Obituary of Benjamin E. Tepper

Mr. Benjamin E. Tepper, 94, died Sunday, August 1, 2004 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. Born in Plainfield, he resided there until moving to Bridgewater four years ago. A graduate of Plainfield High School, Mr. Tepper received a BA degree in English Literature from Yale University in 1932. Following his graduation, he returned to Plainfield to partner with his father at the store he had established in the early 1900s known as Teppers Department Store. An honorable man, Mr. Tepper will be remembered as a kind, interested individual who truly had a way of making each of his employees feel that they were an integral part of the working of the store. Because of his caring managerial style, he had the distinction of having many long-term loyal employees who considered him their friend. A high class store with a high class owner. He remained as President until his retirement in 1977. Civically minded, Mr. Tepper served on the Plainfield Parking Authority, President of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center and was President of the Plainfield Community Chest, now known as the United Way. He was a member of the Plainfield Kiwanis and Vice President of Temple Sholom; where his family was one of the founding members. He was continuously contributing to various community causes. He loved piloting planes, fishing, swimming, sailing and playing the obo. A veracious reader who enjoyed exercising his mental abilities, Mr. Tepper read the New York Times daily and always kept a copy of the Greek, Roman and Italian Classics on his night stand. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Hazel Levine Tepper; two daughters, Maxine and her husband Lewis Krulwich of Summit and Anne and her husband Jeffrey Pearl of San Francisco; four grandchildren, Bruce, David, Steve and his wife Sandra Krulwich and Laura Pearl and two great grandchildren, Daniel and Sarah Krulwich. Also surviving are a nephew Robert and his wife Corey Glass of Far Hills. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 2, 2004 at 1:00 pm at the Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung with Rabbi Joel Abraham officiating followed by private interment. Donations in his memory to either the Somerville Public Library, 35 West End Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876 or the Plainfield Public Library, 8th Street at Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060 would be appreciated. Shiva will be observed on Tuesday from 2:00 5:00 pm at Arbor Glen, 100 Monroe St. in Bridgewater.