This is the official obituary of Stanley J. Bushman. A Chronicle article about his legacy and impact will be published in next week's print issue.
Stanley J. Bushman, 96, died peacefully at home on Friday, March 7, surrounded by Ann Canfield, his love of 59 years, and dear friends.
Stanley was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to William J. and Esther Bushman. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Barbara Goodman, of St. Louis, Missouri.
Stanley graduated from Westport High School, which he attended to participate in the boxing program, achieving the skills to compete in the Kansas City Golden Gloves. He later graduated from the University of Missouri.
As a young entrepreneur, he began his career by acquiring an apartment building where he served as owner, manager and maintenance man. He built on his initial success with investments in multiple properties, later forming a partnership lasting more than 60 years with close friend Charles Helzberg to invest in various types of real estate and other investment activities.
Stanley earned great respect in the Kansas City community for his business acumen, attention to detail and principled way he conducted business throughout his life. His real estate knowledge and position in the real estate community was recognized by Mayor Ilus Davis, who appointed him to the Kansas City Housing Authority, where he continued to serve under Mayor Charles Wheeler.
Stanley was a visionary in the philanthropic community, serving as president of the Jewish Community Foundation; leader and major supporter of Village Shalom; creator and original funder of the Bushman Community Endowment Program, which creates education for nonprofits in the Jewish community to raise millions of dollars for their endowment programs; with Charles Helzberg, Ann Canfield and Sandy Baer was an original funder of the Teenage Arts Council at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art; was on the board of councilors of the non-profit Menorah Hospital; and, as a young man, a Sunday school teacher at Congregation Beth Shalom. He served on several corporate boards, including Prom Motor Hotels.
He devoted much time counseling leaders of profit and not-for-profit organizations, plus many people from varied backgrounds for whom Stanley always made time to hear their challenges and offer his advice. He often gave financial help to people in his private and confidential style, with love and compassion, for which he consciously avoided recognition.
Stanley was a lifetime student of varied interests, including art, ballet, travel, architectural design, barbeque, and, perhaps most of all, he was an exceptional and compassionate listener who loved life and enjoyed giving back to his community — a man of keen mind and strength of character.
His was a life of work, generosity and passion.
Stanley is survived by Ann Canfield; his niece Jill Goodman of St. Louis; and nephew Todd Goodman of St. Louis and Newport Beach, California.
Heartfelt thanks go to the exceptional care provided by his loving caregivers, led by Meron Samuel.
In lieu of flowers, Stanley’s wish is that you help someone, a friend or a stranger, each and every day as he tried to do throughout his life; or, alternatively, a donation to the Jewish Community Foundation of Kansas City for the Strategic Growth Fund (5801 W. 115th Street, Suite 104, Overland Park, KS 66211).
Private burial will be followed by a memorial service on Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom. The memorial service will be livestreamed at bethshalomkc.org/livestreaming.
