David Mars

1924 - 2023

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of David Mars, a 99 year old resident of Lynchburg, VA and Rockville, MD on October 4, 2023. He was the beloved husband for 70 years of the late Gloria A. Mars; cherished father of Larry Mars, Marianne (Michael Gross) Mars and Carolyn (Todd) Mars Angioli; loving grandfather of Jennifer (Tim) Mars O’Neill, Derek (Chelsea) Mars, Amanda and Kelsey Gross, Emelia and Leah Angioli, and proud great-grandfather of Bodie Mars.

David was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Lawrence Mars and Marion Spitz Mars. He spent his childhood with his parents and paternal grandparents. He graduated a year early from Boys High School, a Magnet Science and Technology High School in Brooklyn. As soon as he turned eighteen in July 1942, he enlisted in the Army. Stationed in Georgia, he began college as a chemical engineering student. His unit, the Tenth Armored Division, was sent to Europe after D-Day in 1944. He recalled that in France, he spotted a German V-1 missile (buzz bomb) noisily flying overhead towards England. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he joined a Battle of the Bulge club of soldiers and together they shared experiences and stories from World War II for many years.

As a Jewish soldier, he was aware of the extra danger he would face if captured by the Germans. When there was an immediate threat of capture, his superiors told him to discard his dog tag, which displayed the letter “H”, signifying he was Jewish. Decades later, he recalled in an interview with the Lynchburg newspaper “I didn’t have to be told twice.” He had a long and successful career as a nuclear engineer. After his return from World War II, he completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering at City College of New York and New York University. Later he obtained an MBA from the University of Lynchburg. His career as a nuclear engineer began at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island. He then became a project engineer with Babcock and Wilcox Nuclear Energy Company, which moved him and his young family to Lynchburg, VA. He worked with B&W until he retired at age seventy. David’s expertise was in nuclear safety. He was part of the investigation and response to the Three Mile Island event. He worked in conjunction with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

David had a wide range of interests. He was a member of the Lynchburg Toastmasters Club. In 1961, he won an award for his humorous speech titled “Going to the Cats”, a reference to his family’s many cats. He loved history, especially early American history, and read many books on the subject.

Being part of the Lynchburg Jewish Community was extremely important to him. David was an active member of Agudath Sholom Congregation, where he and his wife Gloria were members for 66 years. During that time, he served as president of the congregation. He was also a principal and teacher for the synagogue’s religious school.

One of his favorite activities was volunteering with the B’nai B’rith Brotherhood every year on Christmas Eve in the local hospital emergency room. He thoroughly enjoyed this and looked forward to it every year. He and his partner always stayed longer than their assigned shifts. Another one of his priorities was passing along Jewish learning and traditions. He enjoyed teaching and reading Hebrew with his grandchildren. In addition, through the years he taught Hebrew to friends and colleagues during his lunch breaks.

He prioritized family and his life revolved around being a part of his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. He attended many of his grandchildren’s dance recitals, school concerts, sporting events, graduations, B’nai Mitzvahs, and weddings. He felt the greatest joy when his family was together for holidays and other occasions.

A passionate and excellent writer, he regularly wrote to family about Judaism, current family events and details about family history. These long letters served as family glue, keeping aunts, uncles and cousins close to one another despite living many hours apart.

We will miss you so very much.

Services were held at Quantico National Cemetery with Rabbi Amy Sapowith officiating.

Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.

Donations in his memory may be made to The David Mars Memorial Fund at Agudath Sholom Congregation, 2055 Langhorne Road, Lynchburg, VA. 24501; (434)- 846-0739.