Kenneth J. Luchs

Luchs

Kenneth J. Luchs

A native Washingtonian and a pillar of the local real estate industry, died on July 29, 2023 from complications of Parkinson's Disease with his family by his side. He was 85 years old.



Mr. Luchs was a fourth-generation Washingtonian. He was born on June 11, 1938 to a prominent local real estate family, and he spent his entire career in the industry.



His grandfather, Morton J. Luchs, founded the Shannon and Luchs real estate firm in 1906, in partnership with Herbert Shannon. Mr. Luchs' father, Frank J. Luchs, worked for the company until his untimely death at the age of 50. Kenneth Luchs began working for the firm full time in his early twenties.



At its peak, Shannon and Luchs employed nearly 3,000 real estate agents selling homes, apartment buildings, commercial real estate, insurance and had a property management division. The company's green, black and white for-sale signs were a staple of the local real estate scene. The company was sold in 1993.



Mr. Luchs was the son of Elizabeth "Dolly" Luchs and Frank J. Luchs. He grew up on Chesapeake Street NW. He was a graduate of Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where he played on the lacrosse team. He later took courses in real estate at American University. Mr. Luchs attended Ben Murch Elementary School, Alice Deal Middle School and graduated from Wilson High School in 1956. At Wilson, he proudly earned $5 per game by reporting on the school's sports teams for The Washington Post.



Mr. Luchs was the third member of his family to serve as president of the Washington Board of Realtors. In 1983, he was named Realtor of the Year by that organization. Mr. Luchs also served on the boards of Interstate Federal Savings and Loan, Crestar Bank, American University, Landon School, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the National Capital Area, Woodmont Country Club, Washington Hebrew Congregation, Capital Children's Museum and the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington. Mr. Luchs also served on the board of the National Association of Realtors.



He was an avid fan of the local professional football team and had attended their home games starting at four years old since the team played at Griffith Stadium. Mr. Luchs was also an avid tennis player. He loved sports and attended numerous summer Olympic games and Super Bowls. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He lived in Palm Beach Gardens and Bethesda, Maryland.



Mr. Luchs is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Susan; his children who he adored, son Jay of Los Angeles, CA; daughter Julie (Stephen) Smigel of New York City, NY; and was a proud grandfather of Harrison and Logan Smigel; sister Joan (Dr. Samuel) LeBauer; sister-in-law Penelope Suritz, two nieces and a nephew.



*Change of address for Funeral*



Funeral service will be Tuesday, August 1 at 11 a.m. at Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016. Interment to follow at King David Memorial Gardens, Falls Church, VA.



If you care to make a donation in honor of Kenneth J. Luchs, please send to one of the following 3 organizations:

American University Advancement office, Attn Frank J. Luchs Scholarship Fund, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016, and Montgomery & Prince Georges Hospice-1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100 Rockville, Maryland 20850.

MedStar GUH Neurology, Attn: Dr. Fernando Louis Pagan-Parkinson's Research Division, 1420 Beverly Road, Suite 300 Mclean, Virginia 22101.