Irving Engelson z”l was born in the shtetl of Podbrodze (near Vilna) on December 24, 1930; he died of complications of Covid-19 on Yom Hashoah, April 21, 2020.
Irving, his younger brother, and their parents were all saved during the Holocaust with the help of a Catholic family. Sixty of his close relatives (grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins) were murdered.
After studying in Switzerland, Irving came to the US, served in the US Army during the Korean conflict, earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering and had two successful careers: first as a University Professor and Dean and then as a Staff Director for the IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers).
He did not speak much of his experiences during the Holocaust, until recent years when he wrote a short memoir which can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/IrvMemoir.
Irving was a devoted family man who always put the needs of his loved ones above his own. After he and his wife moved to New York City five and a half years ago, they became active members at their synagogue, Congregation Shaare Zedek. He was well known for his playful sense of humor and his love of bad puns. In recent years, he had much nachas from his grandson who was one of the last people to have the privilege of having a real conversation with him before he was hospitalized and his family was no longer able to communicate with him.
Irving is survived by his wife Mina Engelson, his two daughters Delia Igo and Iris Engelson, his son-in-law Hyman Rosen, grandson Martin Rosen, brother Morris Engelson, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends and colleagues. He is missed terribly.