soul
of blessed memory
continued from page 77
A Bridge-Builder With An Indomitable
Spirit And Zest For Life
RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
H
erb Kaufman had a generous
spirit, a compassionate heart
and a positive outlook that
imbued every aspect of
his life. His devotion to his
family was boundless, and
he spread friendship and
comfort throughout the
community in his business
and personal life. Herb,
who lived in Southfield,
passed away on April 11,
2018, his 94th birthday.
As director of the Ira
Kaufman Chapel, founded Kaufman
by Herb’s late father, Ira,
in 1941, Herb devoted his
life to helping people during their
worst moments. His compassion was
legendary, as were his optimistic atti-
tude and gregarious personality.
According to Rabbi Joseph Krakoff,
who officiated the funeral service,
Herb possessed the unique ability to
bond with people instantly, to get to
know them and develop meaningful
relationships.
Born in Detroit in 1924, Herb
attended Northern High School and
graduated from the University of
Michigan in 1946, where he stud-
ied business. He served briefly in
the Army and started his career as
a door-to-door salesman of ladies’
lingerie in Ohio. In the meantime,
his father, Ira, had started a funeral
business with the help of his wife,
Florence. When Florence died in
1955, Herb moved back to Detroit to
join his father.
Herb was instrumental in expand-
ing the company and moving the
chapel from Dexter and Edison to its
current location in Southfield in 1961.
Herb managed the business side,
while Ira made his name known by
attending minyans and making shi-
vah calls throughout the community.
Herb met his beloved wife, Babs,
when she passed him on a street
corner in Detroit and asked whether
he played bridge. The two fell almost
instantly in love and shared almost
64 years of joy, laughter, devotion and
countless adventures at home and
throughout the world. Together they
raised three children, and Herb was
the consummate father, providing
unconditional love and support and
teaching his kids by example how
78
April 19 • 2018
jn
important it was to do the right thing
in every situation.
As the family grew, they happily
welcomed their children’s spouses
and, later, grandchildren and great-
grandchildren. Daughter
Ilene’s husband, David
Techner, was like Herb’s
own son; the two shared a
mutual adoration for each
other. He was thrilled when
David, and later, David’s
son, Chad, joined the com-
pany, making it a fourth-
generation family business.
Herb was delighted when
Josh Tobias joined the Ira
Kaufman Chapel family in
2010.
In 1967, the family welcomed Dutch
exchange student Kees Gorter into
their lives, and Kees and his family
have maintained a close relationship
with the entire Kaufman and Techner
families for the past 51 years.
Of all Herb’s roles and profes-
sional successes, his favorite title was
“Gramps.” He attended his grandchil-
dren’s sporting events and recitals,
and he enjoyed taking them on ski
trips to Beaver Creek in Colorado and
golfing at Franklin Hills and in Palm
Springs.
“He remained an amazing pres-
ence as we grew into adulthood,” said
grandson Josh.
Herb belonged to several syna-
gogues; he celebrated his first bar
mitzvah at Congregation Shaarey
Zedek and his second at Temple Beth
El, where he was also a past presi-
dent. But his involvement did not end
with the Jewish community; Sunday
mornings would often find Herb
and Babs at the Greater New Mount
Moriah Church in Detroit, attending
services led by their “unofficial pas-
tor,” the Rev. Kenneth James Flowers.
“Herb was a bridge builder,” said
Flowers, who spoke at the funeral,
recounting how Herb had requested
that Flowers and Krakoff form a
coalition to facilitate unity between
their two communities.
He and Babs were honored by
Israel Bonds; he was involved with
the Quarter Century Club and was a
past president of the Jewish Funeral
Directors of America. Next week,
Herb was to receive a rare honor, rec-
ognition for his 60 years of service to
the funeral profession.
Herb was a consummate gentle-
man who saw the good in everyone
he met. He loved wild socks, red
wine and a good meal. His outgo-
ing personality helped transform the
Claymoor apartment building from
a mere residence to a genuine com-
munity.
