Newburgh Free Academy Memorial
Newburgh Free Academy Memorial

Post a reply || Back to Message Board


Harold L. Kahn - Class of 1957

Delete this post Submitted by Pauline Rute Hall 1952 <Grammypgh@aol.com> on 10/May/2017
96.248.52.220

    Harold "Hal" L. Kahn entered into rest on May 10, 2017. Born on March 19, 1939 in Paterson, New Jersey to Joseph and Gertrude Kahn, his family relocated to Newburgh in 1945 where he remained a lifelong resident and active member of the community. He married Barbara Moses in 1961 with whom he shared 56 happy years of marriage. After graduating Newburgh Free Academy in 1957, he attended the University of Buffalo where he studied Business Administration. Hal served in the military as a Staff Sergeant for the 854th Battalion of the U.S. Army and later as a combat engineer for the National Guard. Hal began his professional career forming Barcon Construction and found his calling in land use, design and development. He broke ground on his first development in the Town of Newburgh, aptly named “Barbara Court” after his wife. Hal would go on to establish and operate one of the first and largest real estate conglomerates in the area, its many successes based upon his character, reputation and work ethic. In 1967 he founded Kahn Inc. Realtors, a single office on 388 Broadway above Seaman’s drug store. From the beginning, he was determined to create a different approach to traditional real estate brokerage offering a professional difference to consumers in the marketplace. He was awarded for his creativity in radio advertisements for Kahn Realtors featuring the “White Knight.” By 1974 Kahn’s notable successes were recognized by the New York State Association of Realtors who awarded him Realtor of the Year. Hal’s diversification process began in 1975 with the establishment of Appraisal Services Company and grew incrementally. In 1976 he established Kahn Institute of Real Estate offering a course of study grounded in a service oriented approach to real estate based upon a strict code of ethics. Thereafter, he established Kahn Agents, Inc. – a licensed insurance brokerage company; Kahn Properties, Inc. and Kahn-Miron – land development and new home sales companies; Kahn Relocation Services, Inc.; and in 1982 Vantage Funding, which would later become Financial Access Corporation – a mortgage company he operated with his son, Daniel. In 1985, in a difficult economic market, he undertook the challenge to develop a $22 million dollar 18th century Williamsburg style corporate office park which would go on to receive the New Commercial Architectural Award for Orange County in 1987 for design and development. Stony Brook Office Park underwent further expansion in 1988 with the development of Stony Brook Village incorporating 159 townhomes receiving in 1990 the Architectural Award from Orange County Board of Realtors. Stony Brook also received accolades from the Newburgh Preservation Association. In 1988, Kahn Inc. Realtors was awarded the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service Best of Show honoring outstanding marketing in the field. Growth was rapid and by 1989, Kahn Inc. Realtors had seven offices serving Orange, Dutchess and Ulster counties providing residential and commercial services. Hal received certification as a Residential Specialist (CRS), Brokerage Manager (CRB) and Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI) and went on to serve as Education Chairman of the New York State Association of Realtors, Dean of the Realtors Institute of the New York State Association, Chairman of the National Association of Realtors Instructor Development Committee and Liability Task Force, and Chairman of the Certified Real Estate Broker Council of the National Association of Realtors. In 1989 he was elected as Financial Vice President of the Realtors National Marketing Institute/National Association of Realtors and in 1991 as President. In 1992 he was inducted into Omega Tau Rho, an honorary fraternity of the National Association of Realtors whose membership is representative of the highest level of recognition for contributions in the field. Hal was also the recipient of the RNMI Eagle award, the highest award given for teaching excellence. He was the fourth recipient in history to receive such recognition. In addition to his contributions to many committees, he served as a member of the RNMI Board of Directors, Board of Governors and Chairman of the Faculty Committee. He was a published author and nationally recognized speaker in real estate brokerage, management, marketing, residential sales and commercial investment. Hal’s commitment to his local community was always ever present. His civic involvement included appointment to the SUNY Albany Advisory Board for the Development Center for Business, Director of the East Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Stewart Airport Development Commission, Board Member of Temple Beth Jacob, President of the Newburgh Chamber of Commerce and Membership Chairman of the JayCees, among others. He served as Trustee of St. Luke’s Hospital for over 27 years and as a member of their Executive Committee. In 2010 he was honored by St. Luke’s Hospital as one of “The Big 5” Hospital Board Trustees for his commitment and years of service. His lifelong charitable contributions to the community, including St. Luke’s Hospital, Salvation Army, and McQuade Children’s Services, were notable. As part of his commitment to the community, he was instrumental as one of the founding organizers of Empire State Bank, established in 2004. He served as a member of the Boards of both Empire State Bank and ES Bancshares, the holding company for Empire State Bank, until his retirement in 2012 at which time he was appointed Director Emeritus. Hal’s passion for life was large. He was an avid skier, snow mobiler, licensed pilot of his own private airplane, motor cross enthusiast, runner, golfer and sports car racer. During his later years he founded DK Racing with his son, Daniel, where he competed in the New England and North Atlantic Road Racing Championships earning victories at Pocono Raceway, Watkins Glen, New Hampshire International Speedway and Lime Rock Park, where he raced with his buddy, actor Paul Newman. He was "the wind beneath our wings" and exemplified the following quote, “Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures” – Horace Greeley. Hal leaves behind his loving wife and partner of 56 years, Bobbi; his beloved three children, Wendy Beth Kahn of North Andover, MA, Deborah Susan Hoey and her husband, David, of North Reading, MA and Daniel Steven Kahn of Hauppaugue, NY; his seven cherished grandchildren, Kayla Jordan Hoey, Emma Paige Hoey, Gregory Harrison Raso, Benson Gage Raso, Madison Gabrielle Kahn, Chloe Elizabeth Kahn and Sophie Morgan Kahn; and his nephews, William "Billy" Kahn and David Kahn. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 12,2017 at 1:00pm at Temple Beth Jacob 290 North St. Newburgh, NY 12550. Donations in Hal’s memory may be made to AFTD Radnor Station Bldg 2 Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Rd. Radnor, PA 19087 (theaftd.org) and Kaplan Family Hospice Residence 800 Stony Brook Ct. Newburgh, NY 12550 (hospiceoforange.com/make-a-gift).


Replies to this post


Reply to this post

Name:

E-mail (optional):

Subject:


Message:


NFA Class Memorial Page

This is an Interactive Memorial Page ........ Please contribute !
Please add information you have on any alumni that have passed away.... When , where, how, obituary, & pictures if possible.
I will add a class picture and any other picture you or I may have.
If any errors are made email me and I will correct.
If you still don't feel confident.. Email the info and I will post for you. w.norvell@att.net
_______________________________________________________________________________