On Saturday, May 15th, The Hollander Room at the Joyce Herbert VFW Post 226 was dedicated to Dr. Milton B. Hollander (1928-2017), a true patriot, Army veteran, visionary executive and supporter of education with a lifelong devotion to American manufacturing and the U.S. military.
Dr. Hollander was very proud of his Bayonne roots and especially proud of graduation from the technical division of BHS.
The dedication was chaired by former Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia McGeehan and Theodore Garelick, former BMC vice-president, Planning Board chair and Board of Education trustee. Speakers also included our Mayor Jimmy Davis, former Bayonne physician and Veteran, LTC John Smith, M.D., Honorable Congressman Albio Sires, Glen Flora, Post 226 Commander and Founder and Dr. Hollander’s son Aaron Hollander.
School Bee’s Knees under the direction of Ted Cherney introduced the program with a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner and closed the program with God Bless America. Scoutmaster Jan Egan and a contingent of Boy Scouts from Troop 25 assisted in the program in various ways.
Joseph Kochanski, the Post chaplain, called for the presentation of colors with both the Bayonne Police Department and Fire Department Honor Guards, recited the opening prayer, led The Pledge of Allegiance, recited and closed with God and Peace, the Veteran’s Prayer. The program concluded with the solemn playing of Taps by Val Kolpunowicz.
Immediately after graduation from BHS, at 17, Dr. Hollander joined the Army and just several months later became a sergeant while serving in Korea.
Following Army service, he earned a BS degree in engineering from Purdue University on the GI Bill. After college he married his high school sweetheart Betty Grodberg Hollander, received his Master’s degree from MIT and while working full time and raising 4 children Milton received his Ph.D from Columbia University.
Dr. Hollander earned over 200 patents and was the chief science and technology officer for American Standard Corporation and later for Gulf & Western Industries.
The Hollanders helped organize one of the first visits of Americans to meet with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. As industry leaders,Dr. Hollander and his wife were also guests of Ronald Reagan at the White House.
