Mr. Paul Rosenblatt, 95, peacefully passed away on May 25 in Mobile, Alabama, his happy home for the past 3.5 years alongside his devoted daughter and son-in -law, Shoshana and Jake Treichel. He was adored and admired in the community and at his synagogue of Congregation Ahavas Chesed. He received state-wide attention recently for his extraordinary flight on his actual birthday, May 6th, a mere 3 weeks ago, on a WWII Stearman biplane, at Roy E. Ray Airport in Irvington. His life led him to many places and many achievements and awards, including the pride of participating with other WWII veterans on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2015.
He was a World War II veteran, a Purple Heart recipient and the only survivor of his unit, the 9thArmored Division, that held the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine during the Battle of Remagen, allowing Allied forces into Germany. His experiences during the liberation of Dachau concentration camp, and meeting Holocaust survivors led him to be an ardent and life-long committed Zionist. It compelled him to travel to the new State of Israel to establish the first Israel Air Force Technical School.
Born in 1923 in Michigan, Paul grew up in The Bronx, N.Y. Through his work as a quality control engineer for the US Air Force and serving at the US Department of Defense, he lived and travelled throughout the USA and the world, before retiring in Haifa, Israel with his beloved wife Mrs. Millie Kaminsky Rosenblatt. She preceded him in death in 2013, after 61 years of a devoted and loving marriage. At the time, he wrote: “Blessed be Thou, O Lord our God, who has brought much goodness to us.…my grief is diminished by the fact that Millie will always be with me, in this world and wherever else. I am joyful we will never be apart…”
Mr. Rosenblatt is survived by his son, Dr. Solon Rosenblatt and three daughters; Dr. Racelle Weiman, Ms. Marla Van Meter, and Mrs. Shoshana Treichel. He has five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with another on the way. He was deeply devoted to his family and his community, relishing in each accomplishment and milestone.
He is remembered for his quick wit and humor, a twinkle in his eye as he rapidly enjoyed delivering a good pun. His humility and integrity always were his anchors; he was continually awestruck and full of gratitude for his long and blessed life, celebrating life with much joy, love and zest.
Funeral services with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort beginning at 2:30. Please do not send flowers. Paul’s wishes are for donations made on his behalf to either Friends of the Israel Defense Forces at https://donate.fidf.org/page/contribute/honor or Jewish War Veterans at http://www.jwv.org/donations/donation.php. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com. Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin St., Mobile, Alabama 36606.
