Kevin Spiegel couldn't sleep in the early hours on June 24. He was on his way to California as an administrator for a hospital. It was now 1 AM. He looked at his phone, and saw that a building had been destroyed in Surfside.He realized that it was his home when he saw the site of the collapse. He searched Google for photos and found his house completely leveled. Judy Spiegel, his wife, was there. She is still missing.Kevin boarded the quickest flight to Miami, where he met his three children. Kevin was first responder himself. He started as a firefighter, and later joined the board of directors for New York City 911.These are the stories and names of those who were killed or missing in the Surfside condo fire.This is quite a scene. Kevin stated that it looked like a bomb had exploded and the building was more wreckage than it is building. Although I have been to many disaster areas, this is the first time that I've ever been there.Judy, 65, loves her family and is a dedicated mother, grandmother, and philanthropist.She was an amazing person. Kevin said Judy was a great person. She is beautiful.Both Kevin and Judy grew up in Long Island, New York. They met in New York City in 1978, when Judy was a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch. Kevin recalls their first date at his father's house, and the James Taylor concert that they attended early in their relationship. They were married in 1982, and they started a family.The Spiegel family at Rachel's wedding.Judy quit her job in the stock market after their children were born and began volunteering in fundraising and philanthropy to hospitals. Kevin admired a particular project she completed: a hospital art program. She revamped an entire hospital and replaced the boring posters on its walls with artwork from local artists.This huge hospital was completely transformed by her. Kevin stated that it makes a huge difference and is amazing.Continue the storyThe family lived in Ohio 20 years ago and saw that Eva Schloss, a Holocaust survivor and memoirist, was visiting town for several speaking engagements. Eva and Judy quickly became close friends after Judy offered to take Eva out for dinner. Eva's work quickly attracted Judy and she began to go along with her on speaking tours. According to Kevin, the two talk every day.Judy and Kevin Spiegel during a recent California trip.Five and a quarter years ago, the couple purchased the Champlain Towers apartment as a second home. However, they later moved in full-time to be near their daughter, Rachel, 4 and granddaughter Scarlett, 4, who now live in Miami.Kevin stated that Judy was close to her grandmother as a child and tried to create the same bond with Scarlett. Their daughter Rachel is a hospital manager and Judy managed most of Scarlett's childcare during the pandemic.Kevin stated that it is very difficult to explain to her. Scarlett asked me where grandma was the other day, and I tried explaining that there had been an accident. Scarlett replied, "Oh, she does that all the time. But I know all her hiding places. Just take me there. Ill find her."
