obits
Holocaust Survivor Kurt Schoen Dies at 94
K BY JARRAD SAFFREN
urt Leo Schoen was a Holocaust
survivor who didn’t call him-
self a Holocaust survivor.

He fl ed Nazi Germany in 1939 at age 11
before ever setting foot in a concentration
camp. But while Schoen avoided the worst
years of Nazi Germany, he could never
escape the experience of living under it.

Like many Holocaust survivors,
Schoen used his appreciation for life as
motivation to focus on the important
things and achieve success. He built
a family with three children. He also
became a patented food fl avor chemist at
David Michael and Co. in Philadelphia,
according to family members.

Th rough it all, he focused intensely
and daily on his kids. Aft er being sepa-
rated from his sister and father during
their respective passages to the United
States, Schoen made sure to arrive
home in time for dinner every night as
an adult. His advice to his children was
34 always to appreciate their opportuni-
ties in life.

Schoen died on Feb. 24. He was 94.

Th e Philadelphian is survived by
his children Marcia Cherry, Michael
Schoen and Karen Schoen; four grand-
children; his sister-in-law Alice Schoen
and nieces, nephews and their families.

“He had a good, long life,” said
Marcia Cherry of Dresher. “He truly
did a lot, despite the rough beginning.”
“He did everything he wanted to do,”
Karen Schoen said.

Schoen was born on Dec. 14, 1927, and
grew up in Kassel, Germany, accord-
ing to Schoen’s 2002 oral history inter-
view with the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum in Washington,
D.C. His father owned a shoe wholesale
and retail business. His family lived in
a mixed neighborhood, including non-
Jews, and attended a local synagogue.

“Everything was fi ne until 1933,” said
Schoen in the oral history interview.

Th at was the year when Hitler was
MARCH 10, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Kurt Schoen with his wife Berta Cooper Schoen
appointed chancellor of Germany and
later made himself the rule of law.

Shortly thereaft er, Schoen’s father was
forced out of his store by a boycott;
Schoen was no longer allowed to asso-
ciate with non-Jews; and the young boy
oft en had things thrown at him, both
objects and profanities, by other kids.

Schoen’s sister got to the United
States fi rst, in the late 1930s, with help
from a group of Jewish women in the
U.S., according to the oral history.

Th en his father received an affi davit,
or a pledge of fi nancial support, from
family members in New York City. By
1939, Schoen was able to escape with
the rest of his family.

In the U.S., according to the notice,
he learned English, served in the Army
and earned bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from City College of New York
and the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute,
respectively. He “proudly married
Berta Cooper Schoen” and moved to
Philadelphia to launch his career.

Cooper Schoen, an American from
Connecticut who died in 2016, bal-
anced out her direct and oft en brutally
honest husband, according to Cherry.

“If he thought you were doing some-
thing wrong, he had no problem telling
you,” she said.

Later in life, Schoen didn’t talk much
about his childhood. But at times, it
would come up.

When Cherry was in college, she
hosted a friend at the Schoen house.

Th e friend’s father was German, and
aft er he came to pick his daughter
up, Schoen told Cherry that the man
Courtesy of Karen Schoen
reminded him of the kids who used to
throw rocks at him.

Another time, Cherry’s piano teacher
gave her a song to play. But Schoen
couldn’t listen to it. It reminded him of
Germany. “It haunted him a little,” Cherry said.

But the experience also molded
Schoen into a man who pushed his
kids to work hard.

Th ey went to Hebrew school three
times a week plus Shabbat services.

Th ey had to get jobs in their teens. And
“it was assumed we would go to col-
lege,” Cherry said.

But more than anything, the kids
remember their father being there. At
5:15, he walked in from work, accord-
ing to his daughter. By 5:30, the family
was eating dinner.

Michael Schoen also remembers
driving to New York and Connecticut
to see extended family. Th ese weren’t
holiday trips, either. Th ey were just on
random weekends.

“It wasn’t typical for my friends.

Th ey’d see their families a few times a
year,” Schoen said. “For him, it really
was a priority.”
Schoen’s family also had a way of bring-
ing out his lighter side. His daughter said
he could be very funny. Michael Schoen
said he talked to his father every day; they
had the same dry sense of humor.

And aft er Cherry had her own two
children, grandpa was always available
to run them around.

