Ruth Morgenstern, mother of Durango resident Daniel Morgenstern, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, in San Diego. She was 93.
Mrs. Morgenstern was born to Julius and Sida (Weissinger) Schapira on Sept. 3, 1920, in Milwaukee, the youngest of a family of six. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was 3.
After high school, Mrs. Morgenstern joined the war effort, working in Washington, D.C., at the office of the Naval Research Labs, which were developing radar.
She met her future husband, Elliott Morgenstern, at a Jewish Community Center/United Service Organizations dance. The couple married in January 1945 in D.C.
Mr. Morgenstern was an accomplished musician, and many of their lifelong friends from the Army Air Corps Band at Bolling Field went on to careers in Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
The Morgensterns moved to Cleveland after the war, and Mr. Morgenstern began working in the family business, Electroline Manufacturing Co. The Morgensterns traveled extensively, visiting Europe many times, including Russia before Sputnik, and skiing extensively in the Alps. Mrs. Morgenstern was an accomplished skier who took her grandchildren skiing in Colorado.
They were also active in progressive politics, with strong connections to the state of Israel. They were partners with Kibbutz Hatzor (Ashdod) in establishing die-casting production.
Mrs. Morgenstern was involved in the business during her husband’s lifetime, and became the president of Electroline after his death in 1976, after 31 years of marriage. She remained involved until 1997, when the company was sold to the Thomas & Betts Corp.
She had lived in La Jolla, Calif., for many years.
Mrs. Morgenstern is survived by her sons Daniel Morgenstern of Durango and Joel Morgenstern of Jerusalem; sister, Esther Schapira Weinberger of Los Angeles; half-brother, Laurence Sharpe of Valencia, Spain; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial took place at Camino Memorial in San Diego.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Americans for Peace Now, 2100 M St., Washington, DC 20037.
Online condolences may be sent at www.humphreymortuary.com.
