Obituary of Jack Henry Kaufman

Jack Henry Kaufman passed peacefully on 10/9/2023. Jack is survived by his wife, Frances Singerman Kaufman, daughters Sara (Eric) Greenberg, Joanne (Scott) Graham, son David (Dilek)  and daughter-in-law Kate Julian Kaufman. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Bryan, Devin, Lily, Grant, Max and Elana, as well as great-grandsons Jordi and Rowan with a new one on the way very soon.

Jack was a loving husband, a brother, son, friend and father. He was absolutely devoted to his family. Jack was a leader in education and touched thousands of lives through his tireless dedication to children, teachers and anyone in need of his support, a hug, a smile or a joke. 

Jack and Fran married on July 5, 1959 in Brooklyn, NY. They were married and devoted to each other for every one of their 64 years. After their marriage, Jack was soon deployed to Korea where he served as a teacher helping soldiers complete their education.  

Jack received his Bachelor's degree from Bucknell University where he studied theater. He passed his love of theater, music of all kinds, and the arts on to his daughter Sara, who studied opera at CU.

Jack completed his graduate education at Michigan State University where he received an Educational Specialist degree.  

Jack was principal at Elmwood Elementary in Lansing Michigan when he was invited to a conference in Boulder Colorado in 1971. He immediately fell in love with the Flatirons and called Fran to convince her that if he applied for and was offered a principalship in Boulder, they would move their family that summer. Jack and Fran became the first of their families to venture west when Jack accepted a principalship at both Mapleton and Whittier elementary schools. 

Later, he was Principal at Heatherwood elementary and finished his principal career as at Columbine Elementary. Jack spent much of his time in the classrooms and hallways. He always had time for his teachers and his kids. Jack is remembered and respected by his peers as a ‘People’s Principal’. 

When Jack retired he continued in many leadership roles, including as a lead instructor for educational technology at Metro State College. He also served as the President of his Synagogue, B'nai Torah. 

Jack embraced being a Coloradoan. He began taking his kids skiing in the early 1970’s and they quickly became regulars at Winter Park (his favorite mountain). In the early 1980’s Jack joined the National Sports Center for the Disabled where he guided blind skiers for more than 15 years.  

Jack’s daughter, Joanne, joined him and taught for  over 15 years as well, extending Jack’s legacy of community involvement well beyond his own giving.

When the ski boots came off, the golf spikes went on. Jack played golf nearly every Saturday morning in the spring and summer with his band of buddies, The Bandits, at Flatirons Country Club in Boulder. He also taught his children to play and he and son David played the St. Andrews courses together which sealed their bond and love of the sport.

More than anything, Jack would want everyone to mourn his loss very little. Instead, he would want everyone to stop and hug.

Afterall…

Jack=Hugs. 

Funeral Service, Thursday, October 12th at 11:30am at Feldman Mortuary. Burial to follow at Broomfield County Commons Cemetery.