Jacob Joseph “Jack” Epstein

Jacob Joseph “Jack” Epstein, 96, died February 6, 2023, in Lawrence, Kansas after a brief illness.  He was born on November 5, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Israel and Rachel Epstein. 

During his childhood, Jack enjoyed reading; he studied Latin and German.  He loved to tinker and figure out how things worked.  He graduated from Forest Hills High School at age 16.  He then attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio for 2 years, until he was drafted into the US Navy, where he became a Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class.  After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, he returned to Oberlin, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Jack was employed in New York in the Chemistry Laboratory of Jo-Lo Foods Company. In 1950, he married Ruth Cohen before being transferred to the Jo-Lo plant in Melrose Park, Illinois. He served as plant manager at Jo-Lo for about twenty years. The company produced whole egg and dried egg products – an area in which Jack excelled as he developed his career as a Food Scientist.  His kids loved when he would bring home fresh donuts from the company test kitchen.

While living in suburban Chicago, the Epsteins were one of eight families to start the Reform Jewish TreeTowns Congregation (now Congregation Etz Chaim of Lombard, IL) which has since grown to nearly 500 families.  Jack was active in the congregation and served as its second congregation president.

In 1969, the family moved to Topeka, Kansas, where Jack worked at Seymour Foods, Inc., serving as Director of Quality Control and Director of Product Development.  He later started his own company, Midland Foods, a company that made different egg products, including freeze-dried eggs and frozen omelets for institutions. Jack had several food processes and related devices patented during his career.  

Jack and Ruth were members of Temple Beth Sholom in Topeka for approximately 50 years.  In 1999 they moved to Lawrence. Jack’s hobbies included playing chess, ham radio and enjoying & collecting classical music.  He taught himself basic plumbing and electrical work and finished two basements by himself. He loved to build things and was also a talented sketch artist.  While in Lawrence, Jack participated in charity work for Meals On Wheels. 

Jack was preceded in death by Ruth, his wife of 70 years, who died in 2020. He leaves his daughter, Francie Costello (Tom), also of Lawrence, KS, his son, Howard (Nancy), of Long Beach, CA and grandchildren Rachael Costello, Jacob Costello (Sadie) and Nina Epstein.

A small, private family service is planned at Beni Israel Cemetery in Eudora, Kansas on Tuesday, February 14. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated with Warren-McElwain Funeral Home in Lawrence, KS (warrenmcelwain.com).

PLEASE, NO FLOWERS.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Jack’s memory be directed to any of the following worthy charity organizations, all with online options:

• Congregation Etz Chaim, ( mycec.org/donate  )
   Fund of your choice, but recommend Barbara Baruch School Scholarship Fund.  
  Congregation Etz Chaim, 1710 S. Highland Ave, Lombard, IL 60148
  
  
• Temple Beth Sholom Maimonides Fund  ( https://tbsgiving.com/give/). To make a one-time donation, click on the “Include a donation with my order” option and in the comment box enter “Maimonides Fund in memory of Jack Epstein”.  Amounts are customizable by clicking.
  Temple Beth Sholom, 4200 SW Munson, Topeka, KS 66604-1818

• LJCC Fund for the Care of B’nai Israel Cemetery (https://ljcc.shulcloud.com/payment.php )
  Lawrence Jewish Community Center, 917 Highland Drive, Lawrence, KS 66044