Bernard Bernie Springer, who in the 1940s illegally procured arms and ammunition for the fledgling state of Israel with the clandestine Lavender Hill Mob, passed away Feb. 25, 2013, in Denver.
Rabbis Ben Greenberg and Benjy Last and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the Feb. 27 service held at The Denver Synagogue. Interment followed at Rose Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
He was a man committed to family, community, country and Israel, the family said. Mild-mannered, he wasnt afraid of confrontation or adversity.
Mr. Springer was born Aug. 12, 1921, in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated high school in the Bronx and attended Southern Methodist University.
Mr. Springer served with the US Army in WW II for four years. In 1942, he served as an MP at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver.
During his last year he entered the Chaplains Corps, which he always described as his formal introduction to Jewish ritual.
He married Ruth Springer on July 18, 1943.
Read the IJN eulogy, “Bernie Springer, 1921-2013“
An insurance executive at Harry J. Pells & Co., Mr. Springer worked for Security Life of Denver for most of his career. He retired in 2000.
In addition to the Lavender Hill Mob, then part of the Israeli Haganah, Mr. Springer was past president of Beth Joseph and Beth Israel Hospital and Nursing Home; a Mason and Shriner; and a member of the Jewish War Veterans.
Mr. Springer is survived by his wife Ruth Springer; daughter Esther (Bruce) Flossic of Denver, son Dr. Robert (Suzan) Springer of Denver; grandchildren Geoffrey (Karen) Flossic, Rachel (Jordan) Kortmeyer, Jonathan Flossic and Zoie Leah Springer; and great-grandchildren Marshall Kortmeyer and Emily Flossic.
Contributions may be made to BMH-BJ; the Marlene F. Landy Cancer Foundation, PO Box 370384, Denver, CO 80237; or Israel Bonds.
Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News
