Mervin Pregulman

Mervin Pregulman Chattanooga, TN Mervin Pregulman, a quiet but giant force of change in corporate, physical rehabilitation and early education achievements here, died Wednesday, November 28, 2012. He was 90. For nearly two decades, he was president and chief executive officer of Siskin Steel, and played a formative role in the establishment of Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation and the Siskin Children's Institute. Working with his wife, Helen, and others in the family, Mr. Pregulman was an essential part of a commitment that the hospital and the school become the world-class institutions that they are today. Born in Lansing, Michigan he graduated from the University of Michigan, where he was named an All-American football player for his skills as a center, guard, tackle, linebacker and kicker. Some 50 years later, he received the Gerald R. Ford Award, the highest honor the university bestows on a former athlete for "excellence in scholarship, sports and society. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he played professional football for the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions and the New York Bulldogs. Mr. Pregulman was a former president of the Jewish Community Federation of Greater Chattanooga and a member of the University of Chattanooga foundation's board of trustees. Among his many honors, he and his wife were named Chattanooga Philanthropists of the year in 1997. He was the son of the late George and Matilda Pregulman and was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Julian and Ruth Pregulman and brother-in-law, Dr. Nathan Dubin. Survivors are his wife, Helen Siskin Pregulman; his children, Mindy (Robert) Nathanson, Wilmington, N.C., Betsy Ann Pregulman, Scottsdale, AZ, John Spencer Pregulman, Denver, CO and Robert Jay (Randy Hale) Pregulman, Seattle, WA; sister, Renee Dubin, West Hartford, CT; ten grandchildren, Carey Nathanson, Jacob Crimmins, Jesse Nathanson, Ally Pregulman, Madeline Pregulman, Jonah Pregulman, Allason Pregulman, Georgi Pregulman, Garrison Pregulman and Goldie Pregulman; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A prayer service will be held on Tuesday, December 4 at 6 PM at the family residence, 4 Cherokee Blvd., Chattanooga, TN. The family will be visiting with friends following the prayer service and again on Wednesday and Thursday at the home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, the Siskin Children's Institute or a charity of your choice. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 2, 2012, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Lansing. Local arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.