Longtime WardsAuto Contributor Herb Shuldiner Dies

Longtime auto writer Herb Shuldiner, 89, who covered the New York-area market and its resident import automakers for WardsAuto for more than 20 years, died this week after a long battle with congestive heart failure.

A veteran of the Army, which he served from 1950-1952 in both the U.S. and Austria, Shuldiner had a lengthy career in journalism, starting with the New York Mirror from 1946-1963, where he started as a copy boy, worked at the city desk and ultimately rose to national news editor. He left the Mirror for Popular Science, where he was named editor in 1985.

Although he retired from Popular Science in 1989, he never stopped working, launching an extensive freelance career that saw him producing syndicated newspaper columns and features for such periodicals as CEO Magazine and becoming a regular correspondent to WardsAuto.

Shuldiner was known for his tenacious reporting; no detail was too small to pin down as he collared executives at auto shows and elsewhere on the beat. He covered a wide range of topics, from advanced technology to management strategy to market trends to local dealers.

“Herb’s knowledge of the industry ran deep, and it showed in the level of detail in his reporting and his ability to cover any topic, anytime anywhere,” says Dave Zoia, Wards executive director-Content. “Beyond that he was a great friend and mentor to all of us here.”

Eric Mayne, a former WardsAuto staffer who now oversees Engineering, Safety & Regulatory Communication for FCA US, says: “Herb not only demonstrated thoughtfulness in his deeds, he thoughtfully chose his words. As a result, he imparted insight and perspective I found to be enriching and inspiring. I will remember him with great fondness.”

Dave Smith, former editorial director, recruited Shuldiner to write for WardsAuto after crossing paths with him on the auto beat for 15 years.

“Herb was one of the hardest working reporters I know,” he says. “As a WardsAuto correspondent for more than 20 years, Herb consistently delivered solidly reported stories, including many exclusives.”

Senior Editor James Amend remembers test-driving vehicles with Shuldiner on new-model unveils around the country.

“He was a great drive partner and, as someone who once lived in Manhattan, I could listen endlessly to his stories about living in the city and working as a reporter during its nitty gritty years.”

A lifelong New Yorker, Shuldiner was born and raised in Brooklyn, where he rooted for the Dodgers and would sneak into the stadium and listen to road games on a transistor radio. Like many fans he was crestfallen by the team’s move to Los Angeles in 1957, but he loved to share memories of baseball games as a child and could quote Pee Wee Reese statistics with great authority.

Shuldiner married Julie Abravanel in 1951, a union that lasted for 64 years, until her death in 2015. He is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A journalism scholarship is being created in honor of Herb Shuldiner. Please email [email protected] for further information.