Friends describe Yuval Holtzman, father of three, as central figure in Galon, near Kiryat Gat.
By SHELLY PAZCobra crash wreckage 224.88(photo credit: AP)
Maj. (res.) Yuval Holtzman, 40, the IAF navigator who was killed on Wednesday when his Cobra helicopter gunship crashed in the North, was buried on Sunday afternoon at Kibbutz Galon.
El Al pilot Holtzman, a father of three young children, was described by friends as a central figure in Galon, near Kiryat Gat, where he was raised and together with his wife, Adi, raised their children.
"Yuval was a special guy. On the one hand, his manly image created the atmosphere of security and warmth, but on the other hand he was a kind and sensitive person who was always attentive to his family, friends and acquaintances," a friend who asked that his name not be published told The Jerusalem Post.
When he was released a few years ago from the air force, where he had served as a combat pilot for many years, he entered the hi-tech sector. "But the desire to be an El Al pilot never faded and he was the happiest person when he got the job with El Al," the friend recalled.
Holtzman and Adi married young.
"They had a great love and right from the start they were a real couple who did everything together and built their home in the kibbutz," the friend said.
They chose to raise their children where he grew up and right next door to his parents, Ilana and Shima'le, and siblings.
"His father always said that Yuval was willing to leave everything and go back to work in the fields of Kibbutz Galon. Yuval loved those fields, he said many times that they give him this incredible feeling of spaciousness and freedom. I guess flying gave him the same feeling and this is why he pursued a career as a pilot," the friend said.
Holtzman's friends described him as the "most generous person" they had ever known, a man who was always ready to help and found time for everything and everyone.
"He loved to cook and loved having people over and cooking for his friends from the squadron. Everything that he did was with an open heart and an open hand, and this is why all the people around him loved him so much. He was the pride of the family and the pride of his friends," another friend said.
"We all watched the news when it was reported that a Cobra helicopter crashed into the ground last week, but none of us even imagined Yuval was on it. He was a skilled and experienced pilot. We all knew that over the years he had performed and participated in many dangerous operations, and when one of us planned to go abroad, we asked to be on Yuval's flight [with El Al]. That's how much he was a source of strength and security for all of us," the friend said.
She added that Holtzman always smiled and took the good things from life.
"Yuval was a rare and generous person who was attached to his parents just as much as he was closed to his wife and children," she said.
The Holtzman family asked the media not to cover the funeral.
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