Herman Kaufman, 94, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sondra, and survived by his dear friend, Jill Brody, his sister, Marcia Cohen, his children, Russell (Mona) Kaufman, Benjamin Kaufman, and Karyn (Michael) Blane, his grandchildren Daniel Kaufman (Samantha Nudelman), Mia Kaufman (Cole Eisenshtadt), Max Blane (Ariana LaRosa), and Ellie Blane, his great-grandson, Hershel Kaufman, his nephew, Jeff Cohen (Marion Buchsbaum), his niece, Faye (Ron) Hyman, as well as several grandnieces, grandnephews, and a great-grandnephew.

Born in the Bronx to Harry and Esther Kaufman, Herman was a longtime resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania. In the early 2000s, Herman and Sondra began spending winters at Century Village in West Palm Beach, Florida, eventually expanding to year-round residency in the Sunshine State. In 2021, they relocated to Wingate on the East Side in Providence, Rhode Island, to have closer support from their daughter, Karyn, and son-in-law Michael.

Herman was a graduate of Scranton Central High School, an industrial engineering major at Penn State University, and received his law degree at Temple University. He held a variety of government and private sector jobs through the years, until deciding—some twenty years later— to take the bar exam while working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Welfare. There he served in various capacities, most notably as the commissioner of income maintenance and as a hearing officer for the Commonwealth.

Nothing brought more joy to Herman than his family, but good conversation over a cup of coffee (with something chocolate on the side) finished a close second. Engaging him on any topic, from biblical archeology, to politics, to stock options, brought forth a discourse that was always informed, rich, and spirited. With his endearing smile and kind words, he made friends everywhere he went and treated everyone he met like family (though he did reserve a very special category of affection solely for his grandchildren). His deeply caring, playfully humorous, and lovingly generous nature brightened even the most radiant of days for all who knew him.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, May 13th at 1 p.m. at the Dalton Jewish Cemetery, 105 Shoemaker Road in Dalton, PA, officiated by Rabbi Mordechai Dov Fine.

There is no local shiva in Pennsylvania.