Hans Kahn, the Denver architect who escaped Nazi persecution at age nine and designed BMH-BJ Synagogue in 1965, passed away June 21, 2015, in Denver. He was 86.
Rabbi Yaakov Chaitovsky and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the June 23 service at the Alderman Chapel at BMH-BJ. Interment followed at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
”He worked hard, loved his family and enjoyed life,” his loved ones said.
Gov. John Hickenlooper proclaimed June 23, 2015 as Hans Kahn Day in honor of this measured and quiet man and one of the kindest, most nurturing souls to all those he encountered.
Mr. Kahn was born in Abersweiler, Germany. He fled Nazi Germany before Kristallnacht with his parents and one brother. They only had four passports.
Hans’ sister, who was at a girls school, escaped to France with her school.
His other brother perished in Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The Kahns landed in Bastrop, Louisiana, where they had a sponsor.
Mr. Kahn settled in Denver in 1948.
He earned a BFA at DU and a bachelor degree in architecture from the University of Utah.
During college, he joined ROTC, the Corps of Engineers and served in Korea.
He married Mona Smith in 1957. They were together for 58 years.
Mr. Kahn, who spent the majority of his professional life with the Denver firm of Murrin, Kasch, Kahn and Associates, finished his career in private practice.
He was the architect for numerous schools and houses of worship along the Front Range, including the First Christian Church of Loveland.
A member of BMH-BJ, he built the synagogue on Monaco Pkwy. in 1965 and designed the addition to the sanctuary in 2001.
Mr. Kahn never retired.
He is survived by his wife Mona Kahn; his three children Nate Kahn and Amy Kahn Johnson of Denver and Leslie Kahn of Washington, DC; and seven grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the Serenity Education and Day Treatment Center, 3409 S. Fairplay, Aurora, CO 80014; or Fragile X Foundation, 2100 M St. NW, #170, Box 302, Washington, DC 20037.
Copyright © 2015 by the Intermountain Jewish News
