Emanuel Culman

Emanuel Culman, age 77 of Beach, North Dakota, left his body on Sunday, November 20, 2022. Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements. Emanuel Culman presented himself on February 19, 1945 in Watford, England. Edith Culman, Emanuel's mother, herself born in Germany, remembered the moment well; a bell ringing on the radio indicated 8 pm. Emanuel's father, Emil Culman, born in Poland, was elated to have his only child at last. Em moved to Leeds with his parents, where he schooled at the progressive Foxwood HS and the more progressive Polytechnic Photography School. Em came to the States in September 1971, where he fulfilled his dream of living in America. He hitchhiked from New York to LA in 4-1/2 days, a harrowing journey that produced many great stories. Those privileged to hear an Emanuel tale experienced an education, for he was a master storyteller who, after writing hundreds of articles for LA media, completed his first and only published novel, Dreamers, on Becoming Authentic, in 2013. Em spoke fondly of his time on the Board of International Visitor's Bureau, where he delighted in meeting people from all over the world to show them what LA, and later New Town, ND were all about. In LA his tours often included his own art gallery, Daniel Gouro, located in a high-rise in the heart of downtown LA. His represented artists were extensive and eclectic and included his first wife, Ellen Romm Lampert. Em arranged numerous art shows, including those in Brazil and Africa. With Ellen, Em had two beautiful children of whom he is very proud, Gideon Culman (DC) and Hillah Culman (MD). Em served as president of the Beverly Hills chapter of the prominent networking group, Le Tip. He designed and led groups with his current wife, Cheryl Planert, called, I Am Matrix, a group process by which people unearthed their greatest strengths and were emboldened to speak from those places of power. The cutting-edge workshops were very effective at bringing communities together. Emanuel also wrote and co-produced over 150 interviews of up-and-coming LA authors and change-makers for public television, called Changes. He left a treasure trove of written articles and tapes. Emanuel was able to charm a room of people with his unique wit, create a meaningful focus amongst divergent opinions and accomplish something useful for the community. He activated and organized neighborhood groups and saved over 1000 LA homes that were at risk of being razed by the Law of Eminent Domain to make room for parking lots for the LA School District. No small accomplishment, Emanuel was praised and honored by many who were affected so positively as to be able to keep their homes. Emanuel and Cheryl moved to Beach, ND in 2007 where Emanuel acquired and restored an old movie theatre and renamed it, the Bijoux Show House. He added a stage for live events, and in addition to showing films, he attracted many fine live acts, both local and national. The peace and solitude found in the community of Beach, afforded Emanuel the time and focus to fulfill his second life's dream, that of writing his first of 3 novels in a trilogy, Dreamers, on Becoming Authentic. Emanuel was rewriting his second novel when he passed peacefully of complications from Parkinson’s Disease on November 20, 2022. Emanuel valiantly fought Parkinson’s for 17 years. He belonged to several PD support groups and, in spite of his loss of functioning, he was able to uplift and cause smiles until his last days. Emanuel leaves behind his wife, Cheryl Planert (Beach, ND) of 27 years with whom, he said he found his greatest acceptance, admiration and love; his daughter, Hillah Culman (MD) and her partner Kiren Lakshman and Emanuel's grandson, Arya Asher Lakshman Culman (1); his son, Gideon Culman (DC), Gideon's wife, Anna and Emanuel's two grandchildren, Esther (4) and Isaac (7). He also leaves two cousins on his mother's side, Lesley Schmalzbach (Australia) and Moshe Weinreb (Tel Aviv) and his family, as well as three Israeli cousins on his father's side -Micha, Gadi and Noam Salinger and their wives and children. In lieu of flowers, Emanuel would have been very pleased to know you'd read and review his book, Dreamers: on Becoming Authentic (Amazon), or contribute to The North Dakota Community Foundation, re: Golden Valley County, PO Box 387, Bismarck, ND 58502-0387, of which he was a proud starting member. Emanuel requested his ashes to be strewn at sites in Israel and England. Those who knew and loved him may want to climb Sentinel Butte in the spring and lift the remaining ashes into the air. Times will be announced on Facebook and the local PO, or notify Cheryl Planert, PO Box 982, Beach, ND 58621 that you'd like to be included. Always remembered, never forgotten. May Emanuel's memory be a blessing for all who knew him.

Emanuel Culman

January 1, 1945 - November 20, 2022

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Emanuel Culman

January 1, 1945 - November 20, 2022

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support