Obituary for Harold "Hal" Gotoff
Harold L. Gotoff, former director of the Physical Protection Directorate of the Chemical Systems Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground and a consultant engineer, died Tuesday, January 3, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mr. Gotoff retired in 1986 from the proving ground where he had served in various capacities for 35 years/ Prior to entering government service, during WW2, in conjunction with SAM laboratories at Columbia University, Mr. Gotoff worked on the atomic bomb program on the acquisition of fissionable Uranium. In 1946-47, he served in the Army Air Force where he contributed to the development of early guided missiles.
His association with the Chemical Corps Laboratories stems from 1951 where he held major assignments in all aspects of the R&D program, both offensive and defensive. Early in his career, he worked on the development of smoke generators, flame throwers, and associated equipment. He also worked on the development of chemical weaponry, protective masks, enclosures invulnerable to to penetration of chemical warfare agents, and decontamination systems. As Chief of the test division he directed the entire program to characterize the effectiveness of chemical agents in the battlefield and was frequently called on to lecture to government contractors and professional engineering societies on all aspects of the chemical/biological (C/B) defense program. He held an international reputation in C/B defense and served as U.S. delegate to NATO. He also originated numerous technical data exchange agreements with other countries including the Republic of Korea, France, and the State of Israel, and was honored by them.
An advocate of physical fitness, Mr. Gotoff was frequently seen jogging on upper Park Heights Ave. He also served for many years as an instructor in low impact aerobics for the Jewish Community Center. In 1995 he was awarded the Man-of-the Year award for his dedication and leadership at the JCC.
Mr. Gotoff was born in New York City and attended public schools in Union City, NJ. He was awarded a full tuition scholarship at New York University where he received his engineering degree. He also did graduate study in management engineering at George Washington University.
He was preceded in death by his dear wife Helene and his brother Raymond. He remarried in 1983 to the former Marilyn Ostrow Goldberg; two sons, the late Alan Gotoff and Steven Gotoff, two step daughters, Wendy Ehrlich and Amy Lester, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral Services to be held at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, on Sunday January 8th, 2023, at 1pm. Interment at Mikro Kodesh Beth Israel Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory can be made to Disabled American Veterans, online at dav.org.
Mr. Gotoff retired in 1986 from the proving ground where he had served in various capacities for 35 years/ Prior to entering government service, during WW2, in conjunction with SAM laboratories at Columbia University, Mr. Gotoff worked on the atomic bomb program on the acquisition of fissionable Uranium. In 1946-47, he served in the Army Air Force where he contributed to the development of early guided missiles.
His association with the Chemical Corps Laboratories stems from 1951 where he held major assignments in all aspects of the R&D program, both offensive and defensive. Early in his career, he worked on the development of smoke generators, flame throwers, and associated equipment. He also worked on the development of chemical weaponry, protective masks, enclosures invulnerable to to penetration of chemical warfare agents, and decontamination systems. As Chief of the test division he directed the entire program to characterize the effectiveness of chemical agents in the battlefield and was frequently called on to lecture to government contractors and professional engineering societies on all aspects of the chemical/biological (C/B) defense program. He held an international reputation in C/B defense and served as U.S. delegate to NATO. He also originated numerous technical data exchange agreements with other countries including the Republic of Korea, France, and the State of Israel, and was honored by them.
An advocate of physical fitness, Mr. Gotoff was frequently seen jogging on upper Park Heights Ave. He also served for many years as an instructor in low impact aerobics for the Jewish Community Center. In 1995 he was awarded the Man-of-the Year award for his dedication and leadership at the JCC.
Mr. Gotoff was born in New York City and attended public schools in Union City, NJ. He was awarded a full tuition scholarship at New York University where he received his engineering degree. He also did graduate study in management engineering at George Washington University.
He was preceded in death by his dear wife Helene and his brother Raymond. He remarried in 1983 to the former Marilyn Ostrow Goldberg; two sons, the late Alan Gotoff and Steven Gotoff, two step daughters, Wendy Ehrlich and Amy Lester, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral Services to be held at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, on Sunday January 8th, 2023, at 1pm. Interment at Mikro Kodesh Beth Israel Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory can be made to Disabled American Veterans, online at dav.org.