Obituary of Richard M. Marowitz

Richard Myron Marowitz of Albany, N.Y. passed peacefully on August 6, 2014 at the Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center. He was 88. Richard was born in Middletown, N.Y. on February 6, 1926 son of hte late Minnie Cohen and Harry Marowitz. He was predeceased by siblings, Samuel Marowitz and Roslyn Baltch. A proud member of the 42nd Rainbow Division, Richard was a WWII veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member and Past Commander of The Jewish War Veterans Post 105. He was also associated with The American Legion Joseph E. Zaloga Post 1520, the Sheehy Palmer VFW Post 6776 and the Tri County Council Vietnam Era Veterans especially during hours of frienship and hospitality shared at their annual China Beach BBQ. Richard was a member and Past President of Congregation Ohav Shalom. He played a major role in the building of the synagogue and the creation of the Ohav Shalom Seniior Apartments. Richard was a musician, a magician, a tennis player and enthusiast, a storyteller and comedian. He toured schools in the Capital District and beyond teaching students about the Holocaust. He was the subject of a documentary entitled "Hitler's Hat" (Jeff Krulik) and the book "Into the Dragon's Teeth: Warrior's Tales of the Battle of the Bulge" (Dan Lynch and Paul Rutherford). He was interviewed by the Steven Spielberg Film and Video Archive of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a liberator of Dachau. This past spring, Richard was filmed by NBC's educational component, "NBC Learn", for a project to help teachers continue educating students about the Holocaust. Richard is survived by Ruth, his devoted wife of 65 years, his loving children Linda (Diane Gerdon) Marowitz, Larry Marowitz, Roberta Marowitz and cherished granddaughter, Allison Driscoll. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to count. The family would like to thank the doctors and caregivers at the VA Medical Center and Hospice. Their gentle care and compassion was overwhelming and appreciated more than they could ever know. A service will be held at 10am on Friday, August 8 at Congregation Ohav Shalom, 113 Krumkill Road, Albany. Interment will follow at 12:30pm at the Gerald B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, N.Y. The period of Shiva (mourning) will be observed on Friday from 3-5pm at the Towers of Colonie, 420 Sand Creek Road, Bldg. #1, Apt. 203. Well wishers are encouraged and welcome to visit on Sunday, August 10 from 12-3pm, on Monday, August 11 from 6-8pm with a worship service at 7pm and on Tuesday, August 12 from 6-8pm. Those wishing to honor Richard's memory are asked to make a donation to Congregation Ohav Shalom or the USC Shoah Foundation (sfi.usc.edu/support