Even unspeakable tragedy — the
deaths of his beloved daughter, Patti,
and, later, his wife, Babs — could not
dampen Herb’s indomitable spirit and
zest for life. A business that some
might consider grim gave Herb a rare
perspective: It made him realize the
value of life and the importance of
making the most of every day and
every moment.
“He never missed an opportunity
to connect with people and bring a
smile,” Krakoff said. “I admired his
amazing energy, his extreme opti-
mism and his absolute zest for life.”
Herb is survived by his cherished
children, Dr. Joseph “Bud” ( Judith)
Kaufman, and Ilene (David) Techner;
adoring grandchildren, Josh Kaufman
and Nicole Israel, Carly and Rob
Vollero, Jenna Kaufman Behrer
and Jason Behrer, Ari and Ashley
Techner, Chad and Whitney Techner,
Stephanie and Zachary Techner,
Andrea Dube; great-grandchildren,
Milo and Dahlia Techner, William,
Louisa and Max Kaufman, Lila
and Brady Vollero, Eli and Miriam
Techner, and Stella Joy Techner; dear
“ladyfriend” and loving companion,
Carol Winkelman.
He was the beloved husband of
the late Babs Kaufman; loving father
of the late Patricia Lynn Kaufman-
Dube; grandfather of the late Alicia
Joy Techner; great-grandfather of the
late Rose Bailey Techner; devoted
son of the late Ira Kaufman, the late
Florence Kaufman and the late Rose
Grace Kaufman; loving son-in-law
of the late Saul Kopman and the late
Ann Kopman; brother of the late
Jean and the late Gerald Sucher, the
late Charlotte and the late Nathan
Feldman.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy
Network, the Babs and Herb Kaufman
Memorial Fund, 6555 W. Maple
Road, West Bloomfield MI 48322,
(248) 592-2687, www.jewishhospice.
org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel. •
NATHAN FLAISHER,
92, of Huntington
Woods, died April 10,
2018.
A World War II Navy
veteran, Mr. Flaisher
owned International
Ice Cream Vending
Flaisher
Company from 1949-
1984.
He is survived by his
sons and daughter-in-
law, David Flaisher of West Bloomfield,
Lesly and Cheryl Flaisher of Huntington
Woods, Harvey Flaisher of Fairfax,
Va.; grandchildren, Charlie Flaisher,
Sam and Sofiya Segal, Jake Segal, Ben
Flaisher, Amy Flaisher; great-grandchil-
dren, Becky Flaisher, Grant Flaisher;
son-in-law, David Segal; brother-in-law,
Mal Ross.
Mr. Flaisher was the beloved husband
of the late Rebecca Flaisher; loving
father of the late Carolyn Segal; dear
brother of the late Ben Flaisher, the late
Sam Flaisher, the late Nettie Ross, the
late Florence Flaisher.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one’s choice. Interment
was held at Hebrew Memorial Park.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.
FRED HOWARD, 89, of
Sarasota, Fla., and West
Bloomfield, died April
10, 2018.
He is survived by his
children, Judge Barry
and Cindy Howard,
Dale and Kristen
Howard
Howard, Connie and
Hal Schwartz; his
grandchildren, Brian
and Rebecca Howard,
David and Alexis Howard, Chad and
Martine Howard, Scott and Summer
Howard, Blair Schwartz and Lindsey
Schwartz; his great-grandchildren,
Zachary, Sloane, Livia, Vaughn, Opal,
Oscar, London and Harper Howard. He
is also survived by Ranny Howard.
Mr. Howard was the beloved husband
of the late Lois Ruth Howard, to whom
he was married for more than 66 years.
He was the son of the late Amalia and
the late Leo Horowitz; brother of the
late Jack (Tova) Horowitz; son-in-law of
the late Betty and the late Ben Lewis.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake
Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, www.
temple-israel.org; or Michigan Animal
Rescue League, 790 Featherstone,
Pontiac, MI 48342, or go online to
michigananimalrescueleague.org.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.