HAROLD STANLEY LAPIDUS
Harold Stanley Lapidus, age 80, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, after a courageous 17-year battle against brain cancer. Hal was born on Feb. 10, 1934, along with his twin brother, Albert Lapidus, in Pittsburgh, to Rose and Jacob Lapidus, both of blessed memory.
He graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School and quickly made his way to Texas. Hal attended The University of Texas at Austin, earning his petroleum engineering degree. He maintained a special place in his heart for his beloved Longhorns for the remainder of his life.
It was during college that he met the love of his life, Diane Gudel, and they married in 1957. Following his graduation, Hal and Diane moved to Virginia, where Hal was stationed at Fort Belvoire, while serving in the U.S. Army.
They came to live in Houston shortly thereafter, while he began a long and successful career in the tool supply industry. Hal established Houston Tool & Hoist Company and enjoyed the many business friendships he made during his more than 25 years as president.
Hal loved coaching little league, running on Sunday mornings at Memorial Park, playing tennis at Chancellors and being with his supportive Monday lunch bunch group. He never met a dessert not worthy of at least tasting.
Following his retirement in 1997, Hal continued doing what he truly loved – volunteering his time for a number of worthy organizations, including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Temple Emanu El, Ronald McDonald House and Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services. Whether he was assisting patients with a warm cup of coffee, serving lunch to senior citizens, passing out cookies to children with cancer, or building a wheelchair ramp, Hal loved giving his time and talents to those in need. He was part of the original team of handymen from Emanu El who fulfilled construction project requests for those in need. His team became instrumental in the creation of the congregation’s annual Mitzvah Day, and Hal was honored, along with his teammates, as Emanu El’s Congregant of the Year in 2001. Hal and Diane enjoyed traveling together, cruising and were blessed to visit many countries around the world.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Lapidus; daughters, Lynn Lapidus, Karen Edelman and son-in-law, Mark Edelman; his grandchildren, Jared Edelman and Anya Edelman; brother, Albert Lapidus; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy (whom Hal considered a little sister) and Dave Introligator; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a lifetime of wonderful friends he cherished.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, in the Kagan Rudy Chapel at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet St., at 11:30 a.m., with Rabbi Roy Walter officiating.
For those desiring, memorial contributions can be made to the Brain Tumor Research Center at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486; the National MS Society, nationalmssociety.org/donate; or to Houston Hospice, houstonhospice.org.
— Houston Jewish Funerals
He graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School and quickly made his way to Texas. Hal attended The University of Texas at Austin, earning his petroleum engineering degree. He maintained a special place in his heart for his beloved Longhorns for the remainder of his life.
It was during college that he met the love of his life, Diane Gudel, and they married in 1957. Following his graduation, Hal and Diane moved to Virginia, where Hal was stationed at Fort Belvoire, while serving in the U.S. Army.
They came to live in Houston shortly thereafter, while he began a long and successful career in the tool supply industry. Hal established Houston Tool & Hoist Company and enjoyed the many business friendships he made during his more than 25 years as president.
Hal loved coaching little league, running on Sunday mornings at Memorial Park, playing tennis at Chancellors and being with his supportive Monday lunch bunch group. He never met a dessert not worthy of at least tasting.
Following his retirement in 1997, Hal continued doing what he truly loved – volunteering his time for a number of worthy organizations, including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Temple Emanu El, Ronald McDonald House and Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services. Whether he was assisting patients with a warm cup of coffee, serving lunch to senior citizens, passing out cookies to children with cancer, or building a wheelchair ramp, Hal loved giving his time and talents to those in need. He was part of the original team of handymen from Emanu El who fulfilled construction project requests for those in need. His team became instrumental in the creation of the congregation’s annual Mitzvah Day, and Hal was honored, along with his teammates, as Emanu El’s Congregant of the Year in 2001. Hal and Diane enjoyed traveling together, cruising and were blessed to visit many countries around the world.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Lapidus; daughters, Lynn Lapidus, Karen Edelman and son-in-law, Mark Edelman; his grandchildren, Jared Edelman and Anya Edelman; brother, Albert Lapidus; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy (whom Hal considered a little sister) and Dave Introligator; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a lifetime of wonderful friends he cherished.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, in the Kagan Rudy Chapel at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet St., at 11:30 a.m., with Rabbi Roy Walter officiating.
For those desiring, memorial contributions can be made to the Brain Tumor Research Center at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486; the National MS Society, nationalmssociety.org/donate; or to Houston Hospice, houstonhospice.org.