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George Kapp Obituary

To: Edna, Lucy, Philip, Evalina and their children;
Ira, June, Ray and Rosalie:

There are simply no words to describe the hole in our universe, that has just been created with George's death.

I feel honored that he considered me a friend and grateful for his succor during the times of my need. And he was almost as fond of Irene's and my chidren as he was of all of you, and they join me in our wish to mourn and support you now in any way that we can.

Hopefully, there will be a time when we can sit together and exchange warm, humorous and occasionally a cantankerous story about this amazing man

Herb Freeman

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Oct. 23 to Oct. 24, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for George Kapp

25 Entries

Jonathan Cohn

March 7, 2007

I’m writing to express gratitude to George Kapp for the encouragement, support and kindness he extended to me during my time as a Madison student in the late 60’s. His impact on me was profound, lasting & deeply appreciated.

Henry Foner

February 27, 2007

It took Herb Freeman's advisory note to make me realize that I had not, at this late date, expressed the importance of George in my life. I know I have a lot of company in this respect, but to each of us, our own experiences and feelings tower over all others. The things I will miss about George start first thing in the morning, when the phone would ring and his voice would utter the words for which he became famous -- at least to me: "Hello, did I wake you?"
From then on, it was all uphill (I assume that that's the opposite of downhill). I could never cease being amazed at how the concerns and problems of friends became his concerns and problems. I think his next most common phrase, after "Did I wake you?" was "Is there anything I can do to help?" I am so tempted to say, "Yes -- please come back and I promise I will never again chastise you for repeating a joke." On reflection, I have to confess that I have little reason to complain -- I had more than 50 years of exposure to his sunlit disposition, his ready wit, and, above all, the way he made each of us feel that we were more important to him than life itself. For my late wife, Lorraine, and myself, the time spent with George and Doris was an unalloyed blessing. One final memory: I had the good fortune not too long ago to attend a talk he gave to the people at the Prospect Park retirees residence and I looked around and saw everyone hanging on to his every last word. Who knew then that it very nearly was? We are all fortunate to have been around when he passed our way. I keep thinking of the Carl Sandburg tale about the visitor asking the farm resident, "Have you lived here all your life?" and getting the response, "Not yet." Well, like so many others, I lived a lifetime of friendship and love through knowing George.
Henry Foner

Frank Bialostozky

February 26, 2007

During the politically turbulent late 1960's, Mr. Kapp was a model of dedication and decency who strove to have his students reach their maximum potential. I'm not sure that most of us fully realized at the time how fortunate we were to have him as a mentor.

Steven Gewirtz

February 14, 2007

Mr. Kapp taught me so much. He influenced many decisions in my life. His love for Chemistry instilled my fondness for this science. But years later, my love took shape and I am a pharmacist. He showed me that there was more to class than desks and chairs and touched my soul. I have one favorite picture that I will always treasure because it is so typical of this great man. I will miss him deeply.

Arty Serotoff

December 2, 2006

George was a special man, a "mench", who I admire, respect and love. He will always be with me as a symbol of courage and high principles as well as a person who constantly found ways to share his knowledge and experience.

Two things remain vivid for me. The first is an example of George's courage and stand on principle. This was during the New York Teacher's strike in 1967 (Maybe 1968?). George saw that the strike ultimately was against the community and teachers' natural constituents, the parents and children. He saw the strike as racist and crossed the picket line to go into work. He endured ridicule and ostracism. Many colleagues never talked to him again. Still, he held true to his convictions and is a hero to me.

The second is very mundane but stays with me because it is so-o-o-o-o-o George. We were at an Italian restaurant and George finished his meal. He asked for espresso with a lump of sugar and Anisette. He explained to me that when he was in Italy (maybe during the war or just on one of his trips) he saw that this was the way many Italians traditionaly finished their meal. He encouraged me to try it. To this day, I finish an Italian meal with espresso and Anisette and say, "Salud" to George.

Ken Elstein

November 26, 2006

George Kapp was both literally and figuratively a teacher, even after formally retiring from the profession. As president of the Flatbush-Midwood Committee to Stop Nuclear Arms Production, he taught hundreds of youngsters in area high schools the danger of nuclear bombs. In addition, he stressed that after nuclear weapons, the second greatest danger to humanity is nuclear waste, which will remain a problem for a thousand human lifetimes. George also was a teacher who served as a mentor to many of us who knew him, always patient and always available. He will continue to live on in so many of us.

Joanne Bernstein

November 9, 2006

George Kapp was my husband Michael Bernstein's model, mentor, and ideal. They first met when George was Michael's teacher at Madison, and under his guidance, Michael became a high school teacher of physics. We would both appreciate learning about the memorial planned for George, so we can attend and share our thoughts with others who feel the same.
Sincerely,
Joanne E. Bernstein

Rebecca Coven

November 8, 2006

A true friend
An exceptional human being
He touched our lives
We will always miss him

The 2 Rebeccas

Coven and Friednan New York and Danbury

Amy Freeman

November 1, 2006

Edna, Lucy and Phillip,

George has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. He and Doris were a part of my family and I miss them, I have such vivid memories of time spent with them, you and your house. Just a few things that come to mind are brownies, Spangle, the backyard and the fun that Edna and I had when Lucy finally vacated the attic.

George’s passing has created a vacuum for me. I no longer have a person that has the answer to all of my questions. Perhaps one from the next generation will step up to fill that void. Love Amy

Ruth Ost

November 1, 2006

My sincere condolences on the loss of a wonderful man. He will be missed.

