Gershon Funk

Gershon, son of Bella and Avraham, was born on the 5th of Sivan 5708 (August 5, 1948) in Ramat Gan and attended the “Merkaz” elementary school in Ramat Gan and the Technikum high school in Givatayim. Gershon was a diligent student and his childhood was interested in aviation. First he flew small models, which he had built with his own hands and all his free time, winter and summer, on Saturdays and weekdays, devoted to this hobby. When he was thirteen, he enrolled at the Emanuel airport in Ramat Gan and eventually taught there. When he reached the age of sixteen he received a license to fly gliders and began to fly at any time. Gershon was also a member of the Scout movement and was a devoted books enthusiast, he had a large collection of books and he spent hours reading, always being friendly, friendly to his friends, willing to help others and a loyal son to his family. Gershon was drafted into the IDF in mid-February 1968 and volunteered for a pilot course. Due to a physical defect discovered during the medical examinations he was forced to move to the Ordnance Corps. After completing basic training and completing a weapons course, he completed a preparatory course for armament officers and completed a course for armament officers. Since he had not abandoned his old dream, he returned to medical examinations for a pilot course. This time he was accepted, completed a pilot course, took a flight instructor course and was assigned to a combat squadron and was awarded the rank of lieutenant. Gershon was a good officer, efficient, talented and Ehud, both as a pilot in operational positions and in training. In his opinion, his commanders wrote praises about him, such as: “He carries out his duties in an orderly, social and acceptable manner.” During the Yom Kippur War, Gershon took part in operational activity on the southern front. On the 18th of Tishrei 5740 (October 18, 1973), upon returning from an important attack mission on Kantara in Egypt, Gershon’s plane was hit and killed. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. Survived by a wife, parents and sister. After his fall, he was promoted to captain. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “His special qualities were conspicuous: internal and external quiet, a salient performance, a good level of flight and readiness to embark on any mission. When I needed pilots who could rely on their ability to perform difficult tasks and their courage to withstand great dangers, Captain Gershon Funk was among them. “