Raymond Alex Kahn

Ray (as he loved to be called) was born in New York City to Marion and Manfred Kahn, who had immigrated as refugees from Nazi Germany. Marion was a gifted artist while Manfred worked for large fur companies as a buyer of raw pelts. Ray lost his mother to breast cancer at the age of seven and was largely raised by his maternal grandmother, Sophie Croner, who had been a public health nurse in Berlin before the war. Ray was fortunate to attend some of New York City’s finest public schools, graduating from the Bronx High School of Science. While most of his peers attended City College in New York, Ray migrated north to McGill University in Montreal for an undergraduate degree in honors psychology and then went on to graduate from McGill University’s School of Medicine in 1973, coming first in his class in pharmacology. Along the way, while working as a summer camp counsellor in the Laurentian Mountains, Ray met Leora, the love of his life. They were married in 1973 and moved to New York City, where Ray began his residency in pediatrics at Babies Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Two years later, Ray and Leora moved to Boston where Ray completed his residency at Boston City Hospital. After additional training in Montreal, focused on pediatric pathology, followed by two years in a busy pediatric practice in Watertown, New York, Ray joyfully left the snow-covered Northeast in 1979 to begin a vibrant pediatric practice in the warmer Greater Houston area. Over the course of five decades, Ray built one of the largest independent pediatric practices in Texas, caring for thousands of children and teaching medical students, nurses, and residents. His loyalty to his patients was legendary, and the longevity of his practice often resulted in his caring for two or three generations within the same families. Ray also served on the faculty of three medical schools in Texas, and for many years was an Examiner for the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2025, Ray was recognized for “Excellence in Pediatric Teaching” by The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. Ray’s greatest pride was his family. Leora, his wife of 52 years, was his rock. Together they raised their children, Mark, a venture capitalist, and Marielle, who earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience. Ray took immense joy in their accomplishments. He adored their spouses, Katharina and Gary, as well as their own accomplishments. Ray loved being a grandfather to Anushri and more recently, Eleonore. Ray was a true Renaissance man. He loved the arts, music, and especially musical theatre. He and Leora regularly attended opening nights of the Houston Ballet. Ray was also an avid reader and enjoyed being a member of a Men’s Book Club. Ray also looked forward to Saturday mornings where he participated in the Torah Study group at Congregation Beth Israel. He would come away always awed by the lessons learned. Ray was preceded in death by his mother, Marion Kahn, and his father, Manfred Kahn. He is survived by his wife, Leora, his son, Mark and wife, Katharina, his daughter, Marielle and husband, Gary, his granddaughters, Anushri and Eleonore, his brother, David Kahn, his mother-in-law, Rachel Teicher, Leora’s twin sister, Avivith, and husband, William Oppenheim, and a large extended family. A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 11:00 am in the Herman and Elaine Proler Chapel at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden, 1101 Antoine Dr., Houston, Tx, 77055. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Adult Education Fund at Congregation Beth Israel (www.beth-israel.org/giving) or to Greene Family Camp’s Scholarship Fund (www.greene.org/support).

Raymond Alex Kahn

January 16, 1948 - June 9, 2026