Obituary of Robert Ivan Greenbaum

ROBERT I. GREENBAUM 1918-2009 SARASOTA, FLORIDA GREENBAUM Robert I. Greenbaum, 91, died peacefully on June 23 in Sarasota, Florida. Mr. Greenbaum was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1918 and lived most of his life in Albany, New York. He was a veteran of World War II, serving from 1943 to 1947 in the South Pacific and received the Bronze Star for meritorious performance of duty in support of operations against the Japanese. Mr. Greenbaum spent most of his career as Sales Manager at Hill & Markes in Amsterdam, New York; a place of employment that became a second home to him. While in Albany, Mr. Greenbaum was extremely active in community affairs. He was a longtime board member of Congregation Beth Emeth and past president of Reform Congregation B'nai Sholom, where he was a founder of the synagogue and credited with saving the arc that is currently in use at B'nai Sholom. In 2004, Mr. Greenbaum came across the daily letters that he wrote to his family in which he vividly described his experiences as a soldier in World War II. He compiled these memoirs in a book entitled "Dear Ones" that was published in 2005. Mr. Greenbaum is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Inez. In addition he was a devoted father of William (and Elyse) Greenbaum of Short, Hills, New Jersey and Ann (and Jim) Mucia of Pittsfield, Massachusetts and the proud grandfather of Joseph and Joshua Mucia and Amanda and David Greenbaum. Graveside services will be held Friday, June 26 at 12:30 pm at the Beth Emeth Cemetery, Turner Lane, Loudonville, NY. Contributions in Robert I. Greenbaum's honor can be made to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238 or B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208.