Irving Pozmantier

1930 - 2025

Irving Pozmantier
11/21/1930 - 10/11/2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Irving Pozmantier on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the age of 94.
Irving was born on November 21, 1930, the second child of a Ukrainian-born mother and Polish-born father, the late Anne and Abraham Pozmantier. He and his sister, Miriam, were B.O.I (Born On the Island) and had an idyllic early childhood playing on the Galveston beach most every day.
Irving attended Ball High School, where he excelled academically, was a ROTC captain, served as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, and graduated at just 16 years old. By the age of 20, Irving had earned a degree in History from the University of Texas at Austin and served as president of his fraternity, AEPi.
Following college, Irving volunteered to serve in the Korean War, even though he had a deferment. His parents wanted him to accept the deferment, avoid the conflict, and begin working at his father's clothing store, but Irving felt a duty to serve. That choice and the war shaped his lifelong sense of duty, loyalty, and resilience.
He often recalled his service alongside cherished friends, Benny Moskowitz and Alan Aaronson, cousin Eddie Sheinberg, and others who remained dear to him throughout his life. His duties ranged from serving as a cook to leading a graves registration detail as a Private First Class, where he and his unit would sometimes be required to venture close to the front lines. He liked to joke to family and friends that his cooking was so bad that graves detail was a natural next step. Irving and his team were instrumental in giving grieving families the closure they longed for.
Irving went on to build a highly distinguished career in the insurance industry, having shown entrepreneurial spirit as a child with his sister Miriam selling drinks to thirsty soldiers at Fort Crockett. Together with his brother-in-law, Avrohm Wisenberg, who was an early mentor, Irving carried forward the vision of his father-in-law, founder Sol L. Wisenberg, at Wisenberg Insurance Agency. He later, with partner Joe Williams and son Jeff Pozmantier, founded Risk Analysts, an insurance consulting business. For decades, he led both firms as chairman with integrity, intelligence, and innovation.
After "retiring", Irving transitioned to consulting and formed Pozmantier Consulting. Over many years, Irving worked with a wide-ranging group of well-known clients, including Triple S Steel, Metro National, Walmart, and the Houston Astros. But he took equal pleasure and satisfaction in assisting individuals with their personal insurance needs.
In his final days, Irving remained dedicated to serving his clients. He worried about "piles of unanswered emails" and unreturned phone calls, and remarked he was "considering" cutting back on his full-time work hours. In total, Irving spent 69 years in the insurance industry.
Irving's expertise was much sought after, and he served as a board member for numerous companies and organizations. His steady guidance and insistence on "doing the right thing" became his hallmark.
A passionate leader in his community, Irving served as president of Congregation Beth Yeshurun (1974-1976), where his forward-thinking leadership helped usher in a first-ever historic change: allowing women to lead the congregation in prayer and participate as a Bat Mitzvah in reciting Torah. He was beloved by so many that whenever he tried to leave religious services, there was always a traffic jam of people stopping to visit, share a laugh or seek his advice and counsel.
Irving's support of Israel, Jewish education, and the fight against inequality defined much of his life's work. He was president of the Jewish Federation and the United Jewish Campaign, where his vision, stewardship, and tireless fundraising efforts left a lasting mark. He chaired the State of Israel Bonds effort and served on the boards of Jewish Family Service, Houston Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Theological Seminary, American Associates of the American Jewish Committee, Houston Hillel, the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, Seven Acres, Vita Living, and the inaugural boards of Holocaust Museum Houston and Emery Weiner School.
During his years of community service, Irving was given many awards, including the Spirit of Service Award on behalf of the Captive Insurance Association, the city of Houston Mayoral Proclamation of Irving Pozmantier day, the Max Nathan award, the David H. White Memorial award, Beth Yeshurun's Katen Torah, and the State of Israel bonds Leadership Award. Irving and his first wife, Sidney, were the original recipients of the Jewish Family Service Chesed Award.
Irving's philanthropy knew no boundaries as he championed causes that fostered growth, education, and opportunity for everyone.
Above all, Irving was devoted to his family. Nothing brought him greater joy than being with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Their presence always turned an otherwise busy workday into a play date. He was known to tell the kids he was very "frosty" (aka 'cool')!
Irving was blessed to find love twice in his life. With first wife, Sidney Wisenberg Pozmantier, he shared 47 years of marriage and raised three beloved children, Jeff, Barry, and Laurie. He was a devoted father, never missing a swim meet, basketball, or baseball game, school play, Scout meeting, or broken bone Xray in the ER. Later, with second wife Paula Gerson Aaronson Pozmantier, he found deep companionship, love and happiness, and to his delight, a much-expanded family. He also treasured lifelong friendships - many spanning more than 85 years - and was the kind of friend who could always be counted upon.
Irving was an extraordinary man - a devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and loyal friend to so many. Those who knew Irving will remember his warmth, his loyalty, his generosity, wisdom, and his endless stories and jokes. He had the rare gift of turning any gathering into one filled with laughter, wisdom, and heart.
Irving leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, integrity, and dedication that will be cherished by all who had the privilege to know him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community.
Irving is survived by his wife of 22 years, Paula; sister, Miriam Selig; sister-in-law, Evelyn Wisenberg; children, Jeff and Janet Pozmantier, Barry Pozmantier, and Laurie Pozmantier; children, David and Lisa Aaronson, Sue Aaronson, and Kathy and Curzio Cotta; grandchildren, Amy Pozmantier Eberly and husband Joe, Jenni Pozmantier Muskin and husband Zach, Ethan Fudge, Alex Aaronson, Michael Aaronson, Ross Aaronson, Mia Cotta, Ava Cotta, and Alan Ryan; great-grandchildren Noah, Zoe, and Lena; beloved Selig, Wisenberg, Wender, and Levinson nieces and nephews and cherished cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Anne and Abraham Pozmantier, and his first wife, Sidney Pozmantier.
A memorial service was held on October 13, 2025.
A recording of the service is available at the following link: https://www.bethyeshurun.org/barg-sanctuary
Honorary Pallbearers are Barry Lewis, Michael Rubenstein, Gary Stein, Bruce Stein, Donna Stone, Joe Williams, and Robert Zinn.
The family thanks and appreciates the years of care provided by his doctors Josh Septimus, Scott Sherron and Barry Tractenberg, as well as his caregivers these last months: Hattie, Rizvi, Latricia, Cheryl, and devoted housekeepers Sylvia and Frances.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut, Houston 77096; The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, 5603 S. Braeswood, Houston 77096; Alexander Jewish Family Service, 4131 S. Braeswood Blvd., Houston 77025; Vita Living, Inc., 3300 Gessner Rd. #150, Houston 77063; or a charity of your choice.