Obituary: G. Alan Katz
He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, an insurance executive and an avid golfer.
G. Alan Katz, a veteran of the Korean War and longtime resident of Marietta, died Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at age 88.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janet Schulman Katz; children Sandee K. Panichi (Kevin), Nancy C. Brown (Michael), Stephen M. Katz (Rachel) and Robert N. Katz (Kathleen), all of whom live in the Atlanta area; grandchildren Laura Poteet (Michael) of Woodstock, Aaren Panichi of Marietta, Matan Katz of Tel Aviv, Andrew and Julie Katz of Marietta, and Daniel, Gildea and Caitlin Katz of Decatur; and great-grandchild Logan Poteet of Woodstock.
Katz was born in Louisville, Ky., on March 3, 1929, to Anna Gertrude and Raymond R. Katz. The close-knit family included his brother, Donald B. Katz, M.D., (Shirley) of Louisville, who survives him.
Katz grew up and attended high school in Chicago and thereafter returned to Kentucky to attend college at the University of Louisville. He was a licensed pilot and a member of the rifle team and ROTC while in college.
Katz, an expert marksman, served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was based in Okinawa, Japan.
In 1954, after returning from military service, Katz married Janet Schulman, daughter of Rose and Harry Schulman, at the B’rith Sholom Temple in Louisville. Their marriage took place in the same room in which Janet taught Sunday school.
Katz later joined the group and pension division of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co., where he was quickly promoted through the ranks to senior management positions. In 1973, Katz was transferred to Atlanta, and he retired from John Hancock as a senior executive in 1987.
After retiring, Katz embarked on a second career as a tax specialist. After undergoing extensive training, Katz performed tax-related consulting, preparation of simple and complex returns, and other services for corporations and individuals from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds — from senior executives to new immigrants.
Katz, a lifelong golfer with nine lifetime holes-in-one, served for many years on the executive committee of the Georgia State Golf Association and as a rules official for various tournaments and U.S. Open qualifying rounds. In 2008, Katz received the Bill Todd Award from the GSCA for long years of service to the organization and the game. Golf, with its strict rules and code of honor, was more than a game to Katz. Golf was a metaphor for how Katz conducted his life: with integrity and honor.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30062, www.kolemeth.net/A-Children-s-Memorial-Garden-537.aspx, or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 404-785-4483, www.choa.org/donors-and-volunteers/ways-to-give, choagiving@choa.org.
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