Karl Heinz Kahn

1921 - 2016

KAHN, Karl Heinz Karl H. Kahn, 94, died of natural causes at his home on February 21, 2016. Born in Baden-Baden, Germany in 1921, Karl moved to England in 1936 where he finished school. Fleeing WWII, Karl left England in 1939 to begin a new life in Dallas. That year he was instrumental in assisting his parents escape Nazi Germany. Karl was grateful to the Dallas Jewish community for helping his refugee family start over in America. Karl entered the U.S. Army in September 1942 and served as a staff sergeant for 3-1/2 years at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama. He became proficient at light arms fire but excelled in office management, where he kept the paper chaos of the regimental headquarters office under control. This formed his organizational skills that he carried into his working career. He was grateful to the Army to have his United States citizenship granted there. After returning to Dallas, Karl became a manufacturer's representative for The Gerson Company of Kansas City. He traveled extensively in north and west Texas and parts of New Mexico, expanding this large territory over the next 43 years. He looked forward to markets at the Dallas Merchandise Mart and Apparel Mart to stay in touch with his competition and customers. His contacts there became lifelong friends. He mentored many upcoming sales representatives. Karl married Renate Fulda in 1949 and they enjoyed 66 wonderful years together and raised three daughters in Dallas. Karl was devoted to his family. He and Renate made a loving home with enough commotion to make life interesting, rewarding and fulfilling. Karl loved Colorado, first visiting on his honeymoon and then taking his young family to Rocky Mountain National Park for many vacations. As his daughters grew older, he began to take them on ski vacations every year. He finally put his skis away for good at the age of 80. Karl's lust for travel took him to numerous countries and six continents for many family vacations. Photography was a hobby as well as gardening, and he was especially proud of cultivating African violets. He liked keeping up with current events, discussing them as often as possible. Karl was always welcoming and charming with old and new friends alike with his witty conversation. He entertained friends with outdoor barbecues and margaritas by the pool. He was famous among his friends for barbecuing chickens. He enjoyed joining his Thursday lunch bunch at Kuby's for over 25 years. He was a dog lover, rescuing his pets from animal shelters. A classical music enthusiast who played violin in his youth, in retirement Karl began to play music again, enjoying playing classical chamber music with Renate and friends. Although an amateur, he performed with the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra and various ensembles in the Dallas area. Karl also played the viola in quartets and quintets in his or other performer's homes. Karl and Renate were long-time subscribers to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Opera and the Dallas Chamber Music Society. Karl and Renate traveled to Colorado in the summer for many years to perform in Elderhostel music programs. They also enjoyed attending performances at the Aspen Music Festival each summer. Karl will be dearly missed and fondly remembered as a true gentleman. Karl is predeceased by his wife, Renate Fulda Kahn; his parents, Paul and Gertrud Kahn; and his oldest daughter, Doris Kahn. He is survived by daughters Trudy Kahn of Boulder, CO, and Nancy Kahn (Dennis Levin) of Glenwood Springs, CO; brother-in-law Steven Fulda, of Basking Ridge, NJ (Sandra, deceased); and nephews Gordon Fulda (Lynelle Schneeberg) of Fairfield, CT; Andrew Fulda of Clinton, NJ; and niece, Mariane Fulda Browne of Morristown, NJ; in addition to seven great-nephews and great-nieces. The family wishes to thank Karl's wonderful and compassionate caregivers: Cheryl, Johana, Antwanette, Tinesha and Yolanda. A memorial service will be held at Temple Emanu-El, 8500 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas, on Sunday, February 28 at 1 p.m. with a lunch reception to follow in the Tobian Auditorium. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Emanu-El of Dallas, Dallas Holocaust Museum or the charity of your choice.