Sam Schwartzstein

Sam Schwartzstein, 95, of Millburn died Aug. 24, 2013. Born in Newark, he lived in Millburn for 63 years.

Mr. Schwartzstein began his professional career at Admiral Corporation during the infancy of the consumer electronics industry. During his 25 years there, he rose to vice president of sales and distribution.

In 1973, he started his own distribution company, where he worked until his retirement at 94.

He left Panzer College in January 1941 to enlist in the U.S. Army as a private prior to World War II.

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Shortly after, Sam was selected to attend one of the first officer candidate schools, graduating as a second lieutenant. After graduation, his superiors designated Sam as the lead on an initiative to educate andtrain enlisted soldiers who were unable to meet minimum army standards, including creating a complete physical training course and educating illiterate soldiers how to read in only six weeks.In 1942, Sam volunteered for duty in China, where he led troops and participated in four battle campaigns. He was subsequently promoted to Major as an instructor in the Chinese Command andGeneral Staff College. General Chiang Kai-Shek personally awarded him the Order of The Cloud & Banner and he also received the Bronze Star. He was discharged from the Army in 1946.An active Millburn resident, he was elected to the Millburn Board of Education from 1975 to 1981 and served as its president from 1976 to 1981.

Predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Muriel (Cohen), he is survived by two daughters, Anne Druck and Natalie (Mitch) Fleischman; three sons, Henry (Ann), Richard (Sarah), and Danny (Jen Miller); 16 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Services were held Aug. 27 with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston.