Dr. Kaufman

Kaufman, Dr. Benjamin--Age, 97 of Flint Township passed away peacefully January 28, 2017 with his family present. Services will be held 1pm Tuesday, January 31 at Temple Beth El. Those desiring may make contributions to Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Beth El, Chabad House of Eastern Michigan and the Flint Institute of Arts. Dr. Kaufman was a wise, caring, patient, generous man whose love and concern for his family trumped all. He was born in Owosso on August 16, 1919 to Albert and Paula (Schonmueller) (both natives of Germany). He and his four older brothers were raised in the Woodard House--a large white house right in the center of town down the street from the Curwood Castle. His parents owned and operated Kaufman's Department Store where area residents shopped for men's and women's fashions for many years. It was the finest store in the vicinity. All five boys assisted their parents at the store. After hours, in the warmer months, the family planted and tended a large vegetable garden on the outskirts of town. Dr. Kaufman passed that knowledge and ability for planting and harvesting on to all his children who, to this day, continue to plant gardens at their respective homes. The Flint Journal featured him in an article in later years about his gardening prowess. He graduated from Owosso High School (where he played football), then attended Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University (where he participated in the Reserve Officers Training Corps; during ROTC, he rode horses and developed a fondness for them) before graduating from Albion College. He then attended and graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental School. Dr. Kaufman was commissioned a Lieutenant in the United States Navy in 1945 serving as a dental surgeon at Camp Miramar and Port Huemene, California, the Marine Base in San Diego and at Lowry Army Air field in Denver. He received an Honorable Discharge from service to his country before returning to Flint to join his brother Dr. Theodore Kaufman in the practice of dentistry. Upon the urging of his brother, Dr. Kaufman enrolled and graduated from the Orthodontic School at the State University of New York at Buffalo. While in Buffalo, he met Estelle Creed (of nearby Toronto, Ontario, Canada) at Crystal Beach. They were married October 7, 1951. Together they established and operated one of Flint's first orthodontic practices at 314 West Third Avenue. Estelle often answered the telephone and scheduled appointments. Dr. Kaufman straightened Flint area children's teeth for 50 years, leaving them with a smile both on the child's face and on his own. His office walls and cabinets were adorned with paintings and figurines of clowns that children loved and they marveled at the enormous fish tank in his waiting room. Many patients gave him clowns as gifts that they obtained on trips around the world. Children also loved the brightly colored lab coats Dr. Kaufman wore in the office. During the holiday season, Dr. Kaufman was renowned for gifting Claxton fruitcakes to his patients and friends. This tradition continued in the professional practices of his children in later years. He and Estelle also gave out Vidalia onions that they purchased in large quantities from the Shriners. Dr. Kaufman was the oldest living member of Elf Khurafeh Shriner Center and Masonic Flint Lodge #23 F.&A.M. and they honored him in 2016 with a ceremony at his residence. During his many years of practice, he often ate lunch and talked about the stock market with Alfred the owner of Kenjo's Chinese Restaurant on Detroit Street. Dr. Kaufman also frequented the old Light House Restaurant, Third Avenue Fish and the cafeteria at GMI. Dr. Kaufman was president of the Flint Exchange Club and helped establish and operate the annual Flint Air Show at Bishop Airport. The Exchange Club met at the University Club atop the Genesee Towers where Dr. Ben and Estelle were founding members and frequent patrons. He was the recipient of several "Keys to the City" given to him by Flint Mayors for his civic and charitable work. In fact, Dr. Kaufman loved Flint and bought and drove only GM vehicles--mostly Buick cars and Chevrolet trucks. And he made sure his children did the same. He also loved Northern Michigan and his family vacationed at their Houghton Lake cottage. At Estelle's urging, they found their way to Charlevoix where they vacationed with their children for more than 50 years. Charlevoix trips were highlighted by the family's July 4th picnic featuring smoked whitefish and other Up North delicacies. Also on the agenda was golf and fishing. Dr. Kaufman organized it all. He loved golf but didn't actually take it up until he was in his mid 50s. He always felt he didn't have time for it because of family obligations. But once he felt his obligations lessened, he began playing frequently with his golfing buddies Maury Rosenthal and Harry Binder and others at Mott Golf Course. He could be found there almost every morning, walking the course, pulling his cart, driving his ball down the middle and fishing balls out of the Flint River. He was also accompanied by his faithful companion "Buddy" the dog who roamed the riverbank while Dr. Kaufman golfed. He always had a dog by his side. He loved animals and they loved him. Even though he took up golf later in life, Dr. Kaufman scored two holes-in-one! Both after he turned 80 years old. Both were scored on the 6th hole at Mott with Maury and Harry as his witnesses. Golf was often followed by coffee and a donut at Supreme Donuts on Flushing Road. He was also a terrific cook and would feed his family and whoever else showed up on Sunday. No dish was beyond his ability and his grandchildren would marvel at his various "surprise" dishes that he would concoct. He was a member of and active in many professional organizations: American Dental Association, Genesee District Dental Society, Orthodontic Association of America, Alpha Omega, B'nai Brith and Phi Lamda Kappa Medical Society. He and Estelle attended the Phi Lamda Kappa convention every year in Miami Beach making life long friends. In 1980, Dr. Kaufman, Estelle and their daughter Alisa were present at the Olympics in Lake Placid, New York when the United States defeated the Soviet Union in men's hockey. Besides his family, he loved Crown Royal and Hershey bars. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Estelle. Surviving are 4 children: Therese (David) Leyton of Flint Township, Joel (Nancy) Kaufman of West Bloomfield, Dr. Sheryl Weissman of Portland, Oregon, Alisa Kaufman (David Raider) of Commerce Township; grandchildren, Dr. Aimee Speck (Alan Speck), Andrew Leyton, Erica Leyton, Adam Leyton (Denise Foley), Shelby Kaufman, Carly Kaufman (Daniel Weberman), Jacob Kaufman, Rebecca Weissman, Madeline Weissman, Jordan Bachar, Sivan Rose Bachar; great grandchildren, Sadie and Micah Speck. He also leaves his beloved Wheaten Terrier "Georgie." He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brothers: Leon, Milton, Herbert and Theodore. Friends may share an online tribute on the obituary page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek.