Frank Israel Alexander Weintroub, otherwise known as 'Punky' Weintroub, was born on September 15, 1923 and died on May 10, 2000.
He grew up in Cape Town and joined the Air Force in 1939 at age 17. He spent time in North Africa and Italy during WWII. He married Esther in his early 30's and they had three children, Barbara, Jill & Jonathan. He worked as a manufacturer's representative, and enjoyed walking, hiking and travel. He liked to wear white shirts, and did not care for garlic or music with his food.
These few words do not adequately paint a picture of Punky. With the aid of personal recollection, and after speaking to family members, a more illuminating picture is obtained.
Punky was a warm and generous man, given to expressing strong opinions in a direct and clear manner. He espoused firm principles of conduct & took pride in taking on responsibility. An example of this was when he returned home after the war. His father had died, leaving behind a large debt. Punky took it upon himself to pay off the debt over the next 12 years, instead of allowing the estate to declare insolvency. He cared for his mother who lived till she was 94. He visited her almost daily after work, & brought her home on weekends.
Punky was blessed with a quirky sense of humor, and a clear vision of the world. He became famous for his 'Punky-isms'. These are some of them:
"I've been tired since 1946"
"From hunger, we won't starve"
"The telephone is a means of communication, not conversation"
"Kein and hora, he can eat"
"Music and food don't mix"
When trying to choose between the orthodox Camps Bay Shul, and the more distant reform shul, he said:
"it's closer _not_ to go to the Camps Bay shul"
"the only reason the cat stayed with us is that she looked in the fridge"
We miss you, Punky, for your "say it as it is" spirit, and know that you would have been delighted and enchanted to have Robbie as your daughter-in-law.