RAOUL KOPELMAN

GRAVESIDE SERVICES: TUESDAY, 07/25/2023, 11:00 AM AT ARBORCREST CEMETERY. Raoul Kopelman of Ann Arbor, MI, died July 20