Seymour Kreitman's Obituary
Longtime Foster City resident, arts reviewer, and political columnist S. Keith Kreitman (86) passed away peacefully Friday August 17, 2012 at the VA Palo Alto hospice after a long battle with leukemia. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kevin B Kreitman and Thaddeus Cooper of San Jose; his son and daughter-in-law, Keith Michael Kreitman and Becky Moore-Kreitman and granddaughters Kelly Marie and Kerry Lynn Kreitman of Houston TX. Born in 1925, and raised in Chicago, Il, he was a graduate of Northwestern University, with degrees in political science and journalism and advanced studies in law, an education made possible by the G.I. bill. He was one of the youngest soldiers sent to the front lines as a combat medic in the European Theatre in the final days of World War II, documented in his memoir 'Happiness is a Warm Foxhole: Memoirs of a Combat Medic.' A member of a unit that experienced over 80% casualties, he was awarded three bronze stars, and two unit citations for heroism. Yet he never considered himself a hero, but a citizen-soldier, who held no illusions about war. He has been a professional musician, an award-winning playwright, a top-rated interior designer with an international clientele, and a world traveler. Upon retirement, he returned to his journalism, theatre, and political science roots. After moving to Foster City, CA in 1985, he became tireless supporter of the arts, serving as a San Mateo Arts Commissioner, hosting his “Focus on the Arts” television show to support local events on Peninsula TV, Channel 26, and reviewing Bay Area theatre, dance, and symphony for Peninsula newspapers for over fifteen years. In 2009, he received the Bravo Award from the Hillbarn Theatre for his contributions to community theatre. Over the years, he authored a number of political, human interest, and current events columns for Bay Area newspapers. An independent thinker, with ties to thoughtful candidates from both parties, his most recent political column in the San Mateo Daily Journal was widely read, attacked and appreciated for its fearless insights and historical perspectives. A celebration of his life is planned for early September in Foster City, and interment will be at Randhill Park in Chicago IL later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor to the Foster City Rotary Club, or to the Hillbarn Theatre are gratefully appreciated.
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