03/02/2026
With heavy hearts, we share that Harvey Kaufman passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of February 23. He was laid to rest on February 25, surrounded by family, dear friends and colleagues.
Harvey was the youngest of the Robert Kaufman children and joined his brothers, Saul and Alvin, in building what would become Robert Kaufman Co., Inc. For more than six decades, he poured himself into the company - not simply into growing a business, but into building relationships. He was a natural salesman in the fullest sense of the word: he celebrated the highs, steadied himself and others through the lows, and never lost his belief in people.
He built our sales force across the United States and around the world. He was the driving force behind the creation and expansion of Kona Cotton. But if you asked Harvey what mattered most, it would not have been a product line or a milestone - it would have been the people around the table.
He mentored the Kaufman generation that followed his and guided countless employees and sales professionals over the years. Many careers were shaped by his encouragement, his candor, and his faith in what others could achieve.
At his retirement celebration in December 2024, he said words that now feel like a blessing to all of us:
“It’s been a wonderful journey for me and I’m so filled with gratitude because of who you are, what I have contributed to each one of you, and more importantly what you have contributed to me. You can work for over 60 years to build something, but the building of it isn’t so much; it is truly what’s sitting at the table tonight. I love all of you and I wish you nothing but continued success."
Harvey is survived by his children, Ron and his wife Sandy, Ilana, and Gill, and by his grandchildren, Zachary and his wife Tracey, Noah, and Jordan. He was a devoted husband to Bella for 57 years, and we take comfort in imagining them reunited.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to a charity of your choice that reflects the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam - repairing the world.
To all of you - employees, customers, and colleagues - thank you for being part of the work and the relationships that meant so much to him. This company was one of the great loves of his life, and each of you played a role in that journey.
Harvey’s presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit remains woven into this company and into the lives of all who worked alongside him.
May his memory be a blessing.
-The Kaufman Family
