non-Emmy winning show," Ivan Abrams said. Mr. Abrams was a "mission-oriented" diplomat, his son said. "He could get along with anyone. He was comfortable in any occasion." His friends included former Republican National Committee member Elsie Hillman, of Squirrel Hill, and Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht, a Democrat. Wecht, of Squirrel Hill, said Mr. Abrams had a knack for getting "his point across in a gentlemanly fashion" without compromising his principles. "He was a very special person. He combined true scholarship and keen intellect. He was a marvelous educator," said Wecht, whose four children attended the Hebrew Institute. Mr. Abrams is survived by his son, Ivan Abrams; a brother, Ellis Abrams; and two grandchildren. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, followed by services at 11 a.m. at the Ralph Schugar Chapel Inc., 5509 Centre Ave., Shadyside. Interment will be at Beth Shalom Cemetery in Shaler.

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