Siegmund Halpern, 96, passed away on Aug. 1, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1919 and, escaping the Holocaust in 1940, followed his childhood sweetheart Helene Waltuch to St. Louis where they married in 1941. They had a wonderful marriage, supporting and enjoying each other for 62 years until her death in 2003.
A successful businessman and community leader, Sig was a founder and president of Modern Jacket Co., which became part of MJ Industries before he retired in 1986. He was a president of the St. Louis Jewish Federation, a member of the board of the Jewish Hospital and the St. Louis Jewish Light. He was honored as a leader by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He believed in tikkun olam.
Sig was an active member of Congregation B’nai Amoona for 65 years.
Sig was proceeded in death by his parents Majur Halpern and Debora Halpern.
He is survived by his brother Ernst Halpern (Fredy) of New York; two daughters Gerry Trilling (Howard) of Kansas City, Missouri, and Karen Techner (late Charlie Silverman) of Boulder, Colorado; three grandchildren, Micah Trilling (Ortal Kirson), Abby Trilling and Sara Trilling (Matt Sosnow); four great-grandchildren, Harvest Coleman, Josephine and Audrey Trilling and Helene Sosnow; and extraordinary caregiver Carolyn Graves.
He was a wonderful husband, father, zayde and friend, bringing wisdom, joy and laughter into the world.
The family wants to thank the caring and thoughtful staff of Brighton Gardens in Prairie Village who became part of our extended family.
Funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at Berger Memorial Chapel in St. Louis, with burial following at B’nai Amoona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be directed to St. Louis Jewish Federation or Congregation B’nai Amoona.