Klein, Gad

Gad (Gadi), son of Esther and Shalom (Shuli), was born on May 22, 1952, in Kibbutz Givat Oz. he studied with the children of the kibbutz and the “Shomria” institution in Mishmar Ha’emek. Gadi was a good student and excelled in mathematics. His teacher told him that he “had integrity, intellectual ability.” His final thesis on “The Economic Value of the Factors of Production in Givat Oz” was highly acclaimed. His friends said he had “strong willpower, and his sense of humor and cynicism would have been used side by side.” In a group conversation, Gadi once said to himself: “I like to act even when it comes to something I do not like, and I’m willing to engage in activities that are far from my heart if it seems necessary.” Gadi was an active member of the Hashomer Hatzair movement and later served as a counselor. He was an avid sports fan, played mainly in volleyball and was among the members of the Shomria team. He traveled a lot and loved to look at landscapes around the farm, plants, and animals. Gadi was kind and gentle and excelled modestly. He was naturally cool and did not lose his temper. He was always reassuring his friends with a saying he used to say: “Only without panic, please.” He had a great deal of thought and reflection, and his friend said about him: “He had practical wisdom and mischief.” Gad was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in early January 1970 and volunteered for the IAF, where he took part in a pilot course, a parachuting course and a pilot course, and was authorized to serve as a helicopter pilot. And Gadi was wounded. For many weeks he lay in a hospital, and for some time before the war broke out, he returned to serve in the squadron. His friend, who often flew with him in the helicopter, said: “Gadi always said that although things would be more complicated and difficult than what they usually do … even though he dealt a great deal with evacuating the wounded, he could not bear blood.” On the 11th of Tishrei 5734 (October 11, 1973), Gadi fell in operational action. During the first days of the war, he fought on the Sinai front and then was sent northward to the Golan Heights. While trying to rescue a pilot who had fallen over enemy lines, the helicopter was hit by enemy fire from the ground and Gadi was hit and killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Givat Oz. He was survived by a father, a mother, and two sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to lieutenant.
In his letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “His career in the air force was full of successes and achievements in all areas. His kibbutz published a pamphlet in his memory, which included things about his character