Obituaries

Stanley Kahn

Photo of Stanley Kahn
Stanley Kahn, 92, Arkansas' first certified diamontologist, died peacefully at his home in Hot Springs on Wednesday. Mr. Kahn was born in Pine Bluff to Andrew and Bess Kahn. Stan and Tootie had four children – Adrianne, Karen, Jeff and Beth Ann. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Myra Kahn, son Jeff Kahn and nephew, Jon Bookman. Survivors include daughters, Adrianne Kahn (Chris Raybon) of Hot Springs, Beth Kahn of Little Rock, Karen Weinberg (Dan) of Roswell, Georgia; grandchildren, Andrea Weinberg of New York City, Jeff Weinberg of Roswell, Georgia, Andy Raybon of Hot Springs, Jill Bresnan, Pam Owens, and Julie Fontenot; great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Susie Owens, Josie and Jack Bresnan, and Rosie and Anne Marie Fontenot, all of Dallas. At the age of 9, Kahn began sweeping floors, polishing silver and delivering charge customer statements by bicycle, for his parents' store, Kahn Jewelers. At his death, Kahn had been Arkansas' oldest living Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. He attended the first and third Boy Scout Jamborees in Washington, D.C. where he was in the presence of President Franklin Roosevelt. Stan served as Scoutmaster for Troop 95 at First Methodist Church in Pine Bluff while his new bride was a Girl Scout leader until they started their family. Stan married Ruth Ann "Tootie" from Memphis, Tennessee, in 1951 in Little Rock's Albert Pike Hotel. After Pine Bluff High School and a split in his college career for service as a mechanic in the Army Air Corps, Kahn graduated Washington University with a degree in Retailing where he developed a passion for advertising. Kahn was intrigued by the exposition of the first RCA TV at the 1939 New York World's Fair. He counted the minutes until TV aired in Arkansas and was the first advertiser in the state when KATV televised live from its opening station in Pine Bluff. Said Kahn, "Remember, speak as though you have been invited into a family's living room." Folks still remember the opening line, ‘and now from downtown Pine Bluff, Arkansas' only Certified diamontologist, Stan Kahn." Over the years the ads reflected his many international travels to find the rare and unusual gems and craftsmanship. Kahn and Kahn Jewelers received numerous awards and accolades during the business' 1910 – 2004 Pine Bluff existence. These included Chairman of the Board of Diamond Council of America, president of Arkansas Jewelers Association, and National Retail Jeweler of the Year on two occasions. He was invited to be on original boards of several industry organizations, including Scull Executives and Continental Buying Group. He enjoyed mentoring fine jewelry retailers from coast to coast and organizing international travel expeditions around the world. He was especially proud to be recognized with awards by the president of Swiss Airlines, the Mayor of Antwerp and DeBeers' private tour of the Crown Jewels in London. An innovator, unafraid to think outside the box, Stan hired Cromwell Interior Design of Chicago in 1981 to redesign 415 Main Street location. The modern boutique style store was featured in the February, 1983, issue of The Design magazine. In 1977, Mr. Kahn was asked to find a buyer for a 4.25 yellow diamond found by a tourist at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Mr. Kahn eventually bought the gemstone which, because of its intense yellow color, came to be known as the "Kahn Canary." The natural uncut stone, from one of the only diamond mines in the United States, was fashioned into a uniquely striking ring, which, over the years, has been displayed at various events and museums worldwide, most notably, when Hillary Clinton wore it for her husband Bill's presidential inaugurations. The ring itself was designed to represent the topography of the state of Arkansas. Kahn was flabbergasted by Hillary's response to his offer for her to wear it to the second one, "We can't have an inauguration without the Kahn Canary." Kahn's love for Arkansas' amazing outdoors included canoeing many rivers, visiting multiple state parks and fishing. His reputation for seeing the bottom of more rivers in Arkansas led to his on the back cover of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Another passion was Kahn's adoration of dogs included German Shepherds, Dalmatians and Weimaraners. Subsequently he became known as the president of the William Wegman and Fay Ray fan club. The jewels of Stan's life were curiosity, generosity, compassion, adventure, celebration, and love. A private celebration will be held for family, friends, and cherished customers. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Arkansas Hospice, Barbara's Golden Years, UAMS, and the multitude of caregivers who showed compassion to Stan and his family. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.

Published February 26, 2016

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