Gonen, Yoav
Son of Dina and Dan, was born on September 27, 1964 in Haifa, the third child of a family of four. Yoav was one year old and his father was appointed chief engineer at IAI, and the family moved to Herzliya. Yoav studied at the Weizmann Elementary School, the “Shmuel Hanagid” Middle School and the Herzliya Municipal School, in a realistic direction. He was 17 years old when his mother died after a long and difficult illness. His mother’s death left a scar in his soul. Nevertheless, he overcame and continued his studies. He graduated from high school and after his studies left for a short visit to the United States. In November 1982, Yoav enlisted in the IDF and served in the Artillery Corps. Yoav fought in the Peace for Galilee War, and was later transferred to the Gunners School in the Golan Heights, where he worked with artillery instructors. On April 16, 1985, Yoav fell in the line of duty. He was 21 years old when he died. He left behind a father, a brother and two sisters. Yoav was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Herzliya. The commander of his unit wrote about him in a letter of condolence to his family: “Yoav’s contribution is evident everywhere he worked. The training of soldiers and commanders was influenced by his actions day by day and hour by hour. Devotion and vigor have always characterized your son “
