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.