Daniel D. Kalem, 90, of Springfield, NJ died on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 in his home.
Mr. Kalem was the founder of the KRA (Kalem Rekoon) Insurance Agency, Springfield, of which he was affiliated for over 40 years. He was then the Coordinator of Counseling on Health Insurance for Medicare Enrollees (CHIME) of Union County, for which he also trained volunteers. He often spoke to senior groups and has written extensively on Medicare issues for seniors.
He was the recipient of the prestigious Certificate of Merit presented by the Health Care Finance Administration.
Dan Kalem was deeply committed to public service and volunteerism for most of his life. Since 1955, he was an active member of the Springfield First Aid Squad, serving several years as its president. He also served as the president of the Union/Essex Chapter of the Mended Hearts and was a member of the Rotary Club of Springfield. He and his late wife Susanne were founding members of Temple Beth Ahm of Springfield.
Mr. Kalem was affiliated with Overlook Hospital in Summit for many years and served as Medicare Coordinator for Union County. A graduate of City College of New York, he studied Russian at Yale University and taught Insurance at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
A veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, he served as a war correspondent.
Born in the Bronx, he lived in Springfield since 1950.
Predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Susanne (nee Hallo) and his daughter Jeanette Kalem, he is survived by his daughters, Allyson Aborn and her husband, Bruce Doniger, Toni Kalem and her husband, Billy Pryor, and Rachel Funcheon and her husband Bill Funcheon, his grandchildren, Matthew, Jennifer, Rebecca, Emily and Andrew, and his great-grandson, Kaleb Daniel.
Funeral services were held at Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, 60 Temple Dr., Springfield, NJ on Friday, November 30, 2012. Interment followed at B’nai Abraham Memorial Park, Union, NJ. Arrangements were by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, 2950 Vauxhall Rd., Union, NJ.
Donations to the Springfield First Aid Squad may be made in Dan Kalem’s honor.
