Virginia Beach —Norman Jacob Kozak, 87, an educator, World War II veteran and concentration camp liberator, died June 2, 2013, at Beth Sholom Village.
Mr. Kozak was born in Norfolk to the late George and Helen Kozak, later graduating Suffolk High School, and then raising his family in Portsmouth before retiring to Western Branch in Chesapeake.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian T. Kozak of Chesapeake; his children, Alan Kurzer of Norfolk, Larry Kurzer (currently) of South Korea, Mark Kozak (Brenda) of Chesapeake, George Kozak (Angela) of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., and Ben Kozak of Chesapeake; sister-in-law, Eunice F. Kozak; and his grandchildren, Rachel and Sam. Over the course of 45 years, Norman and Lillian successfully united two families after the death of Norman’s first wife, Flora Steinberg.
Mr. Kozak was an Army medic who served in France and Germany, arriving just after the D-Day invasion. Among his duties, Mr. Kozak assisted in the liberation of Dachau concentration camp. Later in life, he served as a witness/educator for the local UJF Holocaust Commission.
Mr. Kozak was a graduate of the College of William & Mary and earned a master’s from Old Dominion University. A teacher of distributive education for 26 years at Chesapeake’s Deep Creek High, he also assisted in coaching sports at the school and was a scoreboard operator for football and basketball. He taught night classes in marketing at ODU. After retiring from teaching, Mr. Kozak worked as an assistant manager at Chapman’s Jewelers.
Mr. Kozak was an active member of Gomley Chesed Synagogue and was a Blue Yarmulke Man of the Year for its Men’s Club. He spent many years teaching in the religious school and supervising Junior Congregation.
A Life Master in bridge, Mr. Kozak was an avid participant in multiple sports. Tennis became his devotion, and he was a longtime supporter of racially integrated tennis in the city.
The family thanks the caring administration and staff of Beth Sholom Home for its support over the past four years. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Sholom Home, Jewish Family Service or Gomley Chesed Synagogue.
Graveside services, conducted by Rabbi David Goldstein, were held at Gomley Chesed Cemetery. Sturtevant Funeral Home.