ROY MILLENSON

ROY H. MILLENSON  
On Sunday, April 9, 2017, Roy H. Millenson of Rockville, MD passed away peacefully at home at age 95. Beloved husband of the late Charlotte Katz Millenson; father of Janet (Herb Edelstein), Michael (Susan) and Elliott (Wendy Strongin); and grandfather of Daniel, Alissa, David and Carly. A native of Washington, DC and graduate of George Washington University, he served in the Persian Gulf Command of the Army Air Corps during World War II before eventually returning to Washington and working as a staff member on Capitol Hill. While a senior Senate staffer, he helped originate and push through landmark legislation related to the education of gifted children and the handicapped, as well as laws establishing the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities and the National Science Foundation. As Washington representative of the American Jewish Committee and on the Hill, he worked to rescue Iraqi Jews, fight anti-Semitism and support Israel. He was always energetic and engaged, whether in national politics or the community, where he ran his local polling place for 50 years, volunteered at the local hospital and was active in his synagogue. He visited all seven continents and pronounced the first Hebrew prayers said at the South Pole when he buried his tefillin there. Later, working for the Association of American Publishers, he promoted public libraries. His family, friends and colleagues will miss his quick wit, abundant energy and love of learning. Services have been held.