David Kasman

David Kasman, devoted husband, father, father-in-law, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in White Plains on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Appropriately he was also born at home in Brooklyn to his late parents Oscar and Yetta Kasman. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Renee Kasman and Nina Pacent, Jeremy Kasman and Emily Fields; grandchildren and their spouses/partners: Matthew Kasman and Robin Starr, Ian Kasman and Alina Morris, Amy Kasman, Joseph Kroetsch and Kristin Uscinski, Adam Kroetsch and Elizabeth Stahl, and great-grandchildren: Noah Uscinski Kroetsch and Felix Kroetsch. David was predeceased by the love his life, Beverly Kasman (nee Weinstein) and Martin Kasman, his older brother and best friend and his wife Claire (nee Birnbaum)

David grew up in the Bronx, graduated DeWitt Clinton High School and CCNY and served in the US Army, stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He and Beverly were married by a Rabbi while he was on a two-day pass from Fort Dix prior to his shipping out. The wedding was small, private and last minute but large in love. Once in Japan, David discovered it was possible to live off base with your spouse and Beverly flew (for the first time in her life) over on Pan Am. Over 70 years later he could describe in detail how he saw her "float off the airplane into his arms." Their "honeymoon" in Japan lasted 13 months.

On their return, David began his career as a civil servant or as he would self-proclaim - a bureaucrat. For those who spoke to him after his retirement, one would think that his work was the center of his world. But to his family and friends, he was an artist, cartoonist, diarist, and storyteller, all for their benefit. The walls of his home and extended family are covered with his paintings and drawings. The love letters he wrote to Beverly were illustrated. His daughter Renee has over a thousand illustrated envelopes and letters. He hand-painted hundreds of wooden soldiers for his grandsons in their favorite colors. More than anything, his relationship with Beverly and family defined who he was. During retirement, he and Beverly did not take exotic vacations. They found their greatest joy in taking their grandchildren to intergenerational Elderhostels. They moved from the Bronx to White Plains to be close to family and assist with childcare.

Once in White Plains, Beverly and David found community in their new synagogue, Bet Am Shalom, attending Shabbat services and relishing time with friends at Kiddish. David attended weekly Talmud Study led by Rabbi Lester Bronstein until his health prevented him from continuing. David's father Oscar, a highly intelligent man, had gone to work as a tailor's apprentice at the age of 11. Oscar impressed on his sons the desire for learning and intellectual stimulation. David fulfilled this desire with study and during the daily 5 pm phone calls he received from his grandson Matthew. Now at the Brookings Institution, Mattherw and his grandfather reviewed Matt's doctoral dissertation and the research papers that followed.

During Covid and its isolation, David quoted Bette Davis often, "Getting older is not for sissies." He was determined to be independent and stay in the home he had built with Beverly. Catalina Sanchez was instrumental in helping him achieve his goal. The birth of two great-grandchildren, Felix and Noah brought him immense joy. He would begin singing when he saw their photographs.

During the last year of his life, David's family expanded to include his aide, Maka Juliashvilli. They shared a love of history, current events, and ethnic cuisine. She became family to all of us.

David's mother, Yetta was renowned for her cooking. He recalls being dispatched with packages of meals that she prepared to board the subway to deliver to those who were too ill to cook for themselves. Contributions in memory of David Kasman may be made to Meals-on-Wheels of White Plains or Bet Am Shalom Synagogue. https://www.mowwp.org/        https://betamshalom.org/

Shiva Information: Thursday 10/10 only, at Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, 295 Soundview Avenue, 7 to 9 p.m. with Minyan at 7:30.

Livestream Link: For those who wish to livestream the funeral service, please visit this link: https://vimeo.com/event/1130119