I was fortunate to call Henry Bloch my friend and mentor. He was so kind, gentle, positive and truly cared for people.
In 1979, I met with Henry and his wife, Marion, and asked them to consider accepting Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s Civic Service Award, to be presented in 1980. After touring the school and visiting with the teachers and students, they enthusiastically agreed to accept the award.
Seventeen years later, in 1996, on behalf of HBHA I asked Henry for a favor. We wanted Henry to ask Lamar Hunt to be HBHA’s 1997 Civic Service Award honoree. Although he had only met Mr. Hunt twice, he said he would give it a try. Sure enough Lamar Hunt told Henry he would be honored to accept the award and then added, “Henry, the fact you felt this award was so important and you took the time to call me, I feel privileged to be at the event.”
Henry made it a point to visit HBHA every two or three years to speak to the senior class about Kansas City’s business community and economy. The students were honored to hear from him and were mesmerized by his lectures.
I once asked Henry what motivated him and Marion to accept the award from the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. He replied that after he and Marion toured the school, he made a point to call several former recipients — including Mayor Richard Berkley, Arthur Mag, Don Hall and Mayor Ilus Davis — to hear their impressions of HBHA. He learned they all felt that Hyman Brand had a vision that they shared as well. For Kansas City to be ranked as a first-class city it had to have great hospitals, a first-class museum, a great university, a first-class symphony and a first-class Jewish day school like the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. He then added, “We don’t ever want to be in a position where Kansas City might lose a potential candidate — be it a scientist, lawyer, doctor, educator or business executive — who might not move to Kansas City because his or her children required a Jewish day school education and curriculum. One that would allow the graduate to be the best and the brightest and prepare them to qualify for the college of their choice.”
Henry was the ultimate gentleman’s gentleman. He loved most of all his partner and wife, Marion, his children and grandchildren, and he was eternally grateful to Kansas City. He devoted his life to giving back to Kansas City.
I, along with thousands of people, will miss Henry Bloch. May his memory always be for a blessing.
Rest in peace my friend.
Carl Puritz,
Leawood, Kansas
