Beautiful words from the Himmelfarbs

Memories of Avi
I wish you all condolences on the loss of your beloved husband and father.  Avi was a warm, intelligent and generous person, who welcomed us from the moment we moved into the neighborhood. I remember the many ways in which he was always welcoming and giving--He gave a warm hello whenever he saw us and offered invitations and introductions to every newcomer.  He gave medical emergency consultations and throat cultures along with giggles for every baby and small child. He provided commiseration about Pesach preparations along with delicious recipes (I regularly use his recipe for lamb stew.) He shared interesting news and commentary about world events. He always showed interest in the successes and well-being of our family and he regularly shared with us the love that he felt for his family and the pride he felt about the development and many accomplishments of his children.  I know that his memory is a blessing to all of you and to all of us who were fortunate to have known him for decades as friends and neighbors.
With warmest sympathy,
Sabine

It is a few months since Avi Z”L passed away.  The neighborhood is emptier, especially for us.   Seeing Avi around, or even knowing he was around when we didn’t see him, was a source of comfort.  It gave our connection to the street and the neighbors a warmer feeling, and his absence is strongly felt.  We remember with fondness and amazement the call we received in Columbus Ohio from Nancy, inviting us for our first Shabbat in Silver Spring.  Although, we had been to Kemp Mill for the 4th of July weekend and met numerous people, we had not met any Karkowskys;  so the invitation to us strangers seemed very kind.  Over the years, we learned that the “first Shabbos invitation” was being extended by your family to many people new to the community, which is even more impressive (and we were happy to know that the experience with us did not persuade you to discontinue this kindness ).
Avi’s generosity of spirit was always evident in shul as well.  I was continually surprised by how many people he knew, how he would run to find out how someone was doing because he was aware of something that was going on with that person or his family.  These connections went well beyond the connections we all have to our own age peers.  There was a real love for human beings and fellow Jews that knew no arbitrary age boundaries; and as mentioned at the funeral, there was the famous Karkowsky handshake for almost every child that got near him.  But more than that, every child got a big warm smile from Dr. Karkowsky.  It was genuine.  When our grandchildren were in town, Avi would ask to come in and see them.  If he had a big heart for others, it was doubly true for babies and little children. 
During the last several years, Avi and I would go for walks on Sunday.  Had I known that such opportunities would be so time-limited, I would have been more diligent about not passing up any chances to walk with him.  Our conversations were a chance to catch up on what everyone was doing.  He was so proud of his children and their accomplishments.  All of you!  After discussing with one another happenings and concerns in our children’s lives, he would say to me reassuringly (not that I needed it), “You have good kids.”  I would respond with, “You too!”  To which he would say in an elongated fashion, “I knooow.” 
It was also an opportunity to discuss anything else that came to mind, from work, to finances, to world politics.  We often didn’t agree on many of the issues raised, but the closeness we felt for each other allowed us to agree to disagree.
The one thing we never discussed was his cancer.   Consequently, we are still feeling the shock of the suddenness (to us at least) of his untimely departure.    Nevertheless, we are comforted by fond memories, and we hope all of you will be too. 
Yehi Zichro Baruch.
Fondly,
Chaim