Marvin B. Newman

Newman, Marvin B.

On Monday, April 20, 2015, age 91, following a brief illness, with his loving and devoted wife of 43.5 years Sylvia at his bedside. Marvin was the 4th child of the late Sarah Neurman and Theodore Newman. His 2 older sisters, Mary Francis Cohen of North Miami, FL and Betty Esther Fine of Pittsburgh, PA preceded him in death.

He is survived by his twin sister, Marjorie Katzeff-Buchman of Palm Harbor, FL. Marvin was born and raised in Charleston, WV. He graduated from Charleston High School in 1942. Marvin served in the US Army during WWII. He attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, where he was an active member of Pi Lamda Phi Fraternity. He graduated in 1948 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Marvin stayed on at WVU for graduate school and earned a Master's Degree in Mathematics in 1950. Upon earning his Master's, he became a mathematics instructor at Glenville State College in Glenville, WV. He then accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Drexel Institute of Technology. While on staff at Drexel, he simultaneously pursued a PhD degree in Mathematics at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1963, he left academia, and moved to Pittsburgh where he was employed by Westinghouse Electric as an engineer-mathematician. During his years at Westinghouse he distinguished himself as a scholar and expert in the application of mathematics, which was applied to the use of computers to conduct stress analysis studies in a variety of different engineering areas. This included the manufacturing and testing of large electrical generators and the wings of the Israeli F-151 Ra'am Fighter Jet.

In 1970 he had the very good fortune of meeting the love of his life, Sylvia Alpern Gelman. They were married on October 17, 1971. He openly adored and loved her children Rhonda (Gelman) Kelley and Bruce Gelman from the very beginning of the relationship. Marvin was actively involved with the Gemilas Chesed Synagogue over the years. He especially enjoyed the local B'nai Brith chapter where he became President. Additionally, he devoted himself to the establishment of a Holocaust Memorial which now stands on the grounds of the Gemilas Chesed Cemetery in Versailles, PA. He took on the chairmanship of the Memorial's founding committee where he worked tirelessly on all aspects of the project. Marvin is survived by his loving wife; Sylvia, daughter; Rhonda (Gelman) Kelley, son-in-law; Daniel Kelley, son; Bruce S. Gelman, daughter-in-law; Dana Gelman, 5 grandsons, 2 great-granddaughters, 4 nephews, and 5 nieces.

Friends will be received at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412 678 6177) on Wednesday from Noon until the time of service at 1:00 PM. Services will be officiated by Rabbi Moshe Russell. Burial to follow in Elrod Cemetery in Versailles. Remembrances of sympathy may be made to: Gemilas Chesed Synagogue, 1400 Summit St., White Oak 15131.