Tribute to Abram Barkan

Realtor Abram Barkan Dies at 87

Wednesday, April 19, 2006
By Barbara Jarvie

New York City - Prominent New York realtor Abram Barkan died April 17 of complications associated with Alzheimer's disease. He was 87.

Born in Brooklyn, he was referred to as the "Dean of Appraisers." Barkan had a career in commercial real estate that spanned 61 years. Most of his career was spent with James Felt Realty Services, where he began as their office clerk, the day after graduating from high school. Under the tutelage of his mentor Jack Felt, Barkan rose through the ranks, eventually becoming president of the company during the 1970s. With his long-time partner and friend Henry Hart Rice, he also engineered the sale of James Felt Realty to Grubb & Ellis.

Assignments he worked on during his career included the redevelopment of Roosevelt Island and the development of Reston, VA. He was lead appraiser for the US Railway Association representing the US Government in the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad. His client base included RH Macy, Metropolitan Life Insurance, Chase Manhattan Bank, Rockefeller Center, and ABC Television.

According to his son, Martin, "he will be remembered by his colleagues for his complex real estate problem solving prowess, his exceptionally ethical standards and personable demeanor." Barkan also served as national president of the Counselors of Real Estate, president of the New York Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, and was a longstanding governor of the Real Estate Board of New York. He also served as president of Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston, NJ.

"We are saddened by the loss of Abe Barkan, former REBNY governor, who was an active and dedicated member for more than 50 years," says Steven Spinola, REBNY president. "Abe was one of our industry's most distinguished and respected appraisers."

Barkan served in the US Army during World War II. As a member of the 82nd Airborne Division he was among the first American Soldiers to land in Normandy on D-Day by glider. He was wounded in action in Normandy and again during the allied airborne invasion of Holland in September 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart and other citations for his service.

He and the late Grace Barkan were married for 51 years and had three sons, the late Leonard, Irwin, and Martin. Irwin and Martin followed their father into the real estate industry. Barkan is also survived by four grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to: ENRM VA Hospital, Voluntary Services Unit 62 AB, Attn: Voluntary Services, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.

Abe's 50 Years at Felt
In 1986 Abe celebrated 50 years in the real estate business. We secretly designed a card and had it signed by all of his industry buddies. It was a very proud moment for all of us. If you can't read the writing, here are the signatories. It is quite a group and a testament to Abe's ability to keep and make friends with some of the world's toughest businessmen.

Obituary

Abram Barkan 1919-2006

Prominent New York Realtor for over 60 years.

Past National President, American Society of Real Estate Counselors.

Past Governor, Real Estate Board of New York.

Abram Barkan died, Monday April 17, 2006 in Bedford, MA at the of age 87 of complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 22, 1919 to Russian immigrant parents, David and Ida Barkan.  

Often referred to as the “Dean of Appraisers,” Mr. Barkan had a distinguished career in commercial real estate that spanned 61 years. Most of Abe’s career was spent with James Felt Realty Services, where he began his career as their office clerk, the day after graduating from New Utrecht High School. Under the tutelage of his mentor Jack Felt, Abe Barkan rose through the ranks of the Felt Organization, eventually becoming President of the company during the 1970s. He served as National President of the Counselors of Real Estate, President of the New York Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and was a longstanding Governor of the Real Estate Board of New York. With his long time partner and friend Henry Hart Rice, Abram Barkan built James Felt Realty Services into one of the premier real estate service companies based in New York City and active throughout North America. Abe and Henry engineered the sale of James Felt Realty to Grubb & Ellis, providing the Grubb & Ellis Company with a national platform and New York base of operations. Abe worked on many landmark assignments during his career such as the Redevelopment of Roosevelt Island, Development of Reston, Virginia and Lead Appraisal Expert for the US Railway Association representing the US Government in the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad. He was very proud of his long term relationships with clients such as R.H. Macy, Metropolitan Life Insurance, Chase Manhattan Bank, Rockefeller Center and many others. Abe will be remembered by his colleagues for his complex real estate problem solving prowess, his exceptionally ethical standards and personable demeanor.

 Abram Barkan was proud to have served in the United States Army during World War II.  As a member of the elite 82nd Airborne Division he was among the first American soldiers to land in Normandy on D-Day by glider. He was wounded in action in Normandy and again, far more seriously during the allied airborne invasion of Holland in September, 1944. Abe was awarded the Purple Heart and other citations for his brave service during wartime. During the last 3 ½ years of his life, Abe lived in the GRECC Long Term Care Center at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts. He received extraordinary care from each and every member of the staff. The Veterans Administration runs one of the foremost research and care facilities in the country for men and women suffering from dementia related illnesses. Many like Abe Barkan, who bravely risked their lives and served their country during World War II.

Abe and the late Grace Barkan were married for 51 years and had three sons, the late Leonard Barkan, Irwin Barkan and Martin Barkan. Irwin and Martin followed their Father into the Real Estate Industry and both were invited to membership into the American Society of Real Estate Counselors.

Irwin and his wife Lindsay Smith Barkan live in Waitsfield, Vermont with Abe’s three grandsons, Zachary, Taylor and Wesley. Martin and his wife Julie Picard Barkan live in Sherman Oaks, California with Abe’s granddaughter Melanie. Abram Barkan was very active in charitable and community service organizations in Essex County, New Jersey where he lived with his family. He served as President of Temple B’nai Abraham in Livingston, New Jersey, where he and Grace were very active members.

 A funeral service will be held at Temple B’nai Abraham, Livingston, NJ on Thursday April 20th at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made in his name to:

ENRM VA Hospital

Voluntary Services Unit 62 AB
Attn.: Voluntary Services
200 Springs Rd, Bedford, MA 01730