Dr. Raphael Wolpert, 93, passed away suddenly, on January 4, 2018 in Tampa, FL. Ray was born in Lake City, SC in 1924. He grew up in Loris, SC where his parents, Barney and Katie Wolpert, owned and operated Wolpert’s Department Store. He attended The Citadel in Charleston, SC, class of ’45, and was very proud to be a Life Member of the Citadel Alumni Association. After service in the U.S. Army during World War II, he graduated from the Medical College of Virginia Dental School (now VCU), and then served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, he established a dental practice in the small rural farm community of Marion, SC, serving the residents for over 40 years, at times being the only dentist in Marion. He married Lois Fox in 1953. They had two children, and lived in Marion for 55 years. He was extremely active in his community. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, Past Master of Clinton Lodge #60 A.F.M., a member of Omar Shrine Temple, and was involved with the Marion Civitan Club. Ray especially enjoyed serving as a member of the board of directors of Pee Dee Federal Savings Bank for 37 years, as Chairman for almost 10 of those years, with a scholarship at Francis Marion University established in 2008 in honor of his service. He was a dedicated lifelong member of Beth Israel Congregation in Florence, SC. He served as its president, on various committees, and chaired a Future Expansion Committee after being on the Building Committee that funded and oversaw the construction of the addition of a new social hall, kitchen, and classrooms completed in 1970. He was instrumental in establishing the Endowment Fund for perpetual financial support of his beloved congregation. Ray loved spending his leisure time basking in the sun at his vacation home in Garden City Beach, SC. In 2008, Ray and Lois moved to Aston Gardens, an independent living retirement community in Tampa, FL. They were very happy in Tampa and enjoyed an active life together, taking advantage of many social and sports activities, eating out often, making many new friends, and spending time with family and old friends. Lois passed away in 2015. Ray continued to live at Aston Gardens. He enjoyed his independence, good health, an alert mind, amazing friends, and family to the end. Ray was predeceased by his older brother Robert Wolpert and sister Bertie Fischbein. He is survived by his son Geoffrey (Pat) Wolpert and daughter Marcy (Johnny) Bunn, seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 4 at 11:00 am at Beth Israel Congregation. In lieu of flowers, family suggests that donations may be made to Beth Israel Congregation, 316 S Park Ave, Florence, SC 29501.
Posted in: The Sun News
Posted on: 2018-01-11
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/myrtlebeachonline/obituary.aspx?n=raphael-wolpert&pid=187801226&fhid=14653