Horace Mann - Spring 2017 - 60

Memorials

Howard Hornstein '55,
Land Use and Zoning Attorney
Horace Mann School regrets to report the death of Howard Hornstein
'55 on October 3, 2016 after a long battle with Parkinson's. A partner in the law firm of Fischbein Badillo Wagner Harding in New York
from 1976 to 1984, he was a member of the New York City Planning
Commission, and a Land Use and Zoning lawyer in NYC since the early
1970s. Howard Hornstein earned his B.A. from Dickinson College and
his Doctorate in Law from New York University. He is survived by his
wife Bonnie; his children Robert, Alice, Sara, Melissa, and Jess; three
grandchildren and a niece.

Daniel H. Levy '60, Retail Executive
and Business Consultant
Horace Mann School notes the death of Daniel H. Levy '60 on August 3,
2014 in Sarasota, Fla. In fall 2016 his brother, Dr. Raymond Levy '66 submitted the following memorial tribute: "Sometimes a loved one's death
clarifies one's thoughts about their life. And sometimes a loved one lived
a life that was clear for its focus, values, likes and dislikes, loves and
desires. The life of Daniel Levy was the latter. He knew what he wanted
from life, always figured out a path to succeed in finding it, never accepted obstacles along the way, maintained high standards and worked
as long and as hard as necessary to achieve his goals. He was bold in his
vision and confirmed in his view of the world.
"Dan died peacefully in Sarasota Memorial Hospital on August 3,
2014, 71 years after his New York City beginnings. Family gathered at his
bedside, accompanying him in his final days, made easier by his acceptance. Dan had been a leader throughout his life. His parents were role
models for leadership as his mother Susanna was president of her high
school class and gained admission to Swarthmore College in 1932, a
rare achievement for women of her era. His father Bernard owned and
built a successful wholesale fur business in New York's garment district
and was honored for his contributions to the industry.
"To his family, friends and associates, Dan was born to success
and leadership. After attending Wharton School at the University
of Pennsylvania, he began his career in the Executive Management
Program at Bloomingdale's and was quickly promoted. Dan's first Senior
Management position was at Kaufmann's in Pittsburgh followed by his
appointment to Chairman and CEO at Gimbel's Pittsburgh and eventually to Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer with Montgomery
Ward. After leaving retail, Dan established his own consulting company
where his expertise enabled him to problem-solve for troubled businesses.
"At the same time that Dan was known for his seriousness of purpose and determination at work, he also had an ever-present sense of
humor and fun-loving nature. His humor was fueled by his intelligence
and his direct approach to relationships with friends and associates. For
nearly all of his 71 years ... he was a passionate New York Yankees fan,
following them with the competitive fervor he was known for. In addition
to a lifetime of professional leadership, Dan was quickly recognized as
possessing the analytic skills to serve on the Board of The Founders
Club, Sarasota, Fla. and to be the president of his condominium apartment building in Sarasota during his retirement. He was the central
figure in his extended family, aware of everyone's successes, satisfactions, challenges and dilemmas. He was always willing to give advice
when asked and had the clarity to suggest paths to success for friends,

Horace Mann Magazine Spring 2017

colleagues and family members. He leaves his wife of 32 years, Gayle,
who he always knew he was fortunate to find. He also leaves his beloved
sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Ivey, and Alan and Tasha. In
addition, he leaves two grandchildren, Paul and EJ who brought him
great joy. His retirement allowed Dan to be consistently attentive and
emotionally generous to Paul and EJ. He also leaves his younger brother
Ray and his nephew and nieces, Ben, Hannah and Brenna. He leaves his
in-laws, Violet, Brad, and Joan."

Michael Kropp '63,
Bluegrass Musician
Horace Mann School regrets to note the death
of Michael (Mike) Kropp '63 on November 10,
2015 of pancreatic cancer at age 70. Born in
New York Mike ("Duke") Kropp learned to play
banjo at a young age and was known throughout HM for his bluegrass music. Part of New
York's folk music scene in the 1960s Bluegrass
Today described Kropp as "a life-long banjo player and cherished friend
of the banjo and bluegrass community in the northeastern United
States." Kropp worked in music throughout his adult life. Starting out
with Columbia Records in the late 1960s he collaborated on projects
with John Hammond, José Feliciano, Carole King and more. Wrote
Bluegrass Today: "Boyhood friends with singer Don McLean the two
played banjo together as young men. They were reunited years later
when Mike was performing with Northern Lights, and played banjo on
Don's You've Got to Share: Songs for Children album in 2003. He
eventually settled in rural Rhode Island with his wife Janet and their
beloved dogs. Mike had his own music store in Connecticut before
becoming an independent manufacturer's rep, calling on music
retailers in New England for Fishman, Remo, Hughes & Kettner,
Modulus basses, and NS Design. He regularly served as an intermediary between U.S. banjo builders and Asian manufacturers. He was also
a banjo teacher of note. He worked with Northern Lights for 17 years,
assuming the banjo chair ... and was one of the longest serving
members of this group at the forefront of" 1980s progressive bluegrass. Kropp also recorded albums for Flying Fish and Revonah
Records, and helped found The Pegheads and The KroppDusters.
Before his death Kropp managed Banjo and Mandolin Camps North in
Massachusetts. Mike Kropp is survived by his wife Janet and brother
Richard Kropp '59. As Bluegrass Today wrote he "leaves behind a
multitude of friends and admirers from all his various efforts in the
music business."

Michael Hsu '65,
Phnom Penh Legend
Horace Mann School was saddened by the death of Michael Hsu '65 on
May 8, 2016 of an apparent heart attack at his legendary Sharky Bar in
Phnom Pen, Cambodia. Born in Shanghai Michael was raised in New
York City, and went from HM to Syracuse University where he studied finance and economics. He credited Horace Mann School with "inspiring"
him and "giving him the discipline" to become involved in international finance, investment banking and venture capital. In 2000, in tribute to his
HM education, Hsu donated to the school the wood sculpture "Andean
Tale" by artist, friend and classmate Jeffrey Brosk '65. The sculpture
hangs in Fisher Hall.

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