Obituary
Arnold married Elinore Grossman on November 12, 1944 and they were together for 67-years until Elinore’s passing in 2014. Over the years, they lived in New York City, Ossining, N.Y., Highland Park, Illinois, and Long Boat Key, Florida.
Arnold and Elinore had three children, Lillian Thaler Lewis (Alan Gerber Lewis (d. 2003)); Martin Thaler (Lisa); and Lauren Thaler (William S. Null). Arnold and Elinore had three grandchildren: Danielle, Evan and Henry, and three great grandchildren: Eden, Tal and Lily.
Arnold’s passing is mourned by his immediate family: Lillian Lewis, Martin and Lisa Thaler; Lauren Thaler and William S. Null; Danielle and Yaniv Ben-David and their children, Eden, Tal and Lily; Evan Thaler-Null and Samantha Alibrando; and Henry Thaler and Jessica Broutt.
Arnold was a big-hearted, intelligent, generous and loving person deeply involved in the world around him and genuinely caring about his family and friends. His career spanned service during World War II as an Officer and Navigator in the U.S. Air Force, as well as a successful business career as an Executive with National Silver, EKCO Products Company, American Home Products Corporation, and Thaler ViewMaster Limited Partnership, LLC. He helped to establish and served in leadership on the boards of The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Moriah Congregation.
Arnold was well read and loved traveling the world to experience other cultures. He was actively involved in philanthropic and cultural activities, played tennis into his 90’s enjoyed opera and was a Yankees’ fan. His involvement with causes dear to him and people around him was deep and heart-felt. His warmth, intelligent insight and desire to be supportive was strong throughout his long life. Those whose lives he touched were grateful to have him by their sides. Through it all, he built a wide circle of caring friends and loving family all of whom mourn his passing as we celebrate his remarkable life and carry forward his legacy.
May his memory be a blessing to all those whose lives he touched.
Donations in his memory may be made to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. – https://www.ushmm.org/
Private graveside service. Please attend via livestream, Thursday, 3:30 PM. For information, to leave condolences and a link to view the service: Shalom Memorial Funeral Home (847) 255-3520 or www.shalommemorial.org
Service Information
Service : Thursday, September 15th at 3:30 pm
Service Location: Private Graveside Service -Shalom Memorial Park
Interment:
Shalom Memorial Park
1700 W. Rand RoadArlington Heights
Guest Book & Memories
Share your memories and photographs below.
September 17th, 2022
My name is Frank Spendlove. Arnold and I were neighbors at the Water Club in Longboat Key, Florida.
We became close friends who shared the telling of our many common life experiences from our times in business and in traveling around the world.
Arnold was a special friend who was always lively, humorous, well read and especially well versed in history and current events. Politics was one of his main interests and we spent a considerable amount of time discussing this particular area of Importance to both of us. This led to enriching discussions and, sometimes, heated but respectful, disagreements.
Throughout our friendship I developed the utmost respect and admiration for Arnold. I also had the opportunity to meet his family and his many friends. These meetings very much added to my respect and admiration for him.
His birthday parties in Longboat Key, with his family members and friends, were a lot of fun and memorable. “Good Vibes” all around, would be an appropriate description of the atmosphere at these events.
Thank you Arnold for your friendship and good times. I am a better person for having known you. Rest in peace after having a long and meaningful journey and having a life well lived.
Always, Frank.
~Frank Spendlove
~Friend, Longboat Key, FL
September 16th, 2022
I met him in the sunset of his life,
he became so dear, so quickly
Every waking moment –
he was engaged and engaging.
It was so easy to be with him,
and easy to be inspired by him.
~cynthia uppal
~friend, longboat key, FL
September 15th, 2022
I worked with Arnold for many years planning the Eli Wiesel weekend at Moriah. Arnold was a sensitive, caring and an amazing hard worker. He always wanted and knew how to solve the major issues and the insignificant ones.
Arnold did it all with love and excitement for our guest of honor, Moriah and to all the people on the committee
Arnold was joyous when he was involved with a worthwhile task and always had the time and energy to share his knowledge.
I still miss seeing Arnold and Elinore standing in front of the ark at the closing of Yom Kippur.May he and Elinore Rest In Peace.
Ricki and Phil Elbaum
~Ricki Elbaum
~Moriah Friend, Dfld, Il.
September 15th, 2022
35 years ago, we were looking to join a synagogue and went to Moriah on a holiday to get a feel for the schul. Arnold greeted us at the door with that warmth and charm and kindness and all those adjectives that were identified just now at the service. We, of course, decided to join…..how could we not. In the beginning, i was far from “a regular” Every single time he saw me, he greeted me, by name, with that same charisma, warmth, kindness. There was always some type of conversation. He made me feel at home at Moriah from the beginning.
I decided to work on the Elie Wiesel weekends. Every single time i had a question that i thought only he could answer, i was comfortable calling him regardless of whether he was in New York or here. He ALWAYS answered either immediately or within an hour or so of my call. He made me feel that there was no question that i could not ask. He was a mentor merely by his actions.
The world was a better place with him in it. He will be missed.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
I”m certain his memory will be for a blessing.
With fond memories,
sally
~sally schulman
~Moriah Member, DEERFIELD
Guest Book and Memories
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