“He did very well for himself. He has
an estate,” Cherry said. “But honestly,
family was always fi rst.” JE



obits
in Las Vegas every year and spending the
last three winters in Florida. Contributions
in her memory may be made to the Lewy
Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill
Road S.W., Lilburn, Georgia 30047 or www.

lbda.org or to your favorite charity.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
BERKOWITZ AMITAI
Diane F. (nee Fagan)on February 26,
2022. Beloved wife of Amiram Amitai. Lov-
ing mother of Pamela and Abby (George
Parigian). Adoring grandmother to Halle
Parigian. Sister of Ellen Zipin (Arthur), niec-
es Janet Zipin Goldenberg (Richard) and
Melissa Zipin, great nephew Joshua Gold-
enberg and many cousins. Pre-deceased
by parents Maurice Fagan and Beatrice
(Wald) Fagan. A memorial service was held
on March 3, 2022. A Celebration of Life
will be held at a later date. Contributions
in her memory can be made to Planned
Parenthood and/or Public Television.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
BARSON Barbara “Bobbie” Barson (nee Lichter), age
84, passed away peacefully at her home on
February 18, 2022. Beloved wife of the late
Joseph Stanley Barson. Devoted mother of
Lee (Paula) Barson and Eric Barson. Ador-
ing Mom-Mom of Molly, Noah and Jeremy
Barson. Proud godmother of Steven Cherry.

Loving daughter of the late Allan and Mil-
dred Haftel Lichter. Barbara was an only
child growing up in Oxford Circle with lov-
ing grandparents and many aunts, uncles
and cousins nearby. A graduate of Olney
High (class of 1955), she never missed a re-
union. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in
Elementary Education at Temple University
and dedicated her career to teaching chil-
dren in District 8 of the Philadelphia public
school system. Bobbie was very active.

She made friends easily and kept many
throughout her life. She had Camp Big Po-
cono friends, high school friends, college
friends, teaching friends, bowling friends,
Forest Acres and Dolphin Swim Club
friends, weekly dinner friends, Las Vegas
friends, Fountain Pointe Condo friends and
more. Family was Bobbie’s top priority and
greatest joy. She traveled every year with
Joe and the boys for winter vacation. After
retirement in 1999, she and Joe enjoyed
eight glorious winters in Las Vegas. Later
on she continued to spend as much time
with family as possible, never missing a
grandchild’s performance, traveling to New
York for shows, taking cruises with the kids
and grandkids, touring Israel, vacationing
Starr Berkowitz (nee Molotsky), March
3, 2022, of Cherry Hill, NJ. Loving Wife
of Bruce Berkowitz. Devoted Mother of
Michael (Erin) Bitman and Wendy (Har-
ris) Cohen. Adored Bubbie of Sam, Jack,
Ethan, Luke and Jared. Cherished Sister
of Dwight (Debbie) Molotsky. Beloved
Aunt, Cousin, and Friend to many. Born
and raised in South Philadelphia, she lived
nearly 40 years in Cherry Hill. She loved
to spend her summers on the beach in
Ventnor and Margate, NJ. Her greatest
joy was being with her friends and family
anywhere, any time. Interment Crescent
Memorial Park, Pennsauken, NJ. Contri-
butions may be made to the Lewy Body
Dementia Association (https://www.lbda.

org/donate/) and Tay-Sachs (http://www.

tay-sachs.org/donations. php)
PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS
www.plattmemorial.com of Benita Gold (Frank Schaeffer), Elizabeth
Gold (Mark Glickman), Jeremy Gold (Shiva
Gold) and the late Benjamin Gold. Adoring
grandmother of Trevor, Sebastian, Layla, Ma-
teo, Juliana, and Ava. Dear sister of the late
Joan Andrews. She is also survived by her
“brother” Peter Andrews and her numerous
nephews and nieces. Born in Buffalo, New
York, she moved to Philadelphia after mar-
rying Al Gold and raised their four children
in West Mt Airy. Later she lived in Wayne,
Maine and Sarasota, Florida. She acted both
professionally and in community theater in
Philadelphia and Maine and met her hus-
band Herb while acting in a play directed by
her son Jeremy. Rita Ann was one of a kind.

