Nathan Kirschbaum Obituary

KIRSCHBAUM-Nathan, 79, of Silverdale, Washington died of Myelogerous Leukemia at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, Washington. He was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Jacob Meyer and Rose Rachel (Posner) Kirschbaum and graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1944. He served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 attaining the rank of Aviation Ordinanceman Third Class. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1951. He worked as an Aeronautical Engineer for 38 years retiring from Grumman Aerospace Corp., Bethpage, New York, in June 1989 as Chief Configuration Designer, Aircraft. He then became an adjunct professor of Aeronautical Engineering at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia in 1990 and fully retired in 2001. He married Irene Joan Ellingsen on April 5, 1962 in Rosyln, New York. He and his wife moved to Silverdale, Washington in 2001 to be near their grandchildren. His interests and hobbies included sailing small sailboats, reading aviation and World War II history, tennis, bowling, and photography. He was associated with the Jewish faith. His survivors include his wife; son Daniel and wife Patricia and their two children Jacob and Sarah of Silverdale; and son Andrew and wife Barbara and their son David of Ridge, Maryland. In lieu of services, donations may be made to Massachusetts Institute of Technology Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering Department.

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Published by Newsday on May 11, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Nathan Kirschbaum

11 Entries

Rudy Meyer

June 20, 2006

A Tribute...

… to a man I had the honor of knowing as a close friend and work associate at Grumman. I considered Nate as nothing less than a National Treasure with his encyclopedic knowledge of aviation history, not simply the bare facts of what happened and when, but also the deeper significance of those events to future developments.

Nate was both an Artist and Engineer when it came to aircraft design. His concepts excited the imagination yet never compromised reality as defined by cutting edge technology. Few designers had Nate’s skill to elicit the best from the aerodynamic, propulsion, structural and other engineering specialists that comprised the design team.—there was always room for improvement in his mind.

My friend was a man of principle. Intimidating to some, perhaps, although once a friend, you knew you could trust him with your life.

My favorite “Kirschbaum” story goes back to when I came across an obscure fact in aviation history i.e., that “ the longitudinal trim system of the Lockheed Lodestar jet involved rotating the entire empennage, vertical tail included.” This arrangement was decidedly unconventional and so it occurred to me to “one-up” Nate by casually noting this to him. When I did he simply responded, “Oh yes, and the Mooney, and, naming other aircraft, also use that system.” Nate didn’t even recognize I was trying to sandbag him – how could you not love a guy like that.

Shortly after moving to Washington State Nate and Joannie visited Jean and I at our new home on Bainbridge Island. We were delighted to learn that we now had two good friends to share our lives with. Alas, after a few visits we learned this was not to be.

Nate signed his last letter to me as, “Your Shipmate,……. Nate.” I shall always treasure that tribute, knowing all that those two words meant to him.

To my Shipmate, Nate.

Buga Cristian

June 14, 2006

Nathan Kirschbaum,

First we want to tell you, we are Romanian friends and we hope we will write well. We didn’t know you personal and we regret that but we knowing one of your sons-Andrew- and we know you were a gentile, kindly, wonderfully man, friend, father and specialist. We are so happy to know, David can learn good thinks, to love the life, to playing, singing and to be a strong man. You were a good teacher for all and you will be with us every time and when we will fly, sailing, laughing. Buga family-Romania

FRANK DELLAMURA

June 13, 2006

Nate and I worked together, at Grumman, for many years. He was one of the most talented aircraft designers I've ever met and a great human being to boot. Since he left Long Island, we kept in touch through letters. His passing grieved me.

Jerry Taylor

June 10, 2006

Nathan and I bowled together for years and we won the title. Then we climbed Mt Washington in New Hampshire. He took me sailing (once). When he maried Joan we stayed friends and my wife and Joan became good friends. Nathan and Joan taught us to appreciate Fire Island.

We were friends until the last.

My favorite pictures of dad.

