Leonard Arnowitz

Birth date: Jul 20, 1923 Death date: Nov 29, 2016

Leonard Arnowitz, who spent more than 20 years working for NASA and helped launch America’s Space Program, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1923, Arnowitz was selected by the United States Read Obituary

Wall Obituary Events Media

Dudi

302w ago

in honor of Leonard.

So sorry to hear only now about Len.
In 1988 he was the Project Manager of "Hornets to Space".
He called me "My Express Card" as we were plant to go to Cape Canaveral to sent real hornets to space. I stayed in Israel but the group sent the cage with lot of hornets to space by the Shuttle. Was very kind to all the stuff here. The project was the research of Prof. Ishay Tel Aviv University to study gravity sensing organs in insects.
My job also was attaching microphones to the honeycomb were the hornets put the eggs to hatch in space with no gravity.
After the space travel rumors said Prof. Ishay spoiled ether liquid on the floor at the lab.
Will remember Len.

A lit candle with a soft flame, surrounded by small white flowers and green leaves, set against a warm yellow background.

Mark Steiner

455w ago

Len was Division Chief when I was hired at NASA oh so many years ago. As I was a new hire (as opposed to being one of the Spare Tires, for those of you who remember), I did not interact too often with someone that high up in the organization. But when I did I found him to be very personable as well as competent. His ideas for making space more accessible through unique uses of the Space Shuttle - as well as his ability to make them happen - were instrumental for a large segment of the science and education community.

He was an interesting man in interesting times, and a good man. I am happy that I was part of what he helped make happen and that I had the honor of working on his team.

Mark Steiner
Retired NASA and part of the Spare Tire group now

Semion Kizhner

457w ago

I met Leonard (Len) in late autumn of 1980 when I came to work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt Maryland. I was commuting there from Reisterstown,
some 50 miles away, and this 100 miles round trip was not sustainable. I was a contractor with Lockheed at the time
But then I met Len at work and joined his carpool. For the next 16 years and until Len's retirement, I was spending some 3 hours a day next to Len in the car in endless discussions on space-related technical matters. It didn't take me long to realize that Len was an extraordinary talented.men. In 1986 Len recommended me for civil service that
changed my life for the next 30 years. Len was a NASA Division Chief and his word had
great power. I never told Len that I was a Holocaust survivor and Len never told me about his explorations at Cape Canaveral and the Synagogue. Len was a great Mench and a genius. The Attached Shuttle Payload Division building still stands, his numerous hired young people still work at Goddard and the two magnolia trees he planted in front of the building still bloom two weeks ahead of all other trees.

I do not know what else to say. I am profoundly saddened now, but immensely fortunate to meet Len in this world. Until we meet again, here is the poem written many years ago
at Cape Canaveral, I do now know why. It is for Len now

Fallen Sequoia

The giant has fallen again
And many are coming to see.
But others are rising to Thee,
Like man and like Joshua tree.

And try to remember Thy rhymes
In Thy spaces and times.

Semion Kizhner
Cape Canaveral
June 15 1994

P'nina Campbell

462w ago

Dear Arnowitz family,
Another Cohen here. I cannot think of a time when you, Shirley, Len, Eddie, Gary, Mitchell, and Joan Beth were not part of my consciousness. We were so connected, geographically, occupationally(our fathers), spiritually( that synagogue in Satellite Beach, Florida). When that area was hardly anything but Banana River, Patrick AFB, and palmetto-and-cactus-lined beach, you lived nearby, Eddie and I were in the same classroom, the only Jews.
Then, and always afterwards, whenever Lenny would call my father, no matter what mood he was in, no matter whether he was sick or not, the sound of joy in my father's voice when he acknowledged who was on the phone was unmistakeable. He always had that ability, to bring such pleasure to my father and all of us. Such a mensch!!
I am glad I was able to know him all these years, that is, at least 60 of my 65 years. May his memory be a blessing!!

P'nina Cohen Campbell
Rockville, Maryland

Bronna Cohen Bodenstein

462w ago

Dear Arnowitz Family,

We heard the news about Len with great sadness. We Cohens always considered him (and all of you!) to be a part of our family. Len and Dad shared so many experiences, including, but not limited to, founding that synagogue in Florida, working together during the early years of the space program, and socializing with our two families; and I know how much Dad loved and respected him.

I particularly remember Dad telling me about a special phone call he received from Len. Len was instrumental in helping Israel successfully launch its first space satellite. He and Dad worked together launching the first U.S. space satellite back in the late 1950s. It was decided at the time that they would announce the historic launch as successful only after the satellite finished its first complete orbit. When the Israeli satellite was launched, Len made sure that it sucessfully made its first orbit before the accomplishment was announced to the world. At that historic moment for Israel (and probably an emotional one for Len), Len thought of Dad and called him from the control room to share about it. That call meant so much to Dad.

May his memory be for a blessing.

Bronna Cohen Bodenstein
Baltimore

Tribute Wall

Tribute Wall