Dov Ryzman Tribute
Dov Ryzman – A True Gentleman
GUNNER DOV RYZMAN AIF VX123381 (V158326)
VAJEX Member
Passed away 25th December 2008
Dov Ryzman grew up in Melbourne and was always actively involved in sport and community. He was a good honest family man who could always be relied on to lend a helping hand.
A warm-hearted man of great intellect with a gentle nature, Dov employed his sense of humour and literary talents throughout his life, writing on a wide range of subjects. These included Health, Politics, Archaeology, Philosophy, Mysticism, Quantum Physics and Religion.
He was ready to do his duty proudly for family, community and country. A keen sportsman from his early youth, he studied Commerce at Melbourne University. Joining the Melbourne University Rifles, he then, as a teenager, became a member of the 16th Australian Field Artillery Regiment attached to the 1st Australian Armoured Division.
His contribution is documented in the official historical publication, Gunners of the Sixteenth in which his group from the Melbourne University is regarded as the most interesting and versatile.
Dov’s sense of humour helped him through his army years. The diligence with which he applied himself is evidenced by his voluntary undertaking in his own time of the gruelling combat assault course which the rest of the unit only performed when compulsory.
He entered his father’s well known men’s and boys wear manufacturing and wholesale clothing business, Ryzman & Co Pty Ltd, which he conducted successfully for many years, enhancing his reputation for fairness and reliability.
With a great thirst for knowledge, he was an avid reader and writer with published work such as Cardio Conversations, a layman’s guide to heart research, which benefitted many.
An active Freemason, he enjoyed his role as Editor for many years of Fraternally Speaking Newsletter of Lodge Fraternal No 603. He also wrote on Freemasonry, delivering talks eg on Noah’s Ark, Archaeology & Arkeology. His reported interviews included Rabbi Chaim Gutnick, Rabbi Michael Newman, Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky, Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, Coroner Mr H W Pascoe and The Hon Mr Justice Gillard.
Dov’s altruistic nature prompted his involvement in numerous good causes. He also wrote many articles and letters in defence of Israel and the Jewish community.
An ardent admirer of Sir John Monash, even a few days before his passing, he sought out his book on Sir John in his valued home library. Dov’s own life epitomised Monash’s words, “seek knowledge in all directions for its own sake.”
A gifted poet, he wrote a series of books, skilfully putting into verse literature he found inspiring. With modesty he writes, “In my own verse I see the main value of it as being a form which facilitates conciseness.”
He penned these verses to hopefully widely convey positive messages. One such verse book is based on Rabbi Roland B Gittelsohn’s Man’s Best Hope.
More than 1,500 Jewish marines fought at Iwo Jima from 19th February 1945. Rabbi Roland, Jewish chaplain for the American Marine Corps was originally asked to deliver the memorial service for the whole battalion. Some chaplains objected. However, the Protestant Ministers boycotted their own service to support Gittelsohn. This triggered off a reproduction of his magnificent sermon, which was broadcast and recorded in the Congressional Record.
In one stanza of Dov’s verse based on Rabbi Gittelsohn’s book,
“There are miracles of spirit too
I remember a Jewish boy at Iwo Jima in strife
Horribly frightened before the first wave of attack
In that action he later saved another’s life.”
Here is an excerpt of Dov’s verse version of ideas contained in Gittelsohn’s Man‘s Best Hope:
Valley of Shadows
Questions still remain to be answered
Which religion must try to solve
Like “Why did G-d let this happen to me
Despite life lived with good resolve?”
If it is part of religion
To give man meaning in his life
What can we say in the many cases
Which clearly evince much unearned strife.
To stand at the grave of a tender child
Or of fine young friends in combat killed
Who can glibly explain the anguish
What skilful spun logic can assuage what’s been willed.
Yet when the heart breaks we have to try
No less than when it sings
We cannot abdicate G-d-given reason
In trying to answer such things.
There can be no valid answer
Not based on correct assumption
That life with or without religion can see growth without pain
Is not a correct presumption.
Often but now always pain is a mystery
With understanding left unsatisfied
It’s not so much the pain we find intolerable
But pain with no meaning applied
We have known unbelievable heroism
With deep suffering in many a tale
Triumphantly endured by ordinary men
Who saw reason and purpose in their travail
Our ultimate need is to understand
No matter how piercing the pain or intense
Does it amount to whistling in the dark
Or part of greater unknown plan profound immense
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dov will be sadly missed and remembered as a wonderful husband, father and friend. He is survived by his wife, Netty and children Deborah, Leonard, Marlene and Selwyn in whom he fostered a yearning of knowledge.
By Dr Marlene Ryzman (Daughter)