Peacefully, Harold Klopper died on Saturday morning, May 27, 2023, his wife Natalie and sister-in-law Phyllis Snitz at his side in the nursing home where he had lived the past two years.
Natalie campaigned daily to honor his dignity, a dignity that Harold had engendered for himself, his family, and his community through the previous decades. He was 96 years old.
Harold David Klopper was born in Kansas City on Sept. 12, 1926. After graduation from Central High School, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during wartime in Japan. On his return to Kansas City, he worked as a watchmaker and tailor, and he sold real estate for Price Brothers before opening Klopper Realty Company in 1957, the same year he married Natalie Spector.
Over the following decades, Harold and his team purchased, refurbished, and sold homes. He was instrumental in providing shelter to people, many with no credit, in inner-city neighborhoods. His work contributed to countering racial tension in Kansas City. He was a life member of the NAACP.
After his mother moved into Shalom Plaza and he learned of their budget shortages, Harold created Friends of Shalom Plaza, raising much-needed funding to benefit resident services of the retirement community. This was Harold’s approach: Think Family, Act Locally.
He was passionate about horse racing; he owned several thoroughbreds over the years. He loved to travel. Harold and Natalie met David Ben Gurion at Sde Boker, Israel, and they met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
He also loved poker, bridge, tennis and fishing. He was a proud member of the ROMEOs. Creativity and humor flowed through him. Harold co-wrote and performed in “Breakfast at Bubeh’s” and a Yiddish version of “Little Red Riding Hood.” He was an expert shelf builder and was forever developing new ways to separate paper clips from rubber bands from pens and pencils in the desk drawer.
He is preceded in death by his father, Manuel; his mother, Leah; his brother, Jerry and sister-in-law, Susan; and his brother-in-law, Hal Snitz. Of those who will miss the gleam in his eye and the rainbow in his heart, none will miss him more than his wife, Natalie; his daughter, Audrey (McLouth, Kansas); his son, Hal (Brooklyn, New York); and his four grandsons, Mountain, Journey, Lichen, and Max.
The family’s appreciation extends warmly and gratefully to the beautiful, unsung heroes of Brookdale Memory Care for the compassion, love, and care they gave to Harold.
Graveside services were held on May 30, 2023, at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, 5529 Ditzler, Raytown, MO.
Donations may be made in Harold’s memory to Children’s Mercy Hospital or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel.com.
