Obituary for Jerold "Jerry" Gettleman
Jerold "Jerry" Gettleman, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away on Monday, February 6th, 2023 at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife, Judith "Judy" Gettleman (nee Rosenberg); sons, David (Wendy) Gettleman and Jonathan (Marna) Gettleman; sisters, Eileen (late Robert) Morgan and Joi (Mark) Dickerson; grandchildren, Clarke, Grey, Maxwell, and Elliot Gettleman; nieces and nephews, Robert (Karen) Rosenthal and Sheri (Mark) Ruis; and many other family members. Jerry was predeceased by his sister, Maxine (George) Rosenthal; and parents, Molly and Jack Gettleman.
Jerry was born on February 22, 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating from Roxbury Memorial High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was subsequently accepted into the linguistics program at Yale University. Following this intensive USAF sponsored program, he spent three years stationed in South Korea at the end of the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Boston to attend Boston University where he studied geography. During his time at BU, he met Judy. They soon started dating and were married in 1962, following Judy’s graduation.
Upon Jerry’s graduation, he accepted a job with the US National Geological Survey in Washington, D.C. and thus began his long and successful career in Federal and State government. His next job took him to Annapolis, MD, followed by a position with the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. At USDA, he worked in numerous Managerial and Administrator roles until he retired in 1999. Along the way, Jerry made time to earn two master’s degrees, one in geography from Catholic University and the other in behavioral science from the Johns Hopkins University.
During retirement, Jerry continued to pursue his passion of photography and framing, and loved sharing his artistic and creative side, participating in numerous photography and art exhibitions in Columbia and Baltimore. He also loved to travel and took several walking photography trips in Italy. Jerry enjoyed travelling with his family, playing games, and spending time with his children and grandchildren at every opportunity.
He was a devoted friend, incredible father of two, and beloved husband to Judy, his wife of 60 years. He will be missed by many and celebrated by all.
Services at The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045, on Friday, February 10th, 2023 at 10:00 am. Interment Columbia Memorial Park. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to HFSA - Heart Failure Society of America (Rockville, MD).
Jerry was born on February 22, 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating from Roxbury Memorial High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was subsequently accepted into the linguistics program at Yale University. Following this intensive USAF sponsored program, he spent three years stationed in South Korea at the end of the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Boston to attend Boston University where he studied geography. During his time at BU, he met Judy. They soon started dating and were married in 1962, following Judy’s graduation.
Upon Jerry’s graduation, he accepted a job with the US National Geological Survey in Washington, D.C. and thus began his long and successful career in Federal and State government. His next job took him to Annapolis, MD, followed by a position with the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. At USDA, he worked in numerous Managerial and Administrator roles until he retired in 1999. Along the way, Jerry made time to earn two master’s degrees, one in geography from Catholic University and the other in behavioral science from the Johns Hopkins University.
During retirement, Jerry continued to pursue his passion of photography and framing, and loved sharing his artistic and creative side, participating in numerous photography and art exhibitions in Columbia and Baltimore. He also loved to travel and took several walking photography trips in Italy. Jerry enjoyed travelling with his family, playing games, and spending time with his children and grandchildren at every opportunity.
He was a devoted friend, incredible father of two, and beloved husband to Judy, his wife of 60 years. He will be missed by many and celebrated by all.
Services at The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045, on Friday, February 10th, 2023 at 10:00 am. Interment Columbia Memorial Park. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to HFSA - Heart Failure Society of America (Rockville, MD).