Gertrude (Dannemann) Galson Greenberg
Born 1903 in East Prussia
Died 9/5/2004
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September 5, 2004 Gertrude Dannemann Galson Greenberg died peacefully at age 101 on September 5, 2004, at her home at The Inn, Menorah Park, Syracuse. She is survived by sister Ilse Klahr; son Edgar and wife Eva of Syracuse, their children Wendy Galson of Philadelphia, PA, Diana Galson Kooy of Boston, MA, Steven Galson of Chevy Chase, MD, and David Galson of Oakland, CA; son Allen and wife Nirelle of Syracuse and their children Deborah Galson of Wexford, PA, Daniel Galson of Eaton (England), and Elizabeth Silverstein of Poughkeepsie, NY; stepson Dan Greenberg and his wife Patricia Salt of North Reading, MA; stepdaughter Ruth Kutz of Syracuse and her child Christopher Kutz of Oakland, CA; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Gertrude was born in East Prussia in 1903, the first of four children. She experienced the terror of World War I, which remained a vivid memory throughout her life. At age 12, with her father away as an army conscript and her mother managing the family shoe store, she took responsibility for guiding her three younger siblings. Gertrude graduated from teacher\'s college at age 19 and sailed to America to visit an uncle in Philadelphia, where she worked as a reporter for a German-American newspaper before meeting and marrying engineer Henry Galson, a recent immigrant from Vienna, Austria. While Gertrude was managing family affairs, Henry held a series of jobs in the field of air conditioning. At age 33 he patented an air conditioning device that proved to be the prototype for today\'s self-contained units, for which he was honored in 1933 with the John Scott Medal by the City of Philadelphia. With Hitlers rise to power in Germany, Gertrude feared for the lives of their parents and she was determined to rescue them and as many other family and friends as she could. Over the next few years Henry and Gertrude gave affidavits for 16 people, taking into their home each of their mothers and two nephews. The family moved to Syracuse in 1937 when Henry was hired by Willis Carrier. During World War II, with engineers in short supply, Carrier convinced Gertrude to fill in for an engineer although her credential was only a marriage license. At wars end, Henry left Carrier and established a consulting practice with Gertrude as his assistant. As the company grew, Gertrude undertook a variety of roles including secretary, office manager, accountant, and HR manager. Henry died in 1963 and the practice was continued by their two sons, Edgar who joined in 1951 and Allen who joined in 1961. Gertrude retired from the business at age 82. In 1985 Gertrude married Isadore Greenberg, a lawyer practicing in Syracuse. Izzy, as he was known locally, died in 1995. Gertrude served on the Board of Huntington Family Center for 18 years undertaking many duties including service as the President of the Board. She was particularly proud of a summer camp for mothers and their young children that she created, organized, and ran. She was active in the Council of Jewish Women and the NAACP in the 1940s. She was a member of the Temple Society of Concord. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a date and time to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central New York, Menorah Park, and Huntington Family Center. birnbaum funeral service inc.
Published in the Syracuse Post Standard on Sept. 8, 2004
 
Burial Location
J4D
 
Spouse
Isadore "Izzy" Greenberg Esq.
Born 1908
Died 1985 in Syracuse, NY