Joshua Freeman

November 1, 2006

It is extremely difficult to describe how important George was to me as a family friend, role model, teacher, and ultimately, I hope friend; and it is hard to do anything but agree with all that my sister has said about him, and about Doris, and about their role in our lives. He was also my teacher at Madison, and in that relationship I had yet one more nurturing and positive relationship. I feel very fortunate to have known George my whole life, and learned from him. I will miss him very much, and hope that I will continue to remember his teaching and stay true to his ideals. Although it is not nearly enough, thank you, George.

Lillian Alpert

October 30, 2006

I miss George - his wit, his charm
his wisdom - but most of all, I
will miss his friendship. George
tried so very hard to make this a
world of beauty and peace.
Lillian Alpert - New York

Mark Trozzi

October 28, 2006

I have wonderful, fond memories of "Mr. Kapp," my favorite high school science teacher. He was special because it was clear that he cared about each and every student and spent many hours outside of the school day mentoring us along. I remember the time he spent helping me fill out an application, assisting me to craft the words that would get me selected from the crowd. For the many of us that were fortunate enough to know George Kapp, there is the realization that the current and future generations of JMHS students will not have that wonderful, educational experience.
It has been 45 years since my JMHS graduation and I still look back with a special fondness, knowing that I was a student of George Kapp.

Marie Reilly

October 25, 2006

Philip, Lucy, Edna -- no matter how old we grow, we are still young enough to be orphaned -- I am so sorry for your loss of a strong, dear, father who made a difference in the world -- Marie Reilly

Helen and Saul Sopdrin

October 25, 2006

To Lucie, Edna and Philip:
We remember your Dad when we were in high school and he was the lab technician. We admired and respected him ever since. We will miss him.

Becky Freeman

October 25, 2006

I can barely think of where to begin, how to find the words to describe how much George and Doris meant to me, how they were a part of my whole life. Indeed, they were best friends of my folks before I was even an idea, they were my second parents, Phil, Lucy and Edna were my "other" childhood siblings. The memories of George and Doris in my childhood come to me easily, but that they also remained close into my adulthood, became friends with and adored by my husband Bill, chose Tucson as a place to visit to spend time with us, represents the enduring love they had for me, and I for them. George is my inspiration for a life well lived, his boundless energy and enthusiasm for experiences, adventures, new people and places, his generosity and warmth. He taught me about studying the language of whatever place you were going to go, that it is OK to spend 3 whole weeks "just" in Florence, that you should be willing to try ANY edible food from any culture (OK, I still won't do that), that if you open your home and heart to guests from around the world, you will learn and grow and make friends everywhere. For George, it seemed that there was never "too much", and though I am sure even he had his limits, they were not known by me. I treasure the place George and Doris have in my life, for in me, and in all of us, they live on. But I cannot express how much I miss being able to see them, talk to them, know that they are still there, traveling the globe, still exploring and growing. To all of you, family and friends, I send my deepest love, Becky

Rolando Castellanos y familia

October 25, 2006

Querida Lucy, sentimos mucho la muerte de tu padre. El debe haber sido tan dulce, cariñoso y amable como tú lo eres. Nuetro más profundo sentido de pésame y que Dios te acompañe en estos momentos de aflicción. Los Castellanos

Sava & Edna Jacobson

October 24, 2006

The beautiful things George represented - dear friend, superb instructor, wonderful companion, - will always remain with us as a cherished memory.

Edna and Sava Jacobson

Douglas and Barbara Taylor

October 24, 2006

Dear Lucy and
family . . .
We are saddened to hear of your great loss. We remember such pleasant visits with both your Mom and Dad, and you and your family, when they visited you here in St. Paul. It is our hope that such memories of the good times you shared will bring you comfort.

Sincerely,

Douglas and Barbara Taylor

Martha Castellanos

October 24, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Janette Lever

October 24, 2006

I'm sorry to learn of the passing of this wonderfully gregarious and always fun to be with gentle man whom I first met when, with Doris, he went to the Metropolitan Art Museum to have lunch with two strangers from Mexico City (friends of cousin Susannah Glusker), and charmed both my granddaughter and me with his nonstop and sparkling commentary and observations on life, politics, etc. My last, and fond, memory of him is of dinner at a Cuban restaurant in Minneapolis, with daughter Lucy, where he continued to hold forth, in his energetic and inimitable fashion, on the important issues of the day.

Gloria Ferguson

October 24, 2006

With sympathy at the passing of your father. It's clear that he not only raised a great family but touched many other lives as well.

Herbert Freeman

October 23, 2006

Herb Freeman

Ellen Grove Fuchs

October 23, 2006

Countless Madison HS alumni will miss their wonderful teacher and mentor.

Kapp Family

October 23, 2006

KAPP--George, 90. Passed away on October 21st. Beloved husband of Doris. Devoted father, grandfather,great-father, brother, and companion, of Philip, Lucy, Edna, and Evelina, David, Janine, Mara, Danny, Tida, Taisen, Tommy, Artie, Ira, June, Natalie, Ray, and Rosalie. A lifelong science teacher in the NYC school system (Madison High School). His dedication to education, peace, truth and justice was legendary. He served as mentor to many and will be greatly missed by all. A memorial service will be held at a future date to be posted in the Sunday NYTimes.

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