Beloved son, father, grandfather and great -grandfather, Carl Puritz, 92, of Prairie Village, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Nov. 6.
Carl was born July 16, 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression, the only child of Harry and Bessie Puritz. The family had migrated from Europe in the late ‘20s and then resettled from New York City to Kansas City, where Carl was born. The family resided in Kansas City during Carl’s formative years.
Upon acceptance to the famed Wharton School of Finance, Carl was ready to head east, but a change of heart and desire to be close to home led him to the University of Missouri, in Columbia, Missouri. Carl excelled academically and socially while earning his business degree. He joined the AEPi fraternity and eventually served as its president. Carl made lifelong friends within that fraternal brotherhood and carried his love for all things Mizzou to his dying day.
While attending Mizzou, Carl continued his relationship with his high school sweetheart, Joanie Vigder, and they married in 1954. Their 37-year union produced four children: Harriet, Shelly, Michael and Keith. Carl was a devoted family man and relished in the successes of his children. Carl championed his children always and was proud of the adults they grew up to become.
Carl was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and was a commissioned officer serving in Topeka, Kansas, during the Korean conflict.
In 1955, Carl joined the family business, Brand and Puritz. The business began in 1928 and became a nationally recognized manufacturer of ladies’ coats and suits. Carl was an integral part of its success. His business acumen and salesmanship allowed the company to grow and thrive for almost 60 years.
In addition to his involvement with the company that bore his name, Carl was equally committed to his faith, Jewish education and making sure that future generations are exposed to all the traditions that make Judaism sacred.
Carl was a founding parent, along with his first wife, Joanie, of Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in 1966. As anyone who has ever encountered Carl would recognize, HBHA was the crowning achievement of his life, other than his family and treasured friends. Carl devoted thousands of hours fundraising for HBHA with great success. He touched hundreds of lives in this capacity and strove to be an engine that kept the school energized year after year. In 2003, Carl was awarded the HBHA Civic Service Award for all of his contributions to the school.
Upon the closing of Brand and Puritz in the late ‘80s, Carl changed paths and began a second career opening up his own insurance company, Carl Puritz Insurance Group. It was during this period that Carl met and then later married his second wife. Susan. Together, they helped raise three children: Mark, Katie and Robin. Carl’s kind and nurturing demeanor helped blend his expanding family together. Susan and Carl were married until her untimely death in 2007.
Later in life, Carl married Cynthia Ellis, and they spent 12 years together.
Family and business pursuits were always a highlight for Carl during his long life. He also enjoyed tennis, golf and cheering on the Chiefs and his beloved Royals. He was an avid KC Royals watcher. He shared that love of these things with his children and eventually grandchildren.
Congregation Beth Shalom also was an integral part of Carl’s life. The synagogue served as a safe and spiritually fulfilling place for Carl. He was a lifelong Beth Shalom member and had his bar mitzvah at its old 34th street location with his beloved cousin Marcus. He developed lifelong friendships with many congregants and was a pillar in the Beth Shalom community.
Carl will be remembered for his impact on the entire Kansas City and Jewish communities, the Beth Shalom community and his beloved HBHA community. He greeted you with a hug and a megawatt smile, and you were hooked. May his memory forever be a cherished one for all who knew and loved him.
Carl is survived by his children, Harriet (Larry) Almaleh, Shelly (Stu) Hirsh, Michael (Andrea) Puritz, Keith (Reba) Puritz, Mark Fortin, Katie (Jeremy) Van Ommeren and Robin (Steve) Cline; grandchildren, Ryan (Rachel), Katie, Lindsay, Jeff, Jenna, Lexi, Connor, Emme, Luke, Chloe and Gigi; and great-granddaughter, Jordyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City or a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 9 at The Louis Memorial Chapel, followed by burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.