Herman Proler

Herman Proler, native Houstonian and noted business executive, died on Sunday, the 8th of March 2020, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on the 5th of December 1927, the eighth of nine children born to Ben and Rose Proler, Jewish immigrants from Lithuania.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his eight siblings, Sarah, Sammy, Izzie, Ethyl, Robert, Bill, Ruby, Jackie, his late wife Irma Rose and former wife Elaine.

Born into a Yiddush speaking home, he learned to speak English at Houston public schools. At the age of 13, his hearing began to fail, which was significantly restored at the age of 18. At a very young age, he went work in the family business, City Junk and Supply, as it was known at the time. It was the precursor to Proler Steel Co. and eventually Proler International Corporation. From his earliest days, Mr. Proler had an affinity for assembling and building things. He focused his energy on the construction and operation of scrap shredding and processing facilities for Proler Steel and its partners around the United States. Under his leadership, Proler International received the President’s “E Star” award for continued Excellence in Export Service from the United States Department of Commerce. For his personal contributions to the recycling industry, he was awarded the ISRI Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was deeply committed to the Houston Jewish Community and contributed his resources to its betterment throughout his life. In recognition of his contributions to the community, he was awarded the American Jewish Committee’s Max H. Nathan Human Relations Award.

Mr. Proler and his family joined the Congregation Beth Israel in 1967, which he came to regard as his spiritual home for the rest of his life.

Mr. Proler is survived by his son, Lawrence Proler and wife, Nancy, his daughter, Rose Proler and her partner, Jack Cohen, grandchildren Michelle Almog, Natalie Ledeen and husband Daniel and Lindsay Powers and husband, John, great grandchildren Elie Ledeen, Marlowe Powers and Henry Powers, his loving partner for many years, Suzanne Levin and her children Judy Levin and Jennifer Levin, sister-in-law, Freda Proler and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to express their thanks to the men who cared for him in his final year, Tim Guzman, Jesse Guzman, Rick Majano, Manuel Villareal and Zakaria Surmawalla. The family would also like to thank his housekeeper of many decades, Josie Florindo.

Friends will gather with the family and share remembrances of Hymie during a visitation from five o'clock this afternoon until seven o'clock this evening, Tuesday, the 10th of March 2020, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service will be held at half-past eleven o'clock this morning Wednesday, the 11th of March 2020, in the sanctuary of Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood Boulevard in Houston, where Rabbi David A. Lyon, Senior Rabbi and Cantor Star Trompeter, Senior Cantor, are to officiate.

Prior to the memorial service, the family gathered for a private interment at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden in Houston.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Joe Chesnick, Sr., Bernard Fuchs, Lee Schlanger, Walter Walne, Ralph Cohen, Albert Rayle, Jack Cohen, Daniel Ledeen, John Powers, Ronny Proler, Bill Proler, Jody Proler, David Proler and Louis Karp.

In lieu of customary remembrances memorial contributions may be directed to Congregation Beth Israel Temple Fund, 5600 North Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX 77096; National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St., Denver, CO 80206; M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; Attn.: Development Office, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210; Texas Heart Institute, 6770 Bertner Ave., Houston, TX 77030; or Seven Acres Senior Care, 6200 North Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX 77074.