Katz, Gadi

Son of Yehuda and Bracha. He was born on 27.6.1959 in Moshav Nir-Zvi. He began his studies at the elementary school in the moshav, then moved to the Netzer Sireni school on the kibbutz and completed his studies at the Amal High School in Ramle. Gadi grew up in a warm home for an Argentinean family and was educated on values ​​of integrity, work ethic and love of the homeland. His great loves in childhood were reading books, engaging in handicrafts, and especially nature. He used to read every book that fell next to him, did not find any special topics, and “sank into reading until late at night,” says his mother. “Gadi just loved to read.” He had a natural talent for handicrafts, and especially succeeded in his metal sculptures, which he placed in the garden of the house. But his really great love was nature and animals, which treated them and learned their way of life. During his teenage years in the safari built in the park Ramat Gan, where he built the pavilions of the zoo. Prior to joining the army, he volunteered to work in the field school in Ein Gedi, and the place appealed to him. He decided that as soon as his service was over he would settle in the Arava. At the beginning of November 1977, Gadi was drafted into the IDF and assigned to the Military Police, where he completed a police-military course and graduated with a fine grade. In the estimation of his commanders, Gadi was “a good soldier, disciplined, highly motivated, with leadership skills, excellent physical fitness and a very good level of intelligence.” On Friday, May 13, 1978, Gadi fell during his service. He was laid to rest in the Nir Zvi cemetery. He was 19 years old. Survived by his parents, brother and sister. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “From the day I met Gadi, I was impressed by his seriousness, responsibility and devotion.” During basic training and the military police course, he was outstanding in everything he did, and was scheduled to be sent to a training course, Contact, at his request, and – for sergeant and officer courses. Gadi tried and did not despair of wanting to go to the air force; Indeed, a few days ago we received a message to send him to air-force tests – I am certain that he would have successfully passed these tests as well. “