Arnold R Saltzman

Arnold Robert Saltzman, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home in San Diego, California on April 14, 2023, after a courageous bout with several illnesses. Arnold was born to Aaron and Marcia (née Behr) Saltzman in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Beaumont, Texas, where he excelled in high school basketball. Arnold, or “Arnie” as he was known to his childhood friends, was a popular student who liked to go on adventures and engage in light-hearted pranks with his friends. After high school, he attended Lamar University in Beaumont on a basketball scholarship. As a junior he attended the University of Texas, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu (“Sammy”) fraternity before returning to Lamar to complete a bachelor’s degree in History. He then went on to earn a master’s degree from the Tulane University School of Social Work in New Orleans. At the beginning of his career, he proudly served in the United States Army Reserves for eight years. Later in his career, he attended the executive program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School where he was awarded a graduate certificate in non-profit business management. 

During his professional career, Arnold served as an administrator in various Jewish agencies in Chicago (Assistant District Administrator of Jewish Family Service), New Orleans (Executive Director of Jewish Family Service and Acting Director of Jewish Federation), and Los Angeles (Executive Director and CEO of Jewish Family Service, and General Manager of Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries). After retiring, he served as consultant and interim Director of Jewish Family Service agencies in Las Vegas and Boca Raton. During his career, Arnold led educational and fundraising missions to Israel, and received numerous awards for leadership and excellence. Arnold was widely respected as a leader and a colleague. A lifelong champion of justice and equity, he led the development of facilities and programs that supported thousands of people in his local community and across the world. A part of his success could undoubtedly be attributed to the friendships he built with colleagues at each of the agencies and businesses he led. He was a supportive leader who took the time to know and nurture the team members in his organization. In retirement, Arnold moved to San Diego, where he volunteered in efforts to help his community to become more kind and inclusive. 

Arnold made friends wherever he went and always helped others to improve their lives, including mentoring others at work and while volunteering. Arnold’s co-workers often commented that he was the best at what he did and that he was one of their favorite colleagues. Arnold maintained a lifelong love of sports and fitness. Typically, the first thing he did every morning was take a long walk where he often connected with family or friends–either in person or via phone calls. He was a person of great warmth, humor, and integrity. In addition to the close relationships Arnold established with friends and family members, his gregarious nature led him to strike up acquaintances wherever he went–whether it was a local coffee shop or restaurants and hotels on multiple continents. His curiosity, kindness, and genuine interest in other people’s stories served as a magnet that drew others to him. In every conversation, family members expected to learn about a new acquaintance or an interesting fact about a lifelong friend or relative.

Throughout his life, his greatest priority and concern was always his family. Arnold married his sweetheart Barbara (Rostholder) whom he had known since childhood when their parents were neighbors. Together they had three children, Brian (55), Andrea (53), and Sara (49). Arnold and Barbara lived their dreams together traveling and spending wonderful summers with family at their island home in Washington State. As a person with much energy, he was able to work hard day and night and still have the ability to support his wife, children, and grandchildren in all of their endeavors. The love he showed his family is reflected in their devotion to him. He was an amazing role model who listened intently, offered sage advice, and supported Barbara and his children and grandchildren with patience and generosity. His kindness was an inspiration to his entire family, and his daughter Sara followed directly in his footsteps by pursuing a career in social work. Those who knew and loved him can best honor his memory by showing compassion, understanding, and love to others.

Arnold is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Barbara Rostholder Saltzman, three children, Brian Saltzman (Dr. Adrianne Cook), Andrea Saltzman Martin (Gregory), Sara Saltzman Schoenfeld (Jeff), six grandchildren, Austin and Phoebe Saltzman, Avi and Jocelyn Martin, and Zachary and Coby Schoenfeld, his brother Dr. Earl Saltzman (Resanne), sister-in-law Laurie Rostholder, and numerous loving family and friends, many of whom provided care, support, and encouragement in his last months. His final resting place is in Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries Simi Valley next to his beloved in-laws Sidele and Joseph Rostholder. This picturesque cemetery nestled in the hills just north of Los Angeles was built under Arnold’s direction while he was general manager. The family wishes to thank his rabbis, nurses, physicians, and the caregivers at his senior living home and hospice for the loving care and guidance they provided.