George Salton

George Salton passed away on Sunday March 13, 2016, surrounded by his family after a valiant struggle with sudden illness. He was 88 years old. During the Holocaust, when his parents were forced to leave him at the age of 14, their parting wish was that George grow up to be a mensch. Everyone who knew George would say that he more than fulfilled their wish. George was wise, warm, kind and intelligent. Most of all he loved and took great joy from his family. Having survived ten concentration camps, he immigrated to the United States in 1948. While serving in the U.S. Army, George met the love of his life, Ruth. They married and raised three children, while George worked as an electronics technician for the Air Force and attended college at night. He earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in physics and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University. George had a distinguished career with the Department of Defense, eventually becoming the Director of Defense Communications at the Pentagon. In that role, he was responsible for the development and acquisition of world-wide telecommunications, command and control systems. After 35 years of government service, he accepted an executive position in the aerospace industry. Upon retirement, George became a noted author and speaker about his Holocaust experiences. His book, The 23rd Psalm: A Holocaust Memoir , was published by The University of Wisconsin Press. George lectured nationally at schools, universities, synagogues, churches and conferences. In 2005, he was invited to speak in Germany at the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Wobbelin concentration camp along with the U.S. Army officer who led the unit that liberated George and the surviving prisoners. Together with Ruth, George founded the Palm Beach chapter of Leah and, thereafter Insight, organizations dedicated to the education of young people about the Holocaust. George is survived by his wife Ruth of 63 years, children Henry Salton and wife Kathryn Calibey, Alan Salton and wife Vicki Salton, and Anna Eisen and husband Dr. David Eisen; his grandchildren Daniel and Sarah Salton, Benjamin and Joshua Salton, Erica and Aaron Eisen and step-grandson Matthew Vecchio. Services will be held at Wednesday, March 16th at noon at the Star of David Funeral Home, 9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to Temple Judea, 4311 Hood Road, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410.