George Birdt passed away April 28, 2018 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He has been reunited with his lifelong love, Eleanor Snell Birdt.
He was born September 2, 1924 in The Bronx, New York to Louis and Sadie. During his Depression era childhood, he was a messenger delivering Western Union telegrams. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School and was a senior when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He graduated from Kings Point, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and saw action in the Pacific. On his 21st birthday he was on a ship a short distance from the battleship Missouri when the Japanese surrender was signed. He had a successful career in the Navy, with tours in Coronado, California, Newport R.I, and France, retiring as a Captain in 1972. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a Masters Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War college.
He met his partner in life, Eleanor, while both were working in Point Mugu, California and were married for 63 years. They moved to Oak Harbor in 1980 and enjoyed golfing, travel and spoiling grandchildren. Eleanor pulled off a coup when she stunned and surprised him in 1989 with a huge party to celebrate his 65th birthday.
Although intellectually brilliant, he had a good sense of humor, often saying his only allergies were gray paint and salt water and referring to his daughters’ marriages as “change of command ceremonies”. They moved to Oak Harbor in 1980 and enjoyed golfing, travel and spoiling grandchildren. Eleanor pulled off an epic coup when she orchestrated with a huge party to celebrate his 65th birthday, with planning worthy of an Strategic Planner (George’s subspecialty).
He is survived by his brother, Marvin (Lynne), daughters Margi Abbott (Brian), and Barbara Prentice (Michael), grandchildren, Steven Abbott (Joanna), Cheryl Jansen (Joshua), Christopher Wolpert (Valerie) , Stephanie Merriman (Steven) and Jonathan Wolpert and seven great-children.
A Graveside Service will take place Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 1:00 PM, with Military Honors by NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. Memorial donations are suggested to the March of Dimes. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com