Longtime Oak Park boardmember survives a stroke

A member of the Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) Board of Education was found on his couch in the living room with blood trickling down his chin on the morning of New Year’s Eve. He was rushed to the hospital and on Jan. 19, he woke out of his coma and asked his wife not to forget to make their car payment.

Bob Kahn, 71, has been a member of the OPUSD board for three terms since 1989. His wife, Eileen, has been his campaign manager then and since.

"The board is good for him, but he’s good for the board," said Eileen Kahn.

Bob has diabetes, and his doctor believed that the stroke he had on Dec. 29 might very well have been a diabetic seizure. When Eileen discovered her husband on the morning of Dec. 31, Bob was in critical condition. The next day wasn’t any better when he developed a case of pneumonia.

"Miracles happen in Oak Park," said Eileen, quoting a slogan of the community. She explained that she was given great assistance and caring during her husband’s misfortune.

"My favorite two ‘F’ words are friends and family," said Eileen Kahn as she described the help given. With a determination to live, Bob was checked into the Woodland Care Center in Reseda a week ago and he’s scheduled to come back home in two or three months.

Bob won’t miss the next school board meeting on Feb. 20. With the assistance of his wife and other boardmembers, he’ll show up and immediately return to Reseda following the meeting.

Bob’s involved with physical therapy seven mornings a week, but was still able to celebrate 32 years of marriage on Feb. 2.

"After getting married and having a son," said Eileen Kahn, "the best move after those was moving to Oak Park." As a resident since the late 70s, Eileen Kahn is very grateful for the place in which she lives, the district on which her husband serves and the community of people who’ve helped in tough times.