[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO ROBERT SIEV

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 31, 2013

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Robert 
Siev of South Pasadena, California, a kind, brave and highly respected 
man.
   Robert was born on April 6, 1926, in Germany. During the Holocaust, 
at the age of thirteen, he and some of his family escaped by boarding a 
moving train in Lithuania, getting their visas stamped by Japanese 
Consul General Chiune Sugihara, and then jumping off of that train. 
After a dangerous flight across Russia, they eventually made it to 
America. Having lost much of his family to the Holocaust, including his 
younger brother Jonah, Robert was eternally grateful to the United 
States for permitting his family to emigrate, live freely and for the 
educational opportunities the United States afforded.
   The Sievs came to the United States and settled in New York, where 
Robert attended New York University. During this time period, he taught 
himself English, joined the Army, and became a United States citizen. 
Robert moved to Philadelphia and while at Penn State University, in 
1943, he met the love of his life, Beatrice (Bea) Spector. Robert and 
Bea got married and in 1946, their daughter Carol was born. In 1955, 
Robert moved his family to South Pasadena, California, where he and Bea 
became active in the community.
   A chemical engineer by trade, Robert worked for renowned engineering 
companies CF Braun, Aerojet General, and Bechtel from which he retired. 
In his volunteer life, Robert was involved in all aspects of the South 
Pasadena community. Generous with his time and money, he was active in 
the South Pasadena Educational Foundation--which supports the city's 
schools, interested in city politics, and he was a staunch ``freeway 
fighter'' in the effort to stop the 710 freeway extension through South 
Pasadena. Robert was a steadfast supporter of Israel and was proud of 
the accomplishments made by the Jewish people. He was very involved in 
his temple, Temple Beth Israel in Highland Park, and was a continuous 
contributor to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the 
Holocaust Museum. In addition, Mr. Siev was also occasionally the 
featured guest speaker at various organizations, where he would speak 
about his own experiences during the Holocaust.
   Robert passed away on July 6, 2013, and is survived by his wife of 
nearly 70 years, Beatrice, daughter Carol, brother-in-law Ellis, son-
in-law Stuart, grandchildren Lisa and Daniel, and one great-grand 
daughter Shana. I ask all members to join me in remembering Robert 
Siev, a true treasure to the South Pasadena and greater Los Angeles 
community.

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