Native Milwaukeean Nathan Solomon Irwin died of cancer on June 27 at the age of 86.
Born Nathan Itzkowitz, the son of Latvian immigrants, he graduated from North Division High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1940.
He served in the U.S. Navy beginning in 1943 and volunteered for its underwater demolition units, forerunners of the Navy SEALs. He participated in the American landing at Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944; and was wounded in action during later landings in southern France.
After the war, he was a co-owner, with Max Libman, of Rampart Automotive Products Company and continued to help with the business until it closed in the 1990s.
He was “a very active member” of Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue according to his family. He served as president of the congregation and its men’s club, and as chair of the plaque fundraiser. He participated in a daily minyan, was chair of Chevra Mishnah, which promotes learning, reading of sacred texts, minyan attendance and Kiddushim after services, his family added.
He was also a life member of the Order of the Purple Heart; a member of the board of the Jewish National Fund, and a member of B’nai B’rith and Jewish War Veterans-Guten Post.
He is survived by wife Lillian (nee Silberman) of Mequon; daughter Elaine Nelles of Glendale; sons Jeffrey (Marilyn Kraar) Irwin of Whitefish Bay and Richard (Linda) Irwin of Bayside; and five grandchildren.
Rabbi Gideon Goldenholz officiated at funeral services at Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue, June 29. Burial was in Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery.
Memorials to the Jewish National Fund or Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue would be appreciated by the family.
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