I was a student of his long ago at Forest Park Community College. He was a good teacher and got along well with the students.

Part 4 of Rabbi Shlomo Soroka’s eulogy:

When the great sage Rabbi Akiva, who lived during the destruction of the Second Temple, noticed his students were dozing off during a Talmudic lecture, he reminded them that just as Sarah lived 127 years, Queen Esther ruled over 127 countries and provinces. How did that wake up the tired young rabbis? The answer is that Rabbi Akiva was showing them that there’s an accounting for every moment of life. Sarah’s descendant would rule over an additional country for every year she used productively. Since she optimized all 127 of her years, her descendant merited to rule over 127 countries. He was encouraging his students to appreciate every moment. 
 
Alan lived with that awareness. He made his moments count. He was a man who lived with purpose and heart. He was endlessly encouraging, intellectually alive, humble, humorous, compassionate and principled. He bridged worlds—Orthodox and non‑observant, St. Louis and Phoenix, tradition and modernity—while always respecting others’ paths. He was a person who loved learning, treasured friendship and sought peace and understanding in all things. He lived a full life, a life replete with meaning, service and good deeds- a full 87 years and nine months and 27 days.
 
May his spirit continue to teach us and inspire us. And may his memory be a blessing. Yehi zichro baruch.
                                        - Rabbi Shlomo Soroka

Part 3 of Rabbi Shlomo Soroka’s eulogy for Alan:  


He was also always brave enough to be vulnerable, even before it was in style. In one of those moments he said to me that if he could go back in time and do life over again, he’d do it the Orthodox way. I challenged his premise that a time machine was necessary or even preferable, as G-d obviously wanted him to live life a certain way up until this point, but G-d could also want to see if he was willing to grow at this stage of life. He took me up on my challenge and grew in his observance and faith in the years that followed. Most people who have their best years in the rearview mirror simply despair, as they realize how impossible it would be to make big changes at that stage in their lives. Alan understood that G-d only expects us to try, and that means small steps count. They count a lot. But as they added up, Alan didn’t stop to count them. He frequently joked about being a non-fully observant Jew who nevertheless cherished learning, loved Judaism and frequently expressed his belief that “even a little is better than none.”
 
Alan took pride in his Jewish identity, especially his lofty status as a “Kohen,” having descended patrilineally from the Holy Priests of Israel. He understood that heritage is not merely something to admire but a responsibility to live up to and invest in for the next generation. I distinctly recall in 2011 how excited he was to attend Jadon’s Bar Mitzvah and observe his performance after working hard on his Bar Mitzvah lessons.     
 
His commitment to G-d never contradicted his commitment to his fellow Jew. He was the kindest most sensitive soul you ever met. Whatever he did, it was with intention and sensitivity to others, always careful to never to be an imposition or to hurt anyone’s feelings. 

(Continued)

Part 2 of Rabbi Shlomo Soroka’s eulogy for Alan:

Devorah (my wife) and I first met Alan in 2009 when Bev was experiencing hair loss from the cancer treatment and discovered that nobody makes wigs like Orthodox Jewish sheitel machers (wig makers) who have honed their craft over centuries. It was love at first sight as Devorah realized this wasn’t just another customer. Bev was strong and courageous, classy and kind. She was so grateful for Devorah helping her restore her beautiful and dignified appearance, she bought Devorah an exquisite scarf as a thank you gift. Before we knew it, we were hosting Alan and Bev for dinner along with our three rambunctious boys and baby daughter. That was the beginning of a deep and special friendship.
 
Alan began to study Torah with me on a weekly basis at the St. Louis Kollel. Initially I thought this was his first exposure to a Yeshiva-like experience but I quickly learned otherwise. Years earlier he had taught general studies at the Yeshiva Gedolah St. Louis Rabbinical College and picked up quite a bit from just being there. I once told him that I can’t take money for teaching Torah, to which he shot back that he remembered from one of the Yeshiva rabbis that Jewish law does allow one to be compensated for the time they could be doing something else more lucrative. We compromised: he supported the Kollel generously.
 
As our family grew and grew, so did our relationship with Alan and Bev. Alan celebrated with us as we added three more girls and two more boys to the crew but he also worried how we would afford this ever-expanding family. I think he raised the topic nearly as often as my own Jewish mother. Alan also worried about my work habits and bought me a copy of “Slowing Down to the Speed of Life.” I still keep the book near my bed and have purchased it for others. It’s part of paying his kindness forward. 
 
(Continued)

Thank you to Rabbi Shlomo Soroka for this beautiful  eulogy you wrote. Here is Part 1:

The first funeral service and eulogy ever recorded is in this week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sara. The weekly parsha begins by telling us, “Sarah’s lifetime was one hundred years, and twenty years, and seven years, [these are] the years of Sarah’s life.”
 
Our Sages point out an obvious difficulty. The verse states she lived 127 years and then adds: “These are the years of Sarah’s life.” What is this seemingly redundant line coming to teach us?
 
To answer this, I’d like to share a famous parable. The story is told about a traveler who was passing through a small shtetl in Eastern Europe and noticed that gravestones in the old cemetery displayed shockingly short lifespans.
“Here lies David Goldberg who lived 4 years.”
“Here lies Abraham Greenbaum who lived 9 years.”
“Here lies Jacob Schwartz who lived 24 years!”
 
He asked around and finally found an old undertaker. Was there a plague? What tragedy took the lives of so many young people?
The old undertaker smiled and explained. “There was no tragedy or plague. The custom in this shtetl was to record the hours each person spent every day doing good deeds, praying, studying and performing kindness. That is the time a person is truly alive, for that is his purpose in this world.
 
The lesson here is that Sarah utilized every moment of her 127 years on this earth, and so, these are the actual years of her life.
    
Alan lived a long life but more importantly, Alan lived a full life. He was always looking to grow as a Jew, as a husband, as parent and grandparent, as a friend, and as a human being. He didn’t stop working when he retired. In a sense, that’s when he began a new journey of personal growth and spiritual connection. 
  
(Continued)

My sincere condolences to the family of Alan J. Kraus.   When I think of ALAN, I immediately think of the word Mench. ALAN was a real Mench.

He was a very kind person and a great conversationalist. Although I would only see him at the JCCA periodically it was as if no time had passed between us.

ALAN will certainly be missed by his circle of friends and acquaintances.

My name is Jane (Richards) Tucker and over 50 years ago your parents worked for my dad at Lee Richard’s Realty. I  believe your parents  might have been a friends of my late siblings  Ruth Cohen or Dick  Richards.  
I just wanted to say how I remember them as a lovely, fun and loving couple. I am so sorry for your loss and send my deepest sympathy to your family. 
Jane

Articulate, Intelligent,  Wildly  Entertaining,  Big Heart, Great Listener,  Honesty,  Sincerity  Compassion.  These are some of the thoughts that come  to  my  mind  about Big Al.  Musician, Teacher, Competitor. Handball player, Runner, Gin player, good books ,movies , adventurer.  Great  husband, father  grandfather, and friend  to all. Al was a true  gentleman  and a Renaissance  man.  What was not to like!!!My condolences  to  Allan's family.  I will miss  my good friend .

OBITUARY

Alan J. Kraus

January 10, 1938 – November 6, 2025

Berger Memorial Chapel

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