Saul Schottenstein Obituary (2007)

Saul Schottenstein, age 85, died Saturday, August 11, 2007. Preceeded in death by father and mother, Ephraim and Anna Schottenstein, brothers,Leon Schottenstein,Alvin Schottenstein and Jerome Schottenstein; nephew, Jon Harris. Survived by wife, Sonia Modes Schottenstein; sister and brother-in-law, Selma and Irving Harris; sisters-in-law, Jean Schottenstein, Beverly Schottenstein and Geraldine Schottenstein Hoffman; nieces and nephews, Chaya Wuensch, Tom Schottenstein and William Schottenstein; Charles Schottenstein, Randee Schottenstein, Robert Schottenstein and Gary Schottenstein; Jay Schottenstein, Ann Deshe, Susan Diamond and Lori Schottenstein; Jeff Harris and Lisa Hollister. A graduate of South High School, Saul also attended The Citadel. He was a past president of Schottenstein Stores Corporation and a co-founder, vice chairman and a director of Value City Department Stores, Inc. Saul, an avid golfer, walker, snow and water skier, was well known worldwide for his philanthropic endeavors. They included The Saul Schottenstein Chair in Parkinsons Research at the University of Cincinnati; The Saul Schottenstein Synagogue and Heritage Village Fund at the Wexner Heritage Village; The Ephraim and Anna Schottenstein Synagogue at the Columbus Torah Academy; The Jerome and Saul Schottenstein Hasmonean Water Tunnels, The Western Wall Foundation; The Schottenstein Talmud Bavli, The Mesorah Heritage Foundation; The Schottenstein Family Cancer Research Laboratory at the Arthur James Cancer Hospital and Richard Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University. He also received numerous honors including an Honary Doctorate Degree from Bar Ilan University, the Wexner Heritage Village Life With Dignity Award and he was a lifetime Trustee at the Columbus Torah Academy. Saul was a WWII veteran and a proud member of the Jewish War Vets. He was also a supporter of numerous organizations including State of Israel Bonds, The National Parkinsons Foundation, Hillel Foundation, The Columbus Jewish Federation and the NAACP. Stated his sister, Selma, "he was a very brave man. He struggled with Parkinsons for many years but thanks to some pioneer surgery, he could swim and play golf again and enjoy his life." She added, "when growing up, Saul was my buddy. When I was young, he would take me to the theatre and out to dinner on many weekends. Later, we took our children to ski at Mansfield with our nieces and nephews. Later in life, we met him on many weekends to play golf with him in Columbus. He will be sorely missed". Funeral Service 2 PM Sunday, August 12, 2007 at THE EPSTEIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 3232 E. Main St., with Rabbi Howard Zack, Rabbi Areyeh Kaltmann and Rabbi Cary Kozberg, and Cantor Baruch Schiffman officiating. Burial to follow at New Agudas Achim Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Columbus Torah Academy.