IN LOVING MEMORY OF
M. Gene
Handelsman
June 22, 1923 – February 24, 2016
Obituary
Listen to Obituary
M. Gene Handelsman, 92, a career civil servant, who retired in 1986 as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Development Services, DHHS, died 2/24/2016 at his home in Severna Park, MD.
A native of Charleston, WV, Mr. Handelsman held degrees from West Virginia University and Tulane University. In the 1950's he held positions in West Virginia County and State government public assistance agencies.
Mr. Handelsman began his Federal career in 1956 with the U.S. Department of HEW's regional office in Boston, MA. During his 30-year career, he served with the Bureau of Public Assistance, the Social Security Administration, the Welfare Administration, the Social and Rehabilitation Service and the Administration on Aging in the Office of Human Development Services. He was Director of Management Planning for the Welfare Reform Task Force in 1970-72 for the White House. He served in several positions in the Administration on Aging beginning in 1972 until 1983. He was Associate Commissioner for State and Community Programs and in 1981 was named Acting Commissioner on Aging. In 1982, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner. He was a charter member of the Senior Executive Service and in 1982 received the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award and the DHHS Distinguished Service Medal. After retiring, he was employed by AARP for nine years.
During World War II, Mr. Handelsman served with the 15th Air Force in North Africa and Italy as a B-24 crew member until suffering a mid-air collision over Munich, Germany on his 18th mission. He was a prisoner of war in Germany until he was liberated by the Russians in 1945. He received the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Purple Heart.
Mr. Handelsman is preceded in death by his wife Cynthia Clarridge Handelsman of Severna Park, MD. He is survived by his daughters Jane of College Park, MD and Sally Ann of Winchester, MA, a son-in-law Barry D. McCarthy and granddaughter Lily Marlane McCarthy, both of Winchester, MA.
Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517,Topeka, Kansas 66675.
Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com
A native of Charleston, WV, Mr. Handelsman held degrees from West Virginia University and Tulane University. In the 1950's he held positions in West Virginia County and State government public assistance agencies.
Mr. Handelsman began his Federal career in 1956 with the U.S. Department of HEW's regional office in Boston, MA. During his 30-year career, he served with the Bureau of Public Assistance, the Social Security Administration, the Welfare Administration, the Social and Rehabilitation Service and the Administration on Aging in the Office of Human Development Services. He was Director of Management Planning for the Welfare Reform Task Force in 1970-72 for the White House. He served in several positions in the Administration on Aging beginning in 1972 until 1983. He was Associate Commissioner for State and Community Programs and in 1981 was named Acting Commissioner on Aging. In 1982, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner. He was a charter member of the Senior Executive Service and in 1982 received the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award and the DHHS Distinguished Service Medal. After retiring, he was employed by AARP for nine years.
During World War II, Mr. Handelsman served with the 15th Air Force in North Africa and Italy as a B-24 crew member until suffering a mid-air collision over Munich, Germany on his 18th mission. He was a prisoner of war in Germany until he was liberated by the Russians in 1945. He received the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Purple Heart.
Mr. Handelsman is preceded in death by his wife Cynthia Clarridge Handelsman of Severna Park, MD. He is survived by his daughters Jane of College Park, MD and Sally Ann of Winchester, MA, a son-in-law Barry D. McCarthy and granddaughter Lily Marlane McCarthy, both of Winchester, MA.
Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517,Topeka, Kansas 66675.
Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of M. Gene Handelsman, please visit our flower store.
M. Gene Handelsman's Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors