Hanno D Mott

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Hanno D Mott (born June 9, 1933; age 92) on February 6, 2026. Hanno passed away peacefully at home, in the company of his loving family; and cared for by his wife and partner of 52 years, Grete Meilman. Hanno was born in Berlin, Germany to Siegfried and Yulla Mosczytz. The family name was changed to Mott when the family was forced to leave Germany and settle in the United States in 1938. His father re-established his law practice and was a founding member of Congregation New Hope Synagogue for Jews escaping Germany to Cincinnati, Ohio. Hanno graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1951. His mother, Yulla moved to New York and later married the sculptor Jacques Lipchitz; and his father later re-married Jeannette Yunker (Mott). The growth of Hanno’s familial and cultural circles were formative and placed him on a path of profound education and intellect, as well as artistic and spiritual devotion.

Following in the steps of his proud father, Hanno was admitted to practice law in Ohio in 1957, and in New York in 1959. He received both his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of the University of Cincinnati Law Review (1956-57). In 1958, he received an LLM in Taxation from New York University School of Law. Hanno’s growth in the field of tax law led to him becoming a member of the Sections on Taxation and International Law and Practice of the American Bar Association. Hanno worked for more than 20 years as a founding and senior member of the general practice law firm Koenig, Ratner & Mott P.C., and in 2000 joined Rottenberg Lipman Rich.

Hanno’s family history greatly informed his professional interests and engagement. Hanno was a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and his interest in art led him to become Chair of the Committee on Art Law of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York; and a member of the Law Advisory Council of the International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR}.

Hanno gave his time, expertise, and money to everyone around him. Much of his life was also focused on charitable and volunteer work. He has mentored many people in these fields as a lecturer and instructor on many topics in art, immigration, and tax law. He also maintained important charitable affiliations with the American Friends of the Israel Museum (Board Member, Secretary, and Chair of the Planned Giving Committee); the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan (Board Member, Member of the Executive Committee, and Chair of the Budget Committee); The Israel Museum (International Council and Honorary Fellow); as Chair of the American Friends of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and as the National President of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity.

Most importantly, Hanno nurtured and loved his family and received deep love in return. He was a spiritual leader and patriarch to his family, In particular, Hanno demonstrated to his adoring nieces and nephews the manner in which he could skillfully integrate Judaism into daily life, ethics, and everyday activities. In particular he cherished annual Passover gatherings--a tradition that began for his family in his fathers’ home and over time grew to annual fun and gatherings at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. Grete and Hanno also enjoyed global adventures together in the context of their artistic interests and this provided them a large set of connected friends and colleagues around the world--and a lifetime of laughter, fine dinners, and gallery openings and expositions. Hanno also traveled with and visited his family across the globe, and leaves cherished memories of adventures in Europe, Africa, and Asia. He also provided love and support to a large extended family in Israel. Hanno has completed his job as a family patriarch, and he leaves a legacy of nieces and nephews who have a deep understanding of interconnected global humanity; who care about nurturing the communities around them; and who will honor his example of kindness, trust, spirituality, and charity. Hanno is preceded in death by his mother, Yulla Lipchitz (Jacques Lipchitz), his father, Fred Mott (Jeannette Mott), and his brother Frank Mott (Susan Mott). Hanno is survived by his wife Grete Meilman; his sisters Lolya Lipchitz, (Harold Kasimow) and Barbara Brafman (Larry Stein); his loving nieces and nephews Joshua Mott (Kelly Mott), Johanna Kasimow, Sophie Kasimow (Seth Shames) and Tammy Forrest (Robert Forrest); and grand nieces and nephews Jacob, Lilah, Isabella, Julia, and Jay.