David Eisenberg's Obituary
David was a devoted husband, father and grandfather born on January 23rd, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan. His early years were spent on a farm north of Detroit. His father, Louis Levitt died when David was 11 months old, his mother remarrying when he was 3 years old. They moved to California where one of David’s first jobs was delivering movie reels by motorcycle to various theaters. He also helped out his step father Abraham with his house painting business and delivering musical instruments for Hollywood stars such as Harpo Marx’s harp where we was once invited to stay for lunch. David attended Belmont High School where he joined the ROTC and eventually became captain of A company, for which he received a leadership medal.
David graduated in June of 1943 and was inducted into the Army Air Corps in February of 1944. He was originally trained to become a combination of navigator and bombardier on the Martin B-26, also known as the “Widowmaker”. With the war winding down, they cancelled the cadet program, and David was sent to Marana Air Force Base near Tucson. He first served as a line mechanic helper but then passed as expert with the .45 caliber pistol, and was made an MP (Military Police), which is how he served the duration of the war. As an MP it was David’s responsibility to chase down German escapees from the POW camp, into the desert, amidst night time gunfire. He also survived a plane crash in a North American T-6G during a test flight. All this before reaching the age of 20.
It was nearby in Tucson, during this time that he met fellow Detroit native and his future wife Natalie Brader. They were married on September 15th, 1946 in Tucson where they spent most of their years together. David attended Northrop institute of Technology and upon graduating was hired at Hughes Aircraft Company.
David started out on the drawing board for the first U.S. Air Force air to air missile, and progressed through an over-40 year career at Hughes where he wore many hats including Project Engineer. He also served as the lone executive of Hughes United Way, raising money for those in need.
Along with his wife, Natalie, David raised two children, Betta and Alan. He is also survived by his two grandchildren Evan and Hannah, his sister and brother in law Leatrice and Mark Osterloh and their son Jonathan. In the home David was always a gracious host, making guests of all ages feel welcome. Throughout the years David dabbled in painting and even briefly took up classical guitar upon retirement.
David was also always involved in volunteer activities such as civil defense, Ground Observer Corps, colonel in the Civil Air Patrol, Pima County Sherriff’s Department, Arizona Rangers, president of the congregation of Young Israel, , and always involved in supporting America and its constitution. These memories abide.
We are grateful for our connection to a life that was lived with grace, integrity, and humility. And we remember David with love.
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