Woodsburgh resident celebrates 100 years of life

Turning 100-year-old is a milestone by itself, but Woodsburgh resident Arthur Feltheimer did it twice. Physically born on Feb. 26, 1922, there were complications so a birth certificate was not issued until March 7, his legal birth date.

“I feel fortunate,” he said about hitting the century mark. To recognize his longevity and honor his military service, the Village of Woodsburgh organized a birthday parade on Sunday that will begin lining up with the American Legion Riders at Congregation Sons of Israel, at 111 Irving Place, in Woodmere at 1:40 p.m., and will proceed to Felthiemer’s home. The parade “is very meaningful to me, and I feel very honored,” he said.

Felthiemer grew up in the Bronx and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School. Inducted into the Army in January 1943. Assigned to Camp Upton, now the home of Brookhaven National Laboratory. He went onto Harrisburg, Pa., where he learned about airplane engines.

He was transferred to Kelly Field in San Antonio for basic training. Assigned to a group for overseas duty he went to Townsville in the Northern part of Australia. Feltheimer was discharged from the military at Fort Dix on Aug. 10, 1944.

“Our father is a very private, modest man,” daughter Elaine Beitler wrote in an email, also speaking for her brother and sister. “He views [the parade] as an honor. He has the utmost respect for veterans, and sharing a moment like this with them will certainly be a highlight of his life.”

Felthiemer attended the Lowell Institute of Technology, now known as the Lowell Technology Institute, in Lowell, Mass. He pursued a career in textile engineering. Feltheimer first worked for the federal government as the assistant chief inspector, where he was in charge of the inspections of all the fabrics that were produced in mills from the eastern seaboard to the Mississippi River.

The agency moved to Philadelphia and he joined JP Stevens Textile Corp., where he spent most of his career in textile design and engineering. Felthiemer worked for half a century and retired in 1990 at 68.

He and wife, Harriet, celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary this past January. They met on a blind date arranged by common acquaintances, Elaine said. The couple raised their children in Oceanside and lived there for roughly 42 years. They moved to Woodsburgh in 2002 to be closer to their family. “My husband is a wonderful, good person,” said Harriett, 92. “He deserves every honor and I’m very proud of him.”

Elaine said her father did not speak often about his military experience. She said Feltheimer was proud of his service. “His whole life he did the right thing without any desire for recognition,” his son-law Ron Beitler said, “and for other people to recognize his service, is something that he deserves.”

Passionate about his family, faith and community, he has been actively involved in each, including the Jewish War Veterans for decades, helping to lead and manage annual barbecues for disabled veterans of all faiths in Queens and Long Island. Feltheimer favors classical music, is an avid reader, and he and Harriet spend much time with their family.

“We’ve watched our grandfather give back to veterans all our lives, it’s a beautiful full circle moment to watch him being honored for his service now,” said granddaughter Jamie Beitler.

Story reflects a corection of Feltheimer's last name.