Arthur Kotlen

Arthur Kotlen passed away peacefully on August 10th, just one month shy of his 101st birthday. He was born to Joseph and Molly Kotlen on September 17, 1921 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Art grew up in Providence along with his brother and four sisters all of whom predeceased him. As part of the Greatest Generation, Art enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was commissioned as a lieutenant, flying on B17s as a navigator. He was credited with flying 50 missions and received the Army Air Medal with 2 oak clusters as well as the Purple Heart. After his deployment in Europe and North Africa, Art was stationed at Ellington Field. On one of his visits to Houston, he stopped in to eat at Schwartzberg's Delicatessen. He immediately spotted a young woman sitting in a booth doing her homework and asked the cashier who that cute blonde was. The cashier indignantly replied "That's my daughter!" Surprisingly, she allowed her daughter to date him. Art and Gertrude (Dukey) Schwartzberg were married May 1,1946 and subsequently had three children. Sadly, they only shared 19 years together before Dukey passed away from breast cancer in 1965. Art, with the help of Dukey's mother Julia and Eura Darrett, raised their children. Nine years later he married Anita Krakower, and they shared 38 years of love, caring, and adventure while traveling the world. Unfortunately, Anita passed away in 2012. Art spent the majority of his professional career in management at Oshman's Sporting Goods. He later became a commercial real estate broker. Art leaves behind a legacy of hard work, honesty, and love. He was a true gentleman who could always be counted on by family and friends. Art is survived by his children Melanie and Les Schwartzberg, Michael Kotlen, and Risa and David Streusand; grandchildren Gail Cervantes, Louis and Caryn Schwartzberg, Lauren Kotlen and Joseph Kitch, Molly and Joel Rabinovitz, Evan and Jackie Streusand, Abby Streusand and Gabe Greenberg, and Jenna and Elan Kahalnik; and 14 great grandchildren Graiden, Mia, Lila, William, Alex, Siena, Chiara, Isabel, Adra, Raziel, Rayna, Ezi, Asa, and Shai. The family is forever grateful to Sharon Weber, Nell Young, Oby Oyeka, and Cashuna Anthony for their love and devotion to Art over the last six years of his life. Services were held on Monday, August 15 at 11:00AM at Emanu El Memorial Park 8341 Bissonnet with Rabbi Gabe Greenberg officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the cancer research fund at MD Anderson, the Houston Food Bank, Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, or the charity of your choice. Please click link to view the service: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1660271700982344

Arthur Kotlen

September 17, 1921 - August 10, 2022