Hugo Kahn - Inducted in 2013
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Hugo Kahn, and his twin brother Joseph, were born in Germany in 1932. His family had to flee the country and, with the help of family members already living here, arrived in America in February 1940. He graduated from Omaha University in 1953 and earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois. While attending college, he worked part time at the Nebraska Furniture Mart.
Kahn became the controller at Omaha’s Brandeis Department Store from 1960 to 1967 until recruitment by the prestigious Krauss Company prompted his relocation to New Orleans in 1967. Krauss was a widely-known department store on Canal Street in New Orleans, and Kahn worked his way up from comptroller to president of the company.
While at Krauss, Kahn was active in many initiatives and programs for the Downtown Development District, the Better Business Bureau, and the Historic District Landmark Commission. Kahn is well-known for his service to the community, and has received many honors for his generosity. He has served on the boards of directors in several organizations and foundations, including the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, the Community Day School, and the Touro Infirmary Foundation. He has also served as president of his synagogue and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans as well as co-chairing the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign and Capital Campaign.
Kahn lives in New Orleans with his wife, Lis, with whom he travels to visit their combined family of seven daughters.