Gainesville – Mandell “Mendy” Glicksberg, age 86 of Gainesville, FL for 62 years passed away at home on May 5, 2015. He was born July 16, 1928 in New York City to Herman and Blanche (Needleman) Glicksberg. At age four, Mendy and his family moved to Miami Beach, FL where he spent the rest of his childhood. He learned to play tennis as a child, and it became an avid hobby for much of his life. He graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School in 1945 at age 16. He then enrolled in the University of Florida where he enjoyed playing the clarinet and the bass drum in the Gator Marching Band. He became a member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. In 1949, he graduated with honors with a degree in Psychology and went on to study law at the University of Florida Law School. During law school he was an editor on the Law Review, became a member of Florida Blue Key and served on the UF Honor Court. He graduated from law school with high honors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 1951.
Mendy married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Kerzin, on December 27, 1950. After Mendy graduated from law school, the newlyweds moved back to Miami Beach where he started his legal career. He was in private practice until he became an Air Force First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) program. During the Korean War, he was assigned to the JAG office at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. After serving 20 years in the Air Force Reserve, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
At the end of his active service with the Air Force in 1953, Mendy joined the University of Florida Law faculty where he taught Constitutional Law, Property, Sports Law, and Legal Ethics. During the summers of 1956, 1957 and 1958, he attended New York University Law School where he earned a Masters of Law degree. While at UF, he served as the faculty advisor of the Florida Law Review for several years, and in 1967 he received the Instructor Excellence Award for the College of Law. He was a Professor of Law at the University Florida for 44 years before retiring in 1997. After retirement, he was awarded the title Professor Emeritus. He was a member of the Florida Bar Association for fifty years.

While serving on the faculty at UF, Mendy became president of the Board of Directors of the University Athletic Association in 1965. He also served as the university’s faculty representative to the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for 25 years. In the late 1980s, Mendy became a member of the SEC Executive Committee and also served as Secretary of the SEC. He was co-chair of the SEC committee that helped implement women’s sports programs in compliance with Title IX. In 2000, he experienced a very proud moment when he was inducted as an honorary member of the UF Athletic Hall of Fame.
Family and friends were always a very important part of Mendy’s life. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce; three children, Jodye Clark (Dan) of Tallahassee, Susan Hilton (Dean) of Tallahassee, and David Glicksberg (Shaun) of Tampa; five grandchildren, Jessica, Julia, and Matthew Glicksberg, and Elena and Kevin Hilton; Sister-in-law, Joy Glicksberg, nephew Dr. Joe Glicksberg, and niece, Rebecca Skipper. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Blanche Glicksberg, stepfather, William Brainson, and his brother, Dr. Charles Glicksberg. The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers of Emily’s Home Care, especially Charlene Rigby, for their devoted attention and care. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Mendy will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather, an excellent teacher and mentor, and a true friend. He exemplified the meaning of the word “gentleman.” His favorite expression was “attitude is everything”, and he lived his life treating others with kindness, respect and dignity. He will be missed by all that loved him and knew him well.
Services are private. A celebration of life will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2500 SW 2nd Ave., Gainesville, FL 32611; Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606; or the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104. Arrangements are in the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home (352)378-2528.