She greeted each new person she met as
if they were a book recommended by The
New York Times. She is warmly remembered
by her legions of friends and fans for her
joie d’vivre, optimism, humor, glamour and
loving heart and her signature big hats, blue
nails and red convertible. Anyone wishing
to honor Rita Ann may make a contribution
in her memory to Save the Children https://
www.savethechildren.org/ or to Inner City
Arts https://inner-cityarts.org/.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERGS’
RAFAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
GINSBURG Vivian Ginsburg (nee Kravitz), age 97,
passed away on February 28, 2022. Wife
of the late Manuel Ginsburg; father of Bar-
ry (Nancy) Ginsburg and the late Marlyn
(Steven) Lieberson; grandmother of Larry
(Caryn) Lieberson and Stacey (Chad) Blum;
also survived by 4 great-grandchildren
Asher, Joey, Austin and Drew. Contribu-
tions in her memory may be made to a
charity of the donor’s choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL SACKS
www.goldsteinsfuneral.com GOLD COUSINS
Rita Ann Gold Cousins (nee Kostick) age 94,
passed away peacefully and gracefully on
February 22, 2022 surrounded by her chil-
dren. Beloved wife of the late Albert Gold
and the late Herbert Cousins. Loving mother
(Peter) and the late Brett Kates (Shawna);
cherished grandfather of Andrew Cohen,
Sheri Zabolotsky (Andrew), Emily Steiner
(Martin), Dara Kates Segal (Ivan), Camer-
on Kates (Gabrielle); great-grandfather of
Nate, Jack, Dylan, Bryce, and Layla. In lieu
of flowers, contributions in Melvin’s mem-
ory may be made to Lions Gates CCRC
(lionsgateccrc.org/donate). JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com KOPET
Sondra R. Kopet, age 82, passed away
February 28, 2022. Loving aunt of Rhonda
Newmark- White (the late Frederick), and
greataunt of Seth Abraham (Camila). Dear
sister of the late Ida Ruth Newmark. Also
survived by many friends and her sweet
cat “Simba”. Contributions in her memory
may be made to any animal rescue or a
charity of the donor’s choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
RAFFEL Harold, February 25, 2022 of Langhorne,
Pa. Devoted husband of Constance (nee
Diamond). Beloved father of Julie Raffel
and Lawrence (Melissa) Raffel. Loving
brother of Neil (Joan) Raffel. Proud grand-
father of Max Raffel.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com GORDON
Marvin Aaron Gordon, passed away on
February 27, 2022. Beloved husband of
62 years to Marlene (nee Hendel); loving
father of Howard (Robin), Mindy (Brad)
Seiver and Amanda (Scott) Jacobson;
adoring grandfather of Erika, Ashley, Scott
(Danielle), Sammi, Maverick and Logan.

He was loved by all that knew him and will
never be forgotten. Contributions in his
memory may be made to Shriners Hospital
For Children, www.shrinerschildren.org or
to Old York Road Temple–Beth Am, Rabbi
Robert Leib’s Discretionary Fund, www.

oyrtbetham.org/donate GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
KATES Melvin Kates, February 25, 2022; of Voor-
hees NJ; formerly of Pennsylvania; be-
loved husband of the late Carole E. Kates
(nee Krow); loving father of Ellen Cohen
er in Philadelphia, PA and Delray Beach,
Florida. He was most recently a resident
of Ann’s Choice in Warminster, Pennsylva-
nia. Kurt is survived by his children Marcia
Cherry (Steven), Michael Schoen (Suzanne)
and Karen Schoen (Keith Canter), 4 grand-
children Brian Cherry (Talia), Lauren Beebie
(Kevin), and Ellie and Cooper Schoen, and
by his sister in law Alice Schoen; Kurt is also
survived by many nieces, nephews and
their families. Contributions in his memo-
ry should be made to the U.S. Holocaust
Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg
Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024-2126,
www.ushmm.org GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
SHUMAN Labron Kaiser Shuman, age 89, passed
away on February 6, 2022, of natural caus-
es. He was born and raised in Philadelphia.

He was a proud graduate of Central High
School, Haverford College and University of
Michigan Law School (Go Blue!). After many
years in private practice, he found his true
calling as a professor at Delaware County
Community College where he helped found
the school’s paralegal program. He also
spent over 20 summers teaching in Prague.

Whether in Philly or the Czech Republic, he
loved teaching and helping students suc-
ceed. Labron is survived by his truly adored
wife of 31 years, Penny (Pamela), his chil-
dren, Suzanne, David, and Melissa, and his
greatest pleasure, his seven grandchildren:
Rachel, Samuel, Daniel, Chloe, Quintin, Mi-
randa, and Madeline. He was interred at
Roosevelt Memorial Park in a private cere-
mony. Contributions in his memory may be
made to the Interfaith Council of Philadel-
phia, interfaithphiladelphia.org or the Jew-
ish Relief Agency, jewishrelief.org.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinesfuneral.com SPECTOR
SCHOEN Kurt Leo Schoen beloved husband, father
and grandfather passed away on Febru-
ary 24, 2022, he was 94. He was born in
Kassel, Germany and came to the United
States in 1939 at the age of 11 to flee the
Nazi’s. He settled with his family in New
York City, learned the English language,
served in the US Army, and obtained bach-
elor’s and Master’s degrees in Organic
Chemistry from City College of New York
and Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He be-
came an accomplished and patented food
flavor chemist and spent most of his career
building and working at David Michael and
Company in Philadelphia, PA. He proudly
married Berta Cooper Schoen and created
with her a beautiful family and life togeth-
In loving memory of Arthur L. Spector,
March 8,2020 at age 80, attorney, past
president of Kehilat Hanahar. Loving
spouse of James A. Mokry, beloved son of
the late Harvey and Rose Spector, nephew
to the late Anna Abramson.

WENGER Shirley (nee Cooper). March 2, 2022 of
Philadelphia, Pa. Devoted wife of the late
Irving. Beloved mother of Michael (Marcy)
Wenger, Rhona (Lenard) Brown and Abbe
Jo (Scott) Kessler. Also survived by six lov-
ing grandchildren and eleven great-grand-
children. Contributions in her memory may
be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or
the Jewish Federation Ukraine Fund
JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com Family owned and Operated since 1883
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