Gary Shulman

SHULMAN, Gary
Gary Shulman passed away early Tuesday morning, May 1, 2007, after a lengthy illness. He was born October 18, 1920 in Elmira, NY, to Russian immigrants, the late Isaac and Anna (Mintz) Shulman. At an early age Gary enjoyed building things, including a kayak which he would take out on the Chemung River. This interest led him to enroll at Purdue University to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also represented Purdue in Big Ten Track Meets as a member of its Cross Country team. Gary graduated from Elmira Free Academy, and in 1941, he married his high school sweetheart, Selma "Sally" Kaplow. When World War II broke out, Gary served in Europe in General Patton's Third Army as a map maker in the Spearhead Division. After the war, he completed his degree at Purdue and returned to Elmira, where he joined his father and brother, Oscar, in the family scrap business. Over the next twenty years, Gary introduced many innovations to this business. He also came across many items destined for the scrap heap, but for which he could see a future use. Gary, from an early age had looked at the world as one filled with possibilities. His talent for designing new applications for existing machinery led him to his most significant life work, that of developing geothermal power. In 1969, Gary founded Geothermal Power Company, Inc. Using surplus US Navy steam turbines, he re-engineered and modified those turbines to generate power from underground steam reservoirs. Gary became one of the pioneers in geothermal power development. He built a number of successful power plant installations around the world, including the first geothermal power plant in Indonesia. Gary became a recognized expert in this field and later was asked to testify before a congressional committee regarding geothermal development. Inspired by a scholarship he had received as a young boy to attend the Boy Scout camp on Seneca Lake, Gary pursued many community activities. He was a member of the Elmira YMCA Board of Directors for many years, during which time he designed the installation for one of the first health clubs in the area. He also coached an Elmira Babe Ruth League baseball team for ten years, and he led the 1958 team to the New York State championship tournament. For many years, he was a volunteer at holiday time for the Arctic League. He was predeceased by his wife, Sally; son-in-law, Joseph Getraer; his brother, Oscar; and his sister, Sophie. Survivors include his daughter, June Getraer of Greens Farms, CT; sons, Richard (Kathy) of St. Paul, MN, and James "Ike" (Margaret) of San Jose, CA; brother, Meyer Shulman of Mountain View, CA; grandchildren, Andrew (Jean) Getraer, Patrick Shulman and Deanna Shulman; and great-grandchildren, Sandy, Alec, Benjy, Lindsay and Sarah Johannah Getraer. Gary lived his life with optimism, charm, intelligence, and integrity. While he traveled the world over, his favorite place was always Elmira. He loved the beauty of the area and the warmth of its residents. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing may make memorials to Congregation Shomray Hadath, 1008 West Water Street, Elmira, NY 14905. Services will be held graveside at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 3rd, at the Franklin Street Cemetery, Elmira. Friends are invited to join the family following the service for a reception at the Shulman home, 1460 West Water Street, Elmira. Arrangements by Baker Family Funeral Home.