On June 29, Harold Kuptzin, 93, died peacefully at the Casey House. A World War II veteran, Kuptzin rose to the rank of technical sergeant and earned three battle star awards for Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland. He proudly wore his World War II veteran hat everywhere he went. Before enlisting, Kuptzin received a bachelor’s degree in social science at the City College of New York.
After the war, he earned a master’s degree in economics from American University. Before retiring, he was an assistant director of the U.S. Employment Service of the Department of Labor. He was an authority on employment problems and redevelopment programs.
Kuptzin created a number of pioneering studies on employment and unemployment, and was instrumental in the creation of a computerized job bank program for public employment offices.
The main editor of many employment related publications, including the Area Manpower Guide and the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, he received more than a dozen special labor department honors, including the departmental Distinguished Career Service Award upon his retirement.
Eventually residing in Leisure World, Kuptzin was an active volunteer and a regular on the tennis court and golf course.
He had a passion for discovery and travel, venturing to Russia to find family members who may have survived the Holocaust.
He continued his love of economics into his 90s, giving presentations on income inequality at the Holiday Park Senior Center, where he was a vocal participant at numerous discussion groups, representing the position of those with less means than he.
Kuptzin is survived by Lenore, his loving wife of 63 years, his daughters Michelle Kuptzin and Janis Fagan, his son-in-law Bruce Fagan, and his two grandchildren, Michael and Melissa Fagan.
Funeral services were held July 2 at the Judean Memorial Gardens Chapel in Olney. Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery Hospice-Casey House, 6001 Muncaster Mill Rd, Rockville, MD, 20855 or Hebrew Home of Greater Washington 6121 Montrose Rd., Rockville, MD 20852.
