Arnold G. Kratchman, affectionately known as “Arnie” to friends and family, passed away at the age of 91 on August 14, 2026.
Arnie lived a life characterized by love, dedication, and an unyielding quest for knowledge. Born on May 23, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Helen and Alex Kratchman, Arnie spent his entire life as a proud resident of the Kansas City area. His journey was a testament to resilience and the pursuit of personal growth, from his early education at Paseo High School, through his time at the University of Missouri, to his service as Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, and later his successful career in business.
After the Army, Arnie went into business with his father, operating several apartment buildings, but knowing that this was not what he wanted as a permanent career, he joined Dun and Bradstreet, and after years in the reporting department, his on-the-job training took him into new and innovative fields in the company from training new employees to Trade Tape Specialist, utilizing business and bank computers for customer payment records. He was on the ground floor of this new system and was totally successful. That was Arnie, a dedicated man, a thorough man, a researcher and innovator.
After 27 years, he took an early business buy-out to care for his wife, Nancy, who was terminally ill – he remained the same thorough and dedicated person, and added to this, loving and caring skills. He loved his children and was always available to them, encouraging them to make their own life choices. His skills became enhanced with the love and devotion he showed to his second wife, Joe Ann and her children.
He had a tough exterior, demanding perfection; his true character was comprised of his quest for knowledge and his warm heart. His second wife, Joe Ann died at 5:02pm on 4/18/2020 of cancer after 26 years as a loving wife to Arnie, at Kansas City Hospice House, as Arnie stood by her bedside. She had saved his life after Nancy had died and had given him a new life.
His retirement years were spent enjoying life with his family, his friends, his passion for cars, mostly new (and always clean) and utilizing yet another set of skills at home; repairing things, keeping up the yard – doing all this with a smile and the warmth of perfection he demanded of himself and others.
Arnold was preceded in death by his wives, Nancy in 1994 and Joe Ann in 2020, his parents, his brother Niles and his wife Terri, and his sister Norma Bradley.
He is survived by his children: Jeff Kratchman of Overland Park, Jill Roberts (Mike) of Grandview, Jamie Himpel (James) of New York, stepchildren: Terry Levine (Julie) of Leawood, Marcie Meyer (Michael) of Omaha, Robyn Schwartz (Ron) of Chicago, grandchildren: Mackenzie (Stefan) Miller, Phil (Phoebe) Roberts, Brady and Reiley Himpel, and one great-grandchild, Coraline Miller; Adam, Samantha and Elliot Levine, Steven and Rachel Meyer, Evi, Noa, Mati and Shai Schwartz as well as his brother, Steve (Carmen).
Funeral services will be held on Monday, 17 Aug 2026 at 11:30am at the Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri, 64131. Burial to follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Obituary published by Louis Memorial Chapel.
