Kurt Simon

Sept. 22, 1913 - Jan. 8, 2013
SOUTH BEND - Kurt Simon, 99, passed away peacefully in his home January 8, 2013. Kurt was born September 22, 1913, in Enkirch, Germany, to the late Gottfried and Johanna (Herrmann) Simon. In 1930, at the age of 16, he made the difficult decision to leave a near war-struck Germany to start a future in the United States. He arrived in South Bend on a Friday afternoon, registered for classes at Central High School on Saturday, and started school Monday morning. He graduated from Central in 1931 and then became the first Jewish student to enroll at the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated in 1935 with a Bachelor's of Science in Commerce. He was the director of sales at Simon Brothers, and then became president and chairman of the board. Under his leadership, Simon Brothers became one of the largest wholesale foods and industrial supplies distributors in the area. During WW II Kurt worked at the Bendix Corporation in the packing and shipping department, helping the war effort. Kurt kept an eye on his family overseas, and as conditions became worse for German Jews, Kurt urged his parents to leave Germany. It took him nearly two years to convince them to come to America. On July 4, 1937, his parents, his sister and a blind uncle arrived in South Bend, Indiana. Kurt provided a home for them all. On March 12, 1942, Kurt married Tessye Dounn. They were married for 59 years before her passing in 2001. They had one son, Robert, who passed away in 1990. Kurt is survived by his companion, Mary Lou Gordon. She was his loyal partner and caregiver for over 10 years. Together they enjoyed family, the community, faith and traveled to the home of Kurt's birth in Enkirch, Germany, where they visited Kurt's family home. Also surviving are nieces, Carol (David) Cohen, Marge (Harold) Steinberg, and Gertrude "Shish" Rubin; and grandnieces and grandnephews, Jeffery (Aime) Cohen, Michael (Leah) Cohen, Eric Steinberg, Jennifer (Grant) Conroy, Terry Rubin, Wendy (Rob) Johnson, Laurie Rubin (Nick Carlos), and David (Carol) Rubin. Surviving cousins include Charles "Chuck" (Linda) Simon, Lucy Simon Rakov, and second cousins, Susan (Vince) Semosen, Victoria "Vicky" (Kathy Sennell) Rakov, Simon (Suzanne) Rakov, Ellyn Ray (Mark) McCaffry, and Karyn Jaye (Shane) Galloway. Kurt also has many great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews who mourn his passing. He is also mourned by many loving members of the Gordon family and the entire Jewish community. As a tireless community leader, humanitarian and philanthropist, Kurt leaves a legacy with his gifts, stories, humor, and his great desire to help as many people as he could - often identifying the need on his own, not needing to be asked. He and Tessye's personal commitment and philanthropic contributions have been a beacon of light in the Jewish Community, as well as South Bend as a whole. During his lifetime, Kurt and Tessye established numerous initiatives in the community including: In 1998, Kurt and Tessye's leadership and vision inspired them to make the long-held dream of the entire Jewish community a reality by enabling the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley to begin construction of the Kurt and Tessye Simon Community Building on the Jewish Federation campus. This center for the Jewish community remained a source of pride and inspiration for Kurt during the last decade of his life as it has flourished into a place where Jews and non-Jews come together to learn, celebrate, and grow. The Kurt and Tessye Simon Education Center, Temple Beth-El, built in 1993, provided a large and modern classroom space for Temple's educational programs. This gift provides a warm and nurturing environment for everyone who walks through Temple's doors and is a part of providing Temple's children a place to develop a love and enthusiasm for Judaism. The Kurt and Tessye Simon Fund for Holocaust Remembrance at Temple Beth-El in the hope that people can learn to protect one another from prejudice, hate and violence. The Kurt and Tessye Simon Foundation was established in 1975 to strengthen the ties between the Jewish population and the greater Michiana Community, by sponsoring an Annual Institute on Judaism for area clergy and educators at Temple Beth-El. In addition, the Foundation underwrites all Adult education programs at the Temple and often provides grants for educational programs broadcast on public radio and television. The Robert Simon Leadership Development Award was established at the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley in 1990, in memory of Kurt and Tessye's beloved son Robert, and a similar fund at Temple Beth-El was designed to develop future leaders in the Temple community. Well-known for their strong interest in Jewish Studies, particularly studies that relate to the Holocaust, Kurt and Tessye created the Kurt and Tessye Simon Endowment for Excellence in Jewish Studies at Notre Dame University which has supported a number of Jewish Studies initiatives for the Notre Dame community including Holocaust related projects on campus. In the South Bend community, Kurt served on numerous boards, including at the age of 95, serving on the Foundation Board Memorial Hospital. Kurt was one of the original visionaries, champions, and first contributors for the new home for the Memorial Children's Hospital. Both he and Mary Lou were loyal supporters of the local Ronald McDonald Family Room. Kurt was a longtime, generous supporter of WNIT; his contributions made many programs available to the Michiana community. WNIT produced a documentary on his life this past fall, 2012 and it will be aired again this weekend in his memory. His other passions and contributions to the community include the Indiana University Foundation, the Scholarship Foundation of Saint Joseph County, the Boys and Girls Club of Saint Joseph County and Hospice of Saint Joseph County. Kurt supported many international initiatives, including B'nai B'rith International. One of his passions close to his heart was the Kurt and Tessye Simon Fund for Temple Beth-El Seniors to live with dignity. Kurt also was a strong supporter of the arts, symphony, and healthcare throughout the community. He lived by the motto, "Do your giving while you're living." May his memory be a blessing and his actions an example to us all. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 11, at 11:00 AM at Temple Beth-El, 305 West Madison Street, South Bend, IN 46601. Burial will be at Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery, Mishawaka, IN. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Temple Beth-El, The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, or Memorial Health Foundation. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.McGannHay.com.