Samuel Rosenblatt

Samuel H. Rosenblatt VIRGINIA BEACH - Samuel H. Rosenblatt, born Oct. 25, 1920, passed away in Boca Raton, Fla., Jan. 24, 2008. He was a native of Norfolk and resident of Norfolk and Virginia Beach before retiring to Florida. He was predeceased by his parents, Herman and Fannie Rosenblatt and his sister, Helen Caplan. Mr. Rosenblatt is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Gertrude Kramer Rosenblatt; two sons, Alan E. Rosenblatt and his wife Barbara of Alexandria, Charles M. Rosenblatt and his wife Nancy of Virginia Beach, and the apple of his eye, his daughter, Judith Lynn Rosenblatt of Virginia Beach; two loving granddaughters, Amy and Barbara; and a brother, Joseph I. Rosenblatt and his wife Shirley of Boca Raton. Sam, as he was known by his family and friends, served as an Air Force officer during World War II. He was stationed in Italy during the war and flew many missions over Germany and Eastern Europe. On his 15th mission, Feb. 13, 1945, his B-24 airplane was shot down and Sam remained a prisoner of the German Army until the war's end. After the war, Sam was an insurance agent and dedicated much of his life to Israel and Jewish causes. In the early 1950s, Sam and a group of young men established Temple Israel at its present location on Granby Street. Sam was one of the founding vice presidents of the Temple, and later served as the Temple's third president. He also served as president of the Jewish Community Center of Norfolk. In addition, Sam served on the board of directors of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and he worked as part of a group that helped build and establish the Beth Sholom Home of Eastern Virginia. Sam also dedicated much of his young adult years to the Boys Scouts of America, and he was instrumental in the formation of Troop 17, Norfolk, which he served as the assistant scout master. A funeral will be held at Temple Israel, Granby Street, Norfolk, today at 1 p.m. Rabbi Michael E. Panitz will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will be at the home of Charles and Nancy Rosenblatt today after the service and Monday through Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The family requests that donations be made to Temple Israel, Beth Sholom Home, the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad, or a charity of the donor's choice. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel, is handling arrangements.