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Theodore Kheel Obituary
Family spokesman Edward Nebb confirmed Monday that Kheel died Friday in Manhattan. He had been hospitalized for an infection.
Kheel, a New York City native with a law degree from Cornell University, helped end New York City newspaper, subway and teachers' strikes. At the behest of President Lyndon B. Johnson, he took part in labor negotiations on the national level in the 1960s, involving groups like longshoremen and railroad workers.
Kheel got his start in labor relations at the National Labor Relations Board in Washington. After World War II, he moved back to New York City, where he worked an attorney and in the city's Labor Relations Division.
In the 1960s, Kheel was involved in several high-profile labor negotiations in the city. They included a 19 62-63 strike that affected seven newspapers and involved 10 unions, a 12-day transit strike in 1966, and a 35-day strike by city teachers in 1968.
Born in Brooklyn, Kheel graduated from high school in the Bronx before attending Cornell, first as an undergraduate and then a law student.
He married Ann Sunstein, a fellow Cornell student, and the couple had five daughters and a son. His wife died in 2003.
Kheel also had a long-standing interest in social issues. He was president of the National Urban League for four years and was part of the Gandhi Foundation, which helped support the efforts of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He was also concerned about the environment, founding the Nurture Nature Foundation.
Along with his children, Kheel is survived by 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A private funeral was held over the weekend, and a memorial is planned.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
15 Entries
Jessica Burstein
December 26, 2010
Ted Kheel was a name that resonated throughout my childhood. My father, Herbert Burstein, who, as a lawyer representing management in, amongst others, the restaurant and transportation industries, had, for many years, close business dealings with Mr. Kheel. They soon became friends and I know that my father had enormous respect for him. This was no small feat, since, like Mr. Kheel, my father was truly a genius and a force to be reckoned with.
I am sad to learn of Mr. Kheel's death and my condolences to his family. It some strange way, I take it as a personal loss, since Mr. Kheel was one of the last links to my childhood.
Dan Kahn
November 26, 2010
My name is Dan Kahn and for 29 years I was involved in labor relations for the Postal Service. Mr. Kheel was my inspiration in seeking a graduate education in Industrial Relations. In 1999 I was asked to join the U.S. Postal Service's REDRESS team which was composed of only 15 or so people tasked with ending the problem of Postal employees "Going Postal." No small task for an organization with over 800,000 employees and, at the time, the largest civilian organization in the world. Over 3 years we took Postal management and unions, kicking and screaming, into what would become the largest mediation program in the U.S. and, maybe, the world. The result is that since implementation there has been only one incident of a postal employee "going postal." Prior we had horrible incidents, if not yearly, almost yearly (the worst being 15 dead in OK). I thought you would like to know that Mr. Kheel's influence went beyond the bargaining, mediation or arbitration tables. Please accept my deepest condolences. Sincerely, Dan Kahn
November 21, 2010
Hi: To the family of Mr. KHEEL: My thoughts goes out to the family at this difficult time: Let GOD help this family find peace through the bible scripture: Eccl. 9:5.
Ms. Perkins.
November 19, 2010
To the Kheel family,
We are sorry for the loss of your loved one. May the comforting words from family and friends continue to strengthen you, and the fond memories of your loved one continue to provide comfort to you.
May you also find a measure of comfort and peace in God's promises found in the last book of the Holy Scriptures: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." 2 Peter 3:13; 1 Cor. 15:24-26
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Victoria Moritz
November 19, 2010
To the Kheel Family,
My name is Victoria Moritz, and I am the daughter of Dolores Missick Moritz who worked for Ted many years ago. Please allow me to send my condolences and express my sadness at the passing of this wonderful man. Throughout my upbringing, my mother often spoke of Mr. Kheel with admiration and great respect. She also treasured their friendship and common feelings on issues. "Uncle Ted", as I called him, was a special man, and please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
With My Warmest Regards,
Victoria Moritz
Hugo Hernandez
November 19, 2010
You give me the chance to know you, to learn about your life and work. I gave you the best of my service,my respect and affection. Your life was long and productive. You did more than many others and you deserve to rest in peace. Bye my friend.
Stephanie Zollner
November 18, 2010
Thinking of you all at this time of your loss.
Shirley Gooch
November 17, 2010
To the Kheel family
I am so sorry for your lost. May you be comforted by the God of all
comfort who gives comfort to the mourning ones. Isaiah 61:2 b.
Louann Schaetzle
November 16, 2010
Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ted. We had the pleasure of living at the beautiful paradise he helped create in Punta Cana.The Schaetzle Family
Jennifer Neeman
November 16, 2010
What a great man who led a great life! I remember often reading Mr. Kheel's name in the newspapers in the 1960's. He was involved with so many great issues and causes. May the family find comfort in knowing that their father, grandfather, great-grandfather, was an amazing person.
Fannie
November 16, 2010
I am sorry for your loss. The loss of those that have been in our lives for a long time is very difficult to bear. May the God of tender mercies who strengthens us in our trials and hardships sustain you at this most difficult time.
2 Cor 1:3,4
R Golay
November 15, 2010
To the the family of Theodore Kheel - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Ted will be missed by many.
Nicholas Arena
November 15, 2010
Sincere condolences to the family of a
great lawyer.
Nicholas A. F. Arena, Esq.
Terry Tempest Williams
November 15, 2010
I want to honor Ted Kheel's life as well as his passing. He was a champion for "Nurture the Nature of New York." I appreciated his desire to protect wildness, especially in Manhattan. Whether it was the "Gates of Christo" or the Birds of Punta Cana, with David Rosane, his passion fueled many important and creative projects. To his family, especially his nephew with whom I met, my sincere respect and condolences.
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