Samuel E. Findler
AGE: 88 • Neptune
Samuel E. Findler passed away Tuesday, January 7, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. Born in Lawrence, NJ., to Samuel and Mae Findler, Sam was raised in Neptune, NJ., with his two sisters Pearl and Martha (Fritz), spending many summers working for his father on the Asbury Park boardwalk. He attended Neptune High School until enlisting in the United States Navy and serving in World War II.
While on board ship, Sam and the crew of the USS Major exercised convoys in both the Atlantic and Pacific, almost entirely circumnavigated the globe, and witnessed the surrender of Japanese forces in Tokyo Bay.
Following his stint in the conflict, Sam continued his service as a Naval engineer and was recruited by the United States Army to contribute in the development of the world's first communications satellites. His work included the post of Deputy Project Manager on Project SCORE in 1958, which was the precursor to all current communications satellites. In this role, it was Sam's voice that was the first one sent from the ground to a satellite in orbit and received back on the ground. During SCORE's 28th orbit, Sam and a team at a ground station in Corona, California received the transmission of a pre-recorded message from President Eisenhower. Sam's voice was then recorded, acknowledging the pass of the satellite over the station, sent back to the satellite, and then received at another ground station in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. After his work on SCORE, Sam played an integral role advancing many of the Army's subsequent communications satellites.
As a pioneer in the communications field, Sam worked in the private sector for government contractors CSC and Systek following his military service in both the Navy and Army projects, until his final retirement at 86 years old.
"Pop Pop", to his family, was predeceased by his wife, Mary (Mazie), of 40 years and his son Bill Findler. He is survived by his daughter-in-law Alice of Edinburg, VA., daughter Meredith and son-in-law Barry Rosenberg of Ocean Grove, NJ., and daughter Patti and son-in-law Vito Carrera of Tampa, Florida. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Robby Findler and his wife Hsing Huei Huang, and their two children Zachary and Emily; Ted Findler and wife Kora and their children Emma Belle, Sammy, Cosette, and Max; Patrick Findler and wife Meaghan Corwin, Peter Findler and wife Carolyn and their daughter Grace; Hailemichael Teklai; Adam Rosenberg and wife Marcella and 8th great grandchild on the way; Zack Rosenberg and Fiancée Liz Stevens; Anthony Carrera, and Samantha Carrera. Also remembering Sam is his longtime companion, Mary Bradley.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the food pantry of St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Ocean Grove at 80 Embury Avenue, 07756 and the William Findler Track Endowment at the College of William and Mary. Checks should be made payable to the College of William and Mary Foundation, with notation that the gift is to go to the William Findler Track Endowment in memory of Sam Findler and mailed to the Tribe Club, P.O. Box 399, Williamsburg, VA 23187. The family will receive visitors at Sam's home, 209 Hawthorne Street, Neptune NJ., 07753 from 2-5 PM on both Saturday January 18th and Sunday January 19th.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
SAM, The greatest person i ever had the privledge of working with,will miss you.
jerry tulanowski
January 21, 2014
I learned a lot from Sam and not just about SATCOM. I always appreciated his company on our trips out and about. I will always be grateful for having known him. I will miss him. My deepest sympathies to his family.
John A. Hill Jr.
January 19, 2014
A good friend and mentor - we worked on many Satcom projects together since 1961 and I will miss him.
Joe Bell
January 16, 2014
My heart sorrow goes out to Sam's family.
He was a JOY to have worked with these many years. His contributions to military communications can't be lauded enough for the breakthroughs he achieved for improved performance. He always gave far more than anyone ever ask of such a great humanbeing. GOD BLESS you all
Betty John Bauman
January 13, 2014
I was saddened by hear of your loss. Sam was a wonderful man to work with at Systek. He will be missed.
LuGene Farruggio
January 13, 2014
One of the great pioneers in Military SATCOM. A co-worker, mentor and friend. The world will never appreciate the contributions to modern communications that we take for granted today made by this great man. Those few of us that had the privilege of knowing him with never forget.
Archie Richmond
January 13, 2014
RIP Mr. Findler. A great man with as great family-you will be missed.
Terry and Scott Rosenberg
January 12, 2014
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