Metzger recalled as man who cared for community
BY TALI ISRAELI
Correspondent

Dr. Bruce Metzger

MARLBORO - When Dr. Bruce Metzger, D.D.S., studied the Torah he insisted on standing because he felt he was closer to God.

Metzger, 65, died June 8 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. He held many leadership roles in the religious and secular community, which included serving as a member of the Marlboro Township Council during the mid-1990s, being a founding member of the dental staff at Freehold Area Hospital (now CentraState Medical Center), as well as president and lifetime member of the Monmouth-Ocean Dental Society.

Dr. Benjamin Weinstein, senior vice president and medical director at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, sent his condolences to Metzger's family and many friends, especially his son, Dr. Scott Metzger, who is a member of the medical staff at the hospital.

Metzger was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Marlboro for 38 years. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Brooklyn College, where he met his wife of 44 years, Miriam. He received his doctor of dental surgery degree from New York University College of Dentistry.

After graduating from dental school, Metzger served as a captain in the U.S. Army and was chief of oral surgery at Fort Meade, Md., during the Vietnam War.

Metzger is survived by his wife; a son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Cheryl Metzger; three daughters and sons-in law, Jodi and Marc Pasternak, Dr. Cory Metzger Lebovitch and Mark Lebovitch, and Daniella and Dr. Michael Adler; and eight grandchildren.

"He produced wonderful children who are doing such worthwhile things," said Abe Magid of Howell, Metzger's friend of 35 years.

According to Magid, who met Metzger when his (Metzger's) children attended a nursery school Magid operated, there were many wonderful things about his friend.

"The greatness of Bruce is that he motivated people to reach fairly great things. He is truly one of a kind. He was a person who touched the lives of thousands beyond just being a dentist," Magid said.

Magid said when people sat in Metzger's waiting room he made them feel like family.

"He was the most wonderful extrovert you could ever have. He was a very humble man. His character was not to show his greatness," he added.

In addition to his work in the community, Magid said Metzger was passionate about his religion.

Metzger was active in raising money for various causes including Israel bonds, United Jewish Appeal and Chabad Lubavitch of Western Monmouth County. He was vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County and was instrumental in creating the Maimonides Society, an association of medical professionals supporting charitable causes.

Howard Gases, executive director of the Jewish Federation, said Metzger had tremendous passion for the organization and the Jewish community. The federation is looking to memorialize his name and memory in the federation as well as the Maimonides Society.

"He will be sorely missed. This is a tremendous loss to the entire Jewish community," Gases said.

Memorial donations can be made to Chabad Lubavitch of Western Monmouth County, Manalapan; the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County, Manalapan; or to Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure, Rhode Island.