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Alfred Kahn Jr.

Alfred Kahn Jr., M.D., 97, died Feb. 17, 2013. Alfred was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Redith White Kahn; his daughter Susan Oliver, of Dallas; and his sister, Marion Godchaux, of New Orleans. He was the son of the late Bess and Alfred Kahn, of Little Rock, Ark. He is survived by his son, Alfred Kahn III, M.D., of Cincinnati, and his wife, Susan; daughter Marion Kahn, of Steamboat Springs; and sister Jane Moses, of Little Rock. He has eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with three more on the way.
He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, recognizing and honoring each for their unique gifts.
Alfred was beloved by family and friends for his moral character, his healthy living example, his self-discipline, his generosity, his wit and his intelligence. A tough taskmaster, he worked to help everyone close to him reach his or her potential. He was an encourager and worked hard, as he often said, “not to stand in judgment of others.”
Born in 1916 in Little Rock, Alfred attended Little Rock High School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock until he was old enough to attend Washington & Lee College, from which he graduated in three years. He attended Harvard Medical School and had a distinguished career in internal medicine.
Alfred was a believer in service in all aspects of his life. He served three years in World War II as a physician, primarily in North Africa. He once was written up in Time magazine as a captain who had to drive a tank and amputate a soldier’s leg at the same time.
He was volunteer editor of the Arkansas Medical Journal for almost 30 years. He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas Medical School. He served on the founding board of the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Foundation.
He was deeply involved in Rotary and was a club president in Little Rock. Kahn was a Paul Harris Fellow, a Jack Black Fellow and an honorary member of the Steamboat Springs Rotary Club.
As a devotee of exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, he believed strongly that there should be “more playing fields and fewer bleachers.” He was a longtime member of the Little Rock Boys Club Board and served as its president.
In 1980, he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
His wife, Redith, was the light of his life. They traveled the world and took up cross-country skiing in their 60s, leading to a new life in Steamboat, where they also enjoyed many happy years together with the rich outdoor lifestyle and a new circle of close friends in addition to the friends they loved in Little Rock.
He was an avid tennis player and played daily until he was 92. He also loved quail and duck hunting. He always was gracious and a true Southern gentleman.
The family would like to express its gratitude to Drs. Mark McCaulley and Jennifer Kempers; the outstanding, caring staff of angels at the Doak Walker Care Center; and to his very special table-mates who looked out for his well-being every day.
A private family service took place in Steamboat Springs. A separate service will be held in Little Rock, where his ashes will be interred with those of his wife, Redith.
In lieu of flowers and to honor his legacy, the family suggests that memorials be made to the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs, the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Colorado, the Steamboat Springs Tennis Association or the Rotary Foundation.


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