Harris D. Kohn

Harris D. Kohn Harris was born on September 10, 1929, to Florence and A. Robert (Bob) Kohn. Harris was married to his beloved (late) wife Frieda Briskin Kohn for 64 years. He is survived by his children Bill (Janet), Steve, and Carolyn (Jeff) Winick; his grandchildren Ida (Ezra) Winick-Likely, Joshua Kohn, Sam Winick, Ari Kohn, and Shira Kohn; his brother Richard (Lila) Kohn; nieces Helene (Mark) Olefsky, Lenore (Dale) Shagrin, Lori Kohn, and Julie Walden; nephew Paul (Marcia) Kramer; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Fond machatunim of Barb and Al Winick, and Lee and (the late) Mel Blum. Harris passed away on Monday, February 12th, 2024.

Harris was born and raised in Chicago. He graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with honors in Economics, and maintained lifelong friendships with his ZBT fraternity brothers from Michigan. After college graduation, Harris joined the Navy, graduated from Officers Candidate School, and served several years of combat duty as a Lieutenant on the U.S.S. LST 902 during the Korean War. This experience was extremely impactful, and he greatly enjoyed sharing his experiences and the life lessons he learned in the United States Navy.

Harris spent his professional life in sales and marketing, first in the family business, Shur Gloss Industries, and then in the furniture and printing industries. He was very innovative and entrepreneurial, and formed and ran several businesses through BISCO Industries (named for his 3 children).

After Harris retired, he pursued various volunteer opportunities, including tutoring Korean adults to improve their English literacy, lecturing at area high schools and nursing homes with his good friend Bruce Parry about their Korean and Vietnam War experiences, grocery shopping for a homebound senior, and delivering Thanksgiving meals to disadvantaged individuals. He was an avid reader and after his eyesight began failing, he would spend hours listening to audiobooks on a variety of subjects, especially biographies, history and politics.

Harris spent the last seven months of his life deeply grieving the loss of his wife Frieda who passed away on July 13, 2023. Harris was a big personality, and his strong presence will leave a void for all who knew him.

Friends and family will gather for funeral services for Harris that will take place at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette, IL on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. An online option will be available for those unable to attend in person. Interment will occur at Memorial Park Cemetery, 9900 Gross Point Road, Skokie, IL immediately following the service at Weinstein & Piser. Shiva will be held from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Congregation B’nai Tivkah, 1558 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, IL on Thursday, February 15th, 2024. Shiva will also be held on Friday, February 16th, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kohn-Blum residence, 364 Iris Lane, Highland Park, IL. Contributions for shiva can be made to shiva coordinator Randi Berger. She can be reached at 773-742-2702. Her Venmo account is @randi-shivaladies and her Zelle account is 773-742-2702. Please put “Kohn” in the notes for any contributions.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org) or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WeinsteinFuneralHomes.com for the Kohn family.