Elbert Lederman Obituary

April 8, 1913 - January 17, 2009 Lt. Col. USAF Retired Bert Lederman, a 38 year resident of Colorado Springs, passed away January 17, 2009 at age 95. He was born Apr 8, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York to Joseph N. and Mabel Hart Lederman. During his youth he spent many hours working in his grandfather's ice cream shop in Brooklyn making ice cream and his grandfather's extra thin peanut brittle with #3 Spanish peanuts. No other peanut brittle seemed to measure up to his grandfathers. After a few years of working on Wall Street, he joined the military serving from 1941 to 1970. He had various tours of duty overseas including Naples, Italy during WWII, Chateauroux, France, and Thailand. He was also stationed throughout the United States during his long military career including the Air Force Academy. During World War II he met Kathleen Olander who was training to be a Civil Air Patrol pilot. Bert married Kathleen(Kay) M. Olander in January 1946 and lived in West Hempstead N.Y. until his assignment to France in 1954. While in France, the family toured Norway, Switzerland, Holland, and Germany where they purchased their new VW Bug. In 1970 Bert retired from the Air Force and settled in Colorado Springs with his wife Kay where he managed Eisenhower Golf Course Pro Shop at the Air Force Academy. After 14 years as manager he retired from the golf course in 1984. His wife Kay died March 19, 1995. Bert was a kind man, who put others ahead of himself. He enjoyed playing golf and taking care of his family. He will be missed by all who knew him. Bert is survived by his daughter Judy and grandson Kevin of Colorado Springs, son Gary daughter-in-law Lesley, grandson Chris and granddaughter Katie of Chesterfield MO., grandson Matt of New York City, NY, Son Jeff, daughter-in-law Heidi, grandson Nick and granddaughter Kelsie of Greeley, CO. A memorial service will be held at Mountain View Mortuary, 2350 Montebello Square Drive, Colorado Springs, on Saturday January 31st at 10:00 a.m.