Betty Jean Goldberger (Knofsky), age 96, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate, social worker, animal lover, and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died March 2 in Kettering. Mrs. Goldberger passed away peacefully with her family by her side. Mrs. Goldberger graduated with a degree in social work from the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina. She put her degree to work with the Red Cross, where she met her lifelong love, Melvin Tobias Goldberger. They married on June 4, 1944 in Asheville, N.C. The couple settled and raised three daughters in Knoxville, Tenn., and later moved to Boca Raton, Fla. Together they were philanthropists, dedicated community members, world travelers, and fulfilled her passion for culture and art. Mrs. Goldberger’s constant love of and devotion to her family will leave a lasting and memorable legacy. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Melvin. Mrs. Goldberger is survived by her daughters, Dee, Susan, and Margy and their husbands; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Please consider a donation to the Red Cross in her memory.

Nathan Robert “Rosie” Rosengarten, age 101 of Centerville, formerly of Bellbrook, passed away peacefully on March 15 at his home at Otterbein Senior Campus in Centerville. Mr. Rosengarten was born Sept. 2, 1915 in Philadelphia, the son of Fannie (Schnideman) and Robert Nathan Rosengarten. He graduated from Camden High School (New Jersey) in 1934. He received an engineering degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 1939. While at Drexel, he had a co-op job with the Lycoming Manufacturing Company. It was here that he became interested in aircraft engines. After graduating from Drexel, he went to work for the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served for 32 years, retiring in 1973 as a full colonel. He was instrumental in the development of jet engines for United States military aircraft. He was the first test engineer of jet-propelled aircraft in the United States. Early in 1946 he received recognition for his work for the engineering associated with the execution of the first coast-to-coast jet speed record made by the P -80 Aircraft. In April and May of 1946, he served as project leader of test flights made in a captured German Messerschmidt ME-163B jet- propelled fighter. A lieutenant colonel by 1951, he was in charge of aircraft and missiles at the Air Technical Intelligence Center in 1951. The center’s responsibility included the investigation of UFO reports. He also was involved in investigating UFO sightings in 1951. In September of that year, he took steps that led to the initiation of Project Blue Book, which would be the lead agency in UFO investigation for the next 18 years. Mr. Rosengarten spent most of his career based in Ohio. He married on April 21, 1955, and with his wife, Irma, raised two sons, Robert Rosengarten and David Rosengarten. They were members of Temple Beth Or and Beth Abraham Synagogue. Mr. Rosengarten is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Irma; parents Fannie and Robert Rosengarten; sisters Lillian (Ellis) Goodman, Laura Rosengarten; and nephew Robert Rosen. He is survived by his sister Rosalie (Alvin) Rosen; two sons, Robert (Cathy) Rosengarten and David (Rebecca) Rosengarten; four grandchildren, Amy (Greg) Shumway, Elise Rosengarten, Cade Rosengarten and Reghan Rosengarten; two great-grandchildren, Blake Robert Sutton and Gracie Marie Rosengarten; nephew Colman (Robin) Rosen and children; niece Jean (Robert, deceased) Rosen and children. Mr. Rosengarten was a proud American who dedicated his life to serving his country and taking care of his family. He was so loved and will be missed. The Rosengarten family would like to give special thanks to all of the amazing, kind, loving caregivers, nurses, nurses aides and rehab therapists who loved “Rosie” and helped him/us over the past few years. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Shirley Schorr, age 89, of Highland Park, Ill., formerly of Dayton, passed away March 12. Mrs. Schorr was born in Cincinnati on April 27, 1927 to the late Rose (Fenster) Feldman and Sol Schultz. She was a longtime member of Beth Abraham Synagogue. Mrs. Schorr was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marvin, in 1994. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Jay Ellison of Highland Park, Ill.; daughter, Judy Stoddard and her fiancé Richard Kaplan of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Sara (Ari) Scharg, Samantha Ellison and her fiancé Matthew Savin, Brandon Stoddard, Katy (Ross) Morgan; great-grandchildren, Ella and Ethan Scharg; many other relatives and friends. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association in Mrs. Schorr’s memory.

Dennis J. Zappin age 70 of Dayton, passed away Feb. 24. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond “Pope” Zappin. Mr. Zappin is survived by his mother, Hannah “Sugar”; two daughters, Hilary and Kathryn; grandchildren, Ethan, Elijah and Addison; his ex-wife and high school sweetheart, Betty; brother, Richard and sister, Joanne. Mr. Zappin lived a life rich in experience and love, and he faced death with courage, humor and grace. He will be profoundly missed by many. Interment was at Dayton National Cemetery.

To read the complete April 2017 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.