June 8, 2006

Andrew Kirschbaum

June 8, 2006

Thank you for visiting this Guest book for my father, Nathan Kirschbaum. We have received many comforting phone calls, e-mails, and letters from so many of you and my family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. Nathan was certainly a great and unique man who touched many people. I realize this more and more as I communicate with you and read through the many old letters I have come across as we straighten up his desk. May God bless you all. Warmest wishes, Andrew

Andrew Kirschbaum

June 8, 2006

In Loving Memory of

Nathan Kirschbaum (Sept 29, 1926 – May 5, 2006)

and in Honor of

Irene Joan Kirschbaum

Dan, Patty, Barbara and I wanted to write a memorial letter to honor our Mom and Dad and also to thank everyone for all your warm thoughts and words. As many of you know, Dad passed away on the morning of May 5th, 2006 (with Dan at his side) and Mom moved into the best Alzheimer’s home we could find two months prior to Dad’s death. It has been a very sad and now silent spring as this important chapter in our lives starts to close.

Dad fought the impossible fight against a rare blood disorder with much strength and spirit. Dad cared for Mom as best and as long as he was able. We are sure he held on until he was sure his “girlfriend” Miss Joannie would be well cared for.

Mom’s memory has quickly faded against the onslaught of the Alzheimer’s disease. It is heartbreaking to see our wonderful Mom struggle to do simple things and know her grandmother years and life were cut short. The last time I took Dad to see Mom, he said “We’re in this together Miss Joannie – press on regardless” which was one of his famous sayings. Dad and Mom promised this to each other when Dad proposed to Mom in 1963.

Dan and I have always been proud and blessed to be our parents’ sons and also proud of our parents. Dad was stern but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when learning life’s lessons. He was well known as a straightforward, sincere, and humble man. He could tell a good joke, write wonderful letters and make (and eat) a delicious meal. His true love was Miss Joannie, aviation and sailing his Snipe (a small wooden racing boat) and later when the “little pumpkin heads” made the Snipe too crowded, his Venture 21 (fiberglass daysailer). His life revolved around Miss Joannie and a career which fit him perfectly; designing airplanes and later teaching about them at VA Tech. He truly excelled at Grumman and was sorely missed when he retired after 38 years. His enthusiasm for reading the Wall Street Journal and keeping up on advances in aviation as well as studying aviation history never flagged. The day before he passed away he was still reading “Aviation Week” and contemplating renewing his subscriptions.

Dan and I cannot say enough about our Mom. She was everything a child could hope and wish for. She was gentle, loving, always smiling and always optimistic. She taught us to love nature and to be compassionate to all. People were drawn to our Mom’s unassuming nature and lovely smile. She was happiest caring and raising her “two boys” which included teaching us tennis and riding bikes to “Friendlies” to get an ice cream. Mom traveled the world, was an all around athlete and gardener, and had the daring and foresight to build a small summer beach house on Fire Island with the help of our grandfather which became the focus of our early years. Sadly, we are losing a bit more of this beautiful lady every day.

As we have quietly wandered around their empty home the only consolation is the many wonderful letters and pictures we keep coming across from you. My parents were blessed by many true friends and a truly loving extended family. Great people attract great people; it’s as simple as that. As I make the phone calls to many of you, I am learning just how many people were touched by my parents and in return, you helped make my parents life so full. I am thankful the list is so long and so special. My parents always said they had a wonderful and lucky life which was only marred by “their last hand which held a few bad cards.” This is true and our grief is lessened by the fact that we certainly did have a wonderful life; Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings, Fire Island summers, our “last round-up” which was a road trip around the US, many walks at Caumsett and Sunken Meadow State Parks, berry picking and Mom’s soon to be eaten pies and cakes, sailing to the bridge, tennis matches….the list goes on and on.

Nathan is gone and our mom is failing but we are “still here” as my Dad would tell me every time I called. Please stay in touch and live life in the Moment. It is what my parents would like.

Our Dad is buried at the Poulsbo Mortuary Stone Chapel. His grave is located at 22272 Foss Road, NE, Poulsbo, WA (360) 779-4474. Our Mom is residing at the Liberty Shores/Harbor House complex in Poulsbo, Washington which is located at 19360 Viking Avenue. NW, Poulsbo, WA 98370 (360)-779-5533.

