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Shank, Nathan

Shank, Nathan


Nathan, son of Genia and Elimelech, was born on the 11th of Adar 5709 (12.3.1949) in Haifa. In the mid-fifties his family moved to Kibbutz Mizra, and life on the kibbutz gave him values, a way of thinking and education, which shaped his character and way of life. When he was ten years old, his family moved to Haifa and he completed his elementary studies at the J. Even as a child he was attracted to nature and when he entered the Ironi Gimel high school, he wanted to study in the biological track. His educator at the time wrote about him … “Nathan chose the biological trend not as an escape from another trend, but out of a wonderful love for nature and its pathways … His ears were alert to birds’ birds, to rustling leaves, to secrets of nature.” One of his teachers added: “Natan stands out in my memory as a thin boy with good-hearted eyes, who listens attentively to explanations, takes an interest in everything that has to do with nature and lives things. A shadow of a smile, without effort, he learns and enjoys and gives pleasure to his students … ” Nathan graduated with honors. His grades were high, but the grade in biology, which was excellent, made him very happy, since he wanted to do an annual thesis in biology instead of a matriculation exam. In his dissertation he followed the ways of life of birds in his area. For many months he had studied their ways and their way of life. With dedication and endless patience he collected data, edited, photographed and painted. His work, on which he received the “Excellent” grade, is proudly displayed in his school. Nathan was a nice lad and in every company he was always a central figure. He was energetic and energetic, always in motion, always organizing, arranging, and taking care of things. He never waited for others to do for him. One of his friends wrote about him: “If you were a partner to Nathan on any matter, in the organization, in the kumzitz, at the picnic or at the party or in the “shesek” trade, you were sure that you would succeed …” Close social ties and knew how to maintain friendships with people from all over the country … “He was a member of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement and always on trips and trips his group was well equipped. From childhood he aspired to be a pilot. He used to build airplane models, and every time a plane flew over the roof of his house he would go out to look at him and identify him. Nathan was drafted into the IDF in the middle of August 1967 and asked to join a pilot’s course, and was asked to join the Paratroopers Brigade, where he was assigned to a parachuting course, a platoon commander’s course and an infantry officer’s course, and his soldiers loved him and his commanders trusted him, He served in many pursuits and excelled in his courage and devotion to the cause, and during his regular army service he did not abandon his desire to be a pilot, and when he learned that his request was approved he was not happy. He graduated from the course with honors and became a pilot He was an excellent husband and father, devoted and caring for his family, and when the Yom Kippur War broke out, he took part in the braking battles both on the northern front and on the southern front, making sure to call his family every day to calm and encourage them. On December 14, 1973, Captain Nathan was killed while performing his duties in the southern part of the country, and was brought to rest in the Haifa cemetery, where he was survived by his wife and son, parents, brother and sister.

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