Harold S. Divine

Divine, Harold S. 95, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida died peacefully after a short illness. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of more than seventy years, Rita (nee Kaufman), by his four children and their partners, Tom (Donna), Rick (Karen L), Lori (Vitek), and Amy (Doug). He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Elana (Anna), Jonas, Jake (Eliza), Alexa (Jason), Tyler (Brent), Austin, Remi, Tucker and Piper; two great-grandchildren, Rosie and Ben and by many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Dorothy and Idele. Born on September 19, 1921 in St. Paul Minnesota, Hal lived through a century of extraordinary change, both technologically and socially. Beginning his life in the year after the creation of the first commercial radio station, he ended it able to speak to his great-grandchildren by way of Skype and Facetime. Hal lived many lives during his long and exceptional lifetime. The outbreak of war disrupted his studies at the University of Minnesota and moved him to enlist in the U.S. Navy, where he taught young recruits to fly, and from which he was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant JG at war's end. As a youth, Hal worked as a butcher, grocery clerk, and sign painter before becoming a diamond merchant, stockbroker, manufacturer's representative and holder of a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. He joined Meshulam Riklis and others in creating Rapid American Corporation, one of the earliest corporate conglomerates, and later founded offices in Asia dedicated to the production and importation of goods into the United States. In recent years, he explored many different fields as a private investor, among them real estate development. Many of these commercial ventures resulted in enduring friendships. His financial good fortune led him to create a family charitable foundation which, in its time, contributed generously to mainly Jewish and Israel based charities, including the Israel Children's Centers. He took particular pleasure in mentoring his grandchildren, nieces and nephews in matters of business, and spent hours on the telephone advising and strategizing with them. He inspired generations of business partners and associates. Through good times and more challenging ones, he adapted to and mastered the changing climate. He was a giant and he was loved. Funeral service 11:00 THURSDAY at UNITED HEBREW CEMETERY CHAPEL, 2605 W. 70 1/2 Street, Richfield. Memorials preferred to donor's favorite charity. SHIVA to be announced at service. Hodroff-Epstein 612-871-1234 hodroffepstein.com

Published on April 24, 2017