Honoring Service: Veteran Morton Lichtman
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Morton Lichtman was born on July 12, 1920, in New York. In Rye, he resided on Rosemere Street with his father Edward, mother Sophie, and younger brother Lewis. Edward, his father, had a high school education and worked as a broker, while Sophie, his mother, had a high school education and was a homemaker.
Date of Birth: 7/12/1920
Died On: 11/8/2007 Last Residence: 92128 San Diego, California,
Street Address: Rosemere St
Service Number: 21261
Branch of Service: U.S. Marine Corps – Headquarters Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 35Mcawc
Morton distinguished himself as a member of the Rye High School Class of 1938. During his high school years, he held the position of senior class secretary and was a proud member of the National Honor Society. Morton actively participated in various extracurricular activities such as varsity tennis, varsity football, band, and the chess club.
After graduating from high school, Morton completed his education at Rutgers University in 1942. In response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy and entered the Navy Flight Training Program. He attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. During World War II, Morton served as a pilot, transporting supplies and wounded individuals throughout the Pacific Theater campaigns. He remained in the Marine Corps Reserve for 21 years and retired as a Major.
Following World War II, Morton pursued a career in the investment securities business in the San Francisco Bay Area. He hosted a weekly radio program and conducted lecture series focused on securities and personal finance. Morton actively engaged in the community, serving as the president of the University Club of Palo Alto. He had a lifelong passion for the performing arts and contributed both on stage and in the administration of the Palo Alto Community Theater. After retiring in 1981, Morton relocated to Calaveras County, California, where he assumed the role of President of the Ebbetts Pass Property Owners Council. He enjoyed participating in community theater, as well as playing tennis, golf, and involving himself in various civic organizations.
In 1998, Morton became a resident of Rancho Bernardo, San Diego. He served as a docent at the Flying Leathernecks Museum of Marine Aviation at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. In 1999, Morton married Betty Jean Overstreet, whom he had initially met and dated in 1943 when stationed at Camp Kearny (now Miramar) in San Diego before leaving for the war. After a chance reunion fifty-five years later, they embarked on a brief courtship and tied the knot in Rancho Bernardo.
On November 8, 2007, Morton passed away at the age of 87 due to complications following surgery. He was survived by his wife Betty Jean, his sons Bradley (with wife Diane Moss) and Grant (with wife Julie) along with their children Ross, Lee, Joshua, and Cassidy. His daughter Ann and her children Kyle and Kelsey also survived him. Morton was further survived by his stepsons Tim and Neil Duggan, along with stepchildren Vicki Johns (and husband Dick), Paula Hart (and husband Jim), Nancy Dogra (and husband Raj), Patti Nanos (and husband Pete), and Stuart Bailey (and wife Cheryl). More on Lichtman.
