Nelson Albert Lindenfeld

Nelson Albert (Bert) Lindenfeld died on July 20, 2008 at his residence, Woodland Terrace, in Bridgman at the age of 90. Bert was born on December 25, 1917 to May Beers and Alexander Lindenfeld in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1936 and was a 1940 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan. Immediately following graduation he enrolled in “90 day Wonder School” to receive training in submarine warfare and was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. He served on several submarines including the Gar, the Grambus and the Tigrone, primarily in the Pacific. He was a Lieutenant commander on the Tigrone and was present when the Japanese surrendered to General MacArthur in the Bay of Japan on September 2, 1945. On August 25, 1944, Bert married Viola Agnes (Lu) Carlson and following the end of World War II they returned to St. Joseph, Michigan where he initially worked with his brother Bela and then became a reporter for the Benton Harbor News Palladium. In 1947 he became the Managing Editor of the News-Palladium (now the Herald-Palladium), a post he held for almost 40 years until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure as editor, the News Palladium received numerous awards from both the Associated Press and United Press International for reporting and editorials. He was president of the Michigan Associated Press Editors Association twice and at the time of his retirement he was considered the Dean of Michigan newspaper editors according to the Associated Press. Bert was active in the community serving for 30 years on the Hospital Board of Memorial Hospital and was Chairman of the Board that consolidated Mercy and Memorial Hospitals into Lakeland Hospital. He was on the board for the building fund of the First Congregational Church in St. Joseph and taught Sunday School there for 15 years. He was instrumental is resolving a long Benton Harbor School Board Strike and in raising funds to keep the St. Joseph Catholic School open. He was a member of the St. Joseph City Commission and Commander of the local Naval Reserve Commission and a life-long Michigan football fan. Bert was preceded in death by his wife Viola (Lu), his parents, and his four brothers Bela, John, Frederick, and Franklin. He is survived by his children Dr. Thomas N. Lindenfeld and his wife Lynn of Cincinnati, Ohio, Attorney Richard Beers Lindenfeld of St. Joseph, and Dr. JoAnn Lindenfeld of Denver; two grandchildren, Andy and Alana Lindenfeld; former daughter-in-law Jill Evans Grant of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and by his wonderful friend for the last several years, Priscilla U. Byrns of St. Joseph. A visitation will be held Wednesday, July 23 from 5-7 PM at Starks-Menchinger Funeral Home at 2650 Niles Ave., St. Joseph. Funeral services will be held at the First Congregational Church in St. Joseph, 2001 Niles at 1 PM on Thursday, July 24, 2008, followed by a brief reception at the church and burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery with Military Rites. Donations may be made to either the First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave, of St. Joseph, 49085 or the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, 601 Main St., St. Joseph, 49085.