Bob Kaufman, of Owings Mills, Maryland, formerly of Steubenville, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 at the age of 67. He is survived by his loving brothers, Jim (Lisa) Kaufman, and Mark Kaufman; sister, Jane Kaufman; nephew, Nathan Kaufman; niece, Melissa Kaufman; uncle, David Dunner; and aunt, Francine Levinson. He was predeceased by his parents, Sidney and Sylvia Kaufman.
Bob cared deeply about his family, both his parents and his siblings, but also all members of his extended family. He expressed these emotions frequently, and they are observable in many family photos. Bob also had a strong commitment to his Jewish heritage, and expressed this in many ways throughout his life. During his teenage years he was very active in the United Synagogue Youth organization, achieving leadership positions at the local, regional and even the national level. He served as national vice-president during his senior year in high school. He completed college courses in Jewish studies at Columbia University in New York City, and was a widely read, learned, and practicing Jew throughout his life. He served as president of a Jewish congregation in his hometown of Steubenville, Ohio.
Bob was also proud of his hard work and many contributions to various companies and organizations. This included many years of work and leadership in a multigenerational family business in Steubenville, and subsequently a long and successful career in sales and management at companies in the Philadelphia and Baltimore regions that provided services to the automobile industry. Having retired from that industry, he was very proud to work as a staff member for the last year and a half of his life at the largest Reform Jewish congregation in the Baltimore region: Baltimore Hebrew Congregation.
In addition to living out the above-noted commitments, Bob received a special level of enjoyment from various parts of his life. He had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed scuba diving (especially with his father), and he even tried skydiving. From early childhood he loved music, learned to play the piano and trombone, and played the trombone in his high school marching bad. Later in life he enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music. Beethoven was his favorite classical composer. Bob became a skilled cook during his adulthood, and always enjoyed going out to good restaurants. He enjoyed reading widely, and particularly on topics related to Jewish life. He frequently noted that his favorite Jewish philosopher was Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Services at Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery, 318 Berrymans Lane, Reisterstown, MD 21136, on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 10 am. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21208.