Dr. Deborah Ferber passed away after enduring severely debilitating medical struggles, surrounded by the love of family and friends at her bedside. She was born on November 15, 1962, in Frieberg, Germany, the daughter of Lawrence Wolfgang Ferber and Bonita Marie Ferber.

 

As a young girl, Deborah moved with her parents to the United States in pursuit of greater opportunity. She adored her parents deeply and remained forever grateful for the sacrifices they made to provide her with a strong education and to support her lifelong passion for horses.

 

Deborah’s parents loved and inspired their only child, offering her extraordinary opportunities to grow in the world of competitive hunter jumping. They even opened an equestrian facility in the Back Bay so she could ride, train, and compete, allowing their daughter to fully immerse herself for the love of horses.

 

She never took her parents’ devotion for granted. From her father, Deborah inherited an unwavering work ethic, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep patriotism for his adopted country. He modeled humility not only in words, but in action, taking off his work suit to help Deborah clean horse stalls and teaching her lasting lessons about business and responsibility.

 

From her mother, Deborah learned the importance of treating every person with dignity. Together, they dedicated themselves to charitable work through the National Charity League, serving the needy in their communities, and building a foundation and philosophy that would only strengthen throughout the course of Deborah’s life.

 

Deborah was also blessed with the steadfast love of her Aunt Sandy, who served as her greatest support system. More than an aunt, she was like a second mother, understanding and accepting Deborah with an open and non-judgmental heart. Her love extended far beyond thoughtful gifts, offering Deborah a lifelong sense of belonging.

 

Deborah’s inquisitive nature as a child guided her education and subsequent career, allowing her to experience success in multiple fields. She graduated with two master’s degrees in counseling and management, a doctorate in business administration, and several professional certificates.

A gifted educator, she taught a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, economics, finance, and entrepreneurship. Working in academics for twenty years, she taught at Cal State Fullerton and Chapman University.

 

She credited her parents with instilling in her a deep respect for learning. Dr. Deborah Ferber was referred to as Dr. Deb by her students. She had a remarkable ability to connect with her students, advocate for them, and inspire them to recognize their true potential and dream bigger than they believed possible.

 

In addition to an impressive career in higher education, Deborah embraced entrepreneurship. She had a stationery business for over a decade with her mother, whom she credits for the success of the business. They offered high-quality paper, custom invitations, luxury pens, elegant writing accessories, and office supplies. As an angel investor and supporter of startups, she helped guide a new generation of business owners toward success and helped to fund the next generation of entrepreneurs.

 

One of Deborah’s proudest and most courageous commitments was her work in civil rights. At a time when many remained silent, she fought for the rights of African American students, speaking out for justice regardless of personal cost. As a result, she was honored with the Rosa Parks Wall of Tolerance Award.

 

Deborah’s life of service and courage earned her additional recognition, including the Melvone Jones Fellowship, the American Red Cross Medal of Bravery, and commendation from the California State Assembly for Bravery and Leadership. She was also named Woman of the Year and recognized among the Who’s Who in Universities, Who’s Who in Business and Spirited Entrepreneur.

 

While Deborah loved her experience in academia, her true passion centered around helping those less fortunate, dedicating her time to both national and local charities. She was also blessed to travel throughout the world, learning from diverse cultures and further shaping her depth of understanding of multicultural diversity.

 

Deborah is survived by her mother, her Aunt Sandy, and her spouse M.C., with whom she shared a devoted partnership for thirty years filled with travel and companionship.

 

She wished to give special acknowledgement to her mentors, Dr. Charles Grob and Steve Harvey, whose professional dedication and commitment to social justice and giving back inspired her.

 

Deborah will be remembered for her ability to use empathy in reaching those in need, for her generosity in giving voice to those too often unheard, and for her commitment to transforming young lives through education.