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).
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).