Phillip Fineman

PHILLIP FINEMAN IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Phillip Fineman, 85, of Idaho Falls, died December 15, 2005, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was born September 19, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, to Max and Rose (Gilfond) Fineman. His family moved to Sacramento, then to San Francisco, California, where Phil attended Lowell Polytechnic High School. He then attended University of California at Berkeley earning his BS degree in chemistry. Phil was drafted into the Army when World War II began. After completing basic training, he was selected to be part of the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb. Phil was sent for special training at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, where he received his BS degree in chemical engineering. He then reported to the Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago, where he worked under the leadership of Dr. Glenn Seaborg. While there, Phil met his future wife, Olga Giacchetti, a lab technician on the project. After the war ended, Phil and Olga went to work for Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago, Illinois. They were married August 31, 1946. Phil worked at Argonne until 1967, when he took his family to Idaho Falls. He worked at Argonne National Laboratory-West (EBR II) in waste management at the National Reactor Testing Station, which subsequently became the Idaho National Laboratory. In 1972, Phil moved to the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, where he eventually headed the Plant Safety Analysis group. He remained there until he retired in 1986. Phil was an active volunteer, serving in Boy Scouting in a variety of roles. With his wife, he helped with various activities in the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Other volunteer activities included President of the Idaho Falls Community Concerts, Red Cross Blood Drives, and service as a Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisor (SHIBA). Phil was also a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Board and the Senior Citizen’s Center Board. Phil enjoyed acting in amateur theatrical productions; he loved to cook, being famous for turkey bone soup and matzo balls; reading; doing the daily Word Jumble in the Post Register; and spending time with his grandchildren, Rose (Chris) Lehane, Mark Fineman and Todd Fineman. Phil is survived by his wife of 59 years, Olga, of Idaho Falls; his sons, Bruce (Stephanie) Fineman of Denver, Colorado; Clifford (Sue) Fineman of Idaho Falls; Keith Fineman of Fort Worth, Texas and three grandchildren. Phil, due to a serious illness, was a resident for many months at the Good Samaritan Skilled Nursing Center in Idaho Falls. The family would like to thank the staff at Good Samaritan for the tremendous care they showed Phil and his family during his time there. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Phil’s name to the charity of your choice. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005, at the Wood Chapel of the Pines, 273 North Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends for one hour before the services at Wood Funeral Home. _______________________________________________________ Condolences sent: Bob and Andrea Schindler (schire@srv.net) Praying for you as you each deal with the loss of your loved one after these past months of suffering and uncertainty. May the memories of the past be dear, and may God's comfort be real as you face the future. Barbara & Gabe Maskarinec (lots@srv.net) Dear Olga & Family: We are saddened at the death of Phil. We always felt we had a good friendship with you and Phil. We are sorry we have not visited much as we have gotten older and slower. But, it was always so good to see you when I went shopping. Peace and a prayer for Phil. Barbara & Gabe Robert Nebeker (RLN3833@Juno.com) I was saddened to hear of Phil's death. It was always a pleasure to work and interact with him, both in site work and with the local section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. You have my deepest sympathy at this time. May our Heavenly Father's blessing be with you to bring you comfort and peace at this time.