Melvin Magilow

Melvin Magilow, age 90, passed away September 21, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am Thursday, September 24, at The Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave. Burial at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome at Douglas County VNA Hospice, Lawrence Jewish Community Center, or the charity of your choice. Mel was born May 29, 1919, and grew up in Kansas City, MO. He was married to Esther Kleinman for 36 years until her death in 1983. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Malkah Magilow; his stepmother Chana Magilow; his brother, Allan Magilow; and his nephew, Mark Magilow. Mel is survived by his wife, Audrey Leban, with whom he lived in Lawrence, KS, and shared much joy over the last 23 years of his life. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marian Magilow; brother-in-law, Daniel Kleinman, and wife, Marjorie; and sister-in-law Lois Tzur and husband, Yakov. Surviving children include Lee Magilow and wife, Hilda; Molly Proffer and husband, Don; Roger Magilow; stepson Bruce Leban and wife, Kelly; and stepson Roy Leban and wife, Emily. He will be missed by his eleven grandchildren, his devoted nieces Beverly Marcus and Michele Freed, and many friends. Mel attended Central High School and Kansas City Junior College, completing a B.S. in chemical engineering at the University of Illinois. He served as a meteorologist and Captain in the Army Air Corps in WWII and gave the forecast at D Day, an experience he recalled many times in his life. Mel worked as a fire protection engineer — first for the Missouri Inspection Bureau (later ISO) and Schirmer Engineering. He was a member of Congregation Beth Shalom and Temple B’nai Jehudah, where he became a pararabbinic. In Lawrence, he was a member of the Jewish Community Center, where he ran the blintz brunch fundraiser for many years. He also volunteered at Audio Reader in Lawrence, reading publications on-air for the visually impaired. Mel had the kind of smile that made others smile, too. His clear, blue eyes said it all – that this was a person who enjoyed life and the people around him. He loved his family and made everybody laugh – even in his final days. We smile at his memory.