Our family held a small but special memorial for Nathan on May 28th, 2006. The light rain matched our moods. Due to the fact that Nathan’s friends and family are spread throughout the US, Israel and Europe, we have decided to conduct a virtual memorial for him on-line. Please visit Nathan’s site and tell us stories and your memories about this exceptional man.

http://www.legacy.com/Newsday/Guest

Book.asp?Page=GuestBook&PersonID=17

724697

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Jewish Appeal.

Happier Days at Fire Island, NY during the summer of 1972. We had the most wonderful summers growing up at this wonderful beach.

June 2, 2006

John Helgesen

May 18, 2006

I had the oportunity of working with Nate at Grumman. We had good times, both working and sailing.

Lana Stormont

May 15, 2006

Daniel, Andrew and Families,

Your dad, father-in-law, and grandfather was my favorite male friend in this world. My children and I lived next door to him and your mother for approximately 9 years in Blacksburg, VA, and we stayed in touch as friends from 1997 until today.

Your dad and mom took me with me as their guest to the Holocaust Museum one evening when the museum was open only to founding members of the museum; your dad and mom invited me to a Seder at their home for Yom Kipper; they shared many meals with me and sometimes with my children, we watched TV programs together; I purchased blank VCRs for your dad at Sam's Club in Roanoke, VA; we traveled to Roanoke together for the Farmer's Market and exchanged taking one another to the Roanoke Airport for our travels; I was their guest once for 3-4 days at Fire Island--what fun I had. I visited with your dad and mom in Silverdale in October, 2004, and we reminisced about "old times" in Blacksburg. We had several nice meals together, both at restaurants and in their home that week; your mother taught me to bird watch and shared her first copy of a bird watcher's guide with me (I still have it held together with a rubber band); your dad once sealed my blacktop driveway (we worked together as your mom was spending time with her dad in New York); I attended church services with your mom on more than one occasion; your dad and I attended Torch Club meetings in Blacksburg, and your mom came with us on guest nights.

Our family and your parents exchanged pet-sitting favors over the years, and once your dad offered to claim as his own one of our foundling cats, should the homeowners association choose to enforce its limit on pets per household (we were slightly over the limit), and I still have that little calico cat, and she is most grateful that she did not have to go to the animal shelter. We took many walks together on the county roads around our townhouses. We picked watercress for sandwiches in the spring below my townhouse and wild cherries for a pie on the county road; we picked blueberries on a farm out from Roanoke; we had numerous wildlife and "moon" watches, as well as one very large land turtle laying her eggs just beyond your partnes' deck (we would call one another when the wildlife were present or when the moon was particularly beautiful over the mountain ridge. I've always been impressed by your dad's ability as the champion-of-all time vegetable chopper; I've never know anyone who could chop vegetables so uniformly. We cooked clam chowder on Fire Island; your dad harvested the clams, and then took me and Joan on a sail boat excursion. I was there when he was negotiating the sale of his beloved sail boat. I was flipped by a huge wave in the Atlantic, ended up with sand and shell in my mouth, hair and inside my swim suit—your mom advised me to try to rid myself of most of the shell without letting it go down the plumbing, sympathy and understanding were extended; I did not go in the water after that, but I did accompany your mom back to the beach just to watch from shore! All three of us took a very long walk in the sand down the beach and back, and your dad put me to shame walking in the loose sand. I was panting, and he was barely breathing any harder than ususal.

Your mom played tennis with my youngest son, Charles, and she whipped him substantially. She took Leana, my daughter, on several outings with her, and Leana "loved" her stick-shift Taurus. Your mom understood Leana, a child of the 60's born after her time. Joan, Nathan and I took a winter’s day walk that was the coldest I’d ever experienced. I remember it to this day—a very cold day in SW Virginia.

There were other very nice times that we shared. I am so glad that I knew them both. I know that you must have wonderful memories and I will always be thankful to God that I knew and loved them.

With sincere sympathy,