Right to Quiet members mourn the loss of friend and colleague Arline Bronzaft, who served on the Board of Directors since 2021. Arline’s death on October 29 was not unexpected, but her loss has been profoundly felt by members of Right to Quiet as it has among Arline’s family, friends, and countless people whom Arline helped find resolution with noise problems, often resulting in continued friendship.
When the environmental psychologist and highly respected noise expert from New York City accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors four years ago, members of the Board were delighted and Arline was happy to serve the Canadian non-profit. The daughter of a Canadian mother and a friend to Right to Quiet President Hans Schmid and his partner Ilse Schnirch, Arline felt a kinship with her Canadian roots, colleagues, and friends.
Common themes heard among our members, similar to remembrances at Arline’s funeral service in New York, were her exceptional listening skills, and her ability to give her full attention to the person with whom she was speaking. This was the case with those who knew her all their lives and those who spoke with her on the phone or at virtual meetings, but hadn’t met her in person. Additionally, countless people described Arline as having been a mentor.
Board member David Sadoway recalled, “What a loss of such an amazing woman, mother, scholar-academic, advocate and an inspirational leader. She was such a supportive, articulate, and empathic soul, an inspiring community builder, a mentor and role model in so many ways. We have lost an important voice and visionary and someone who firmly believed in community and the common good. In these darks times we must remember the lessons of and from her causes and effects.”
Right to Quiet member Elvira Lount said, “Arline was a force of nature whose contribution to Right to Quiet and Quiet Communities was immeasurable. She was always kind, happy to give advice, and treated me well. When Laurence and I were in New York City in late August 2022 she invited us up to her East Side apartment and took us for lunch. I shall miss her greatly.”
One of Arline’s greatest concerns about reducing noise, in New York City and elsewhere, was that laws are not enforced to the degree that they should be. Another great concern was the role that incivility, or lack of respect, plays in so many issues related to noise.
Even in the midst of our sadness and inability to imagine a world without Arline, those of us who knew her will be forever grateful to have had her in our lives.
Read one of Arline’s final articles about noise, as well as tributes from news publications and non-profit organizations.
- Car Harms: The physical and Mental Health Effects of Noise and the Lessening of Social Value
- GrowNYC Remembers Dr. Arline Bronzaft
- Remembering Arline L. Bronzaft
- In Loving Memory of Dr. Arline Bronzaft, Noise Expert
- Arline Bronzaft, Who Campaigned for a Quieter City, Dies at 89
Arline Bronzaft and Elvira Lount, New York City, August 2022