Harold Bongarten, 89, of Tucson, died April 2, 2012.
Born in Warsaw, Poland, Mr. Bongarten received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University, a masters of management from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed the advanced management program at Harvard Business School. During World War II, he was a counter-intelligence specialist in the U. S. Army in the European theater, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. Following the war, he was made adjutant mayor of Mannheim, Germany. Mr. Bongarten worked at General Electric Company for 37 years, culminating with the position of general manager in the apparatus services division. After retiring from GE, he developed a consulting business with his wife, Alma, specializing in railroad maintenance and labor practices. Mr. Bongarten was president and a life board member of the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona. He was a member of the board and treasurer of Temple Emanu-El, on the board of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation, president of B’nai B’rith (Sahuaro Lodge) and was named Man of the Year by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. Mr. Bongarten was board president of the Direct Caregiver Association, and a director of the Direct Care Giver Institute, Inc.
Mr. Bongarten was preceded in death by his first wife, Alma Bongarten. Survivors include his wife, Martha; children, Randall (Liz) Bongarten and Bruce (Cindy) Bongarten, both of New York, Karl (Rita) Bongarten of North Carolina and Elaine (Steve) Mickel of Chicago, Ill.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Temple Emanu-El with Rabbi Samuel Cohon officiating. Interment followed in the Temple Emanu-El section of Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Direct Caregiver Association, 3003 S. Country Club Road, #229, Tucson, AZ 85713; the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, 5546 E. Fourth St., #100, Tucson, AZ 85711; or Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716.
