Samuel Tilzer

November 22, 1921 - July 1, 2011

SAM TILZER - 11/22/1921-7/1/2011 - Sam never met a stranger in his 89+ years of active life. Born on the Lower East Side of New York and raised in the Bronx, he went through life with a smile on his face and a song in his heart, regardless of the circumstances in which he found himself. Sam sang for his supper in his youth and got his big break with a big band in New York at exactly the same time he received greetings from Uncle Sam. Basic training brought him to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and, ultimately, Kansas City, where at a dance at the Jewish Community Center, he met the love of his life, Harriett. They were married in 1943, and shortly thereafter he shipped out to serve with the Army in the ETO as a radio operator intercepting German radio traffic in an intelligence unit. Sam returned to Kansas City in 1946 to begin a long, successful career in commercial real estate. First, with his father-in-law, Norman Yarmo at Yarco Realty Company, then with other Kansas City brokers ending with Leo Eisenberg for more than fifteen years and, finally, on his own, he made a 50-year run. Sam together with Leo Eisenberg was an early mover and shaker in the development of strip shopping centers in the Midwest. Sam was active in the Kansas City Association of Realtors, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (an early Centurion), and the annual NAIA Basketball Tournament. While in Kansas City, Sam was a former member of Meadowbrook Country Club, B'nai B'rith, Congregation Beth Shalom, The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah and its Board of Directors, the Jewish Community Center and its Board of Directors and the Visionaires. Sam and Harriett moved to Naples, Florida in 1985 and to Boca Raton, Florida four years later. Sam was a member of Quail Creek Country Club in Naples and Boca Grove Country Club in Boca Raton. Sam was an accomplished bridge player who, had he chosen, could have become a bridge Master. Sam was the consummate care giver. He nursed Harriett through her last illnesses and was at her side when she passed. Sam leaves three sons: Jerome S. Tilzer of Leawood, Lowell L. Tilzer (Evy) of Overland Park, Seth A. Tilzer (Ann) of Chesterfield, MO; sister-in-law: Rosemary Yarmo Silverman (Stan); grandchildren: Jill Jokelson (Derek), Todd Tilzer (Rina), Jordan Tilzer (Jessica), Alison Tilzer, Emily Tilzer, Leslie Tilzer and Noah Tilzer; and great grandchildren: Ryan and Samantha Jokelson and Ari and Zev Tilzer; nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express its sincere thanks and gratitude to the staffs of Town Village Leawood and Compassionate Care Hospice. Their caring attitudes and dedication to service will not be forgotten. Funeral services will be this morning at 10:00 am, Sunday July 3, 2011 at The Louis Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. The family requests that contributions be directed to the Heart Center at the University of Kansas Hospital or the charity of one's choice.