Irving Raphael Isaacs
ISAACS: On Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, Irving Raphael Isaacs; Irving was born October 19, 1917 in Indianapolis, IN to Bernard and Belle Isaacs. Irving, one of four children (Annette, Ruben and Emanuel), affectionately known as “Rip” to family and friends, was brought up in Detroit, MI where Bernard was Superintendent of Hebrew Schools. Irving graduated from University of Michigan where he met his wife Martha Lillian Horelick from Pittsburgh, PA. Married in 1941, Irving and Martha moved to Pittsburgh. After working together as commercial photographers, Irving joined Pennsylvania Transformer Company as Advertising Manager. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp during WW II and served as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was a Radar Observer/Bombardier. He left Pennsylvania Transformer in 1962 after winning several national awards for direct mail advertising. During this time Irving became President of Temple Emanuel of South Hills and served as building chairman. He was President of The Jewish Chronicle from 1969 to 1972 and was involved with numerous charitable causes. Irving continued to work in communications and owned and ran several businesses over the years. Trained in commercial art, Irving was an outstanding artist with pen and ink, oil and later batik and pottery. His humor was legendary as was his engaging personality and his ability to communicate and relate with family, friends and strangers. Many sought him out for counsel. He loved to fish, particularly for Muskie in Wisconsin and Canada and was an avid horseman. Irving is survived by three children and three grandchildren: Marjorie (Isaacs) Newman, husband Martin Newman and son Adam Newman; David G. Isaacs, wife Shannon and son Reid; Jeffrey A. Isaacs, wife Jeanne and son Jonathan; brother Emanuel. Beloved wife Martha passed away in 2007. Rip maintained his sense of humor even in his declining years. He was an outstanding husband, father and friend whose physical presence will be missed but whose enduring memory will be cherished. Graveside Services and Interment were held on at West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. The family requests any donations be made to Forbes Hospice, 4800 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 or the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at UPMC, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc.
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