Born on a circa 1700 farm on Monday, April 11, 1921 in Port Ewen, New York, he was one of five children. He was the son of the late Maurice Crystal and the late Eva Crystal, and was the husband of the late Mary Ruth Ballentine-Crystal.
Israel served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. After the war, Israel pursued a career as a machinist working in the aeronautical medical/pharmaceutical industries. Some of the parts he fabricated for NASA even made their way into space and to the moon.
While holding down a full-time job, he began going to night school part-time, eventually earning Israel a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University at Fullerton at the age of 53, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He also took great pleasure in playing the violin and during his 70s and 80s was a violinist in three volunteer orchestras in Riverside County. Israel also enjoyed dancing, woodworking and taking road trips with his truck and trailer. He especially enjoyed the long trailer caravans to Alaska and Mexico. His travels also took him throughout the US including visiting the project sites that his son, Joe, had helped design and build as an employee of the National Park Service. One of Israel’s favorite trips was to see the restoration of the boyhood farm of former President Jimmy Carter; one of Israel’s his son’s projects. While there Israel was able to personally meet President Carter and spend a little time with him.
Israel will be interned at the Riverside National Cemetery with his wife, Mary Ruth Ballentine-Crystal, who predeceased him in 2000. Surviving Israel are his son, Joe (Jane) Crystal; brother, David Crystal, granddaughter, Victoria Crystal as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.miller-jones.com.
v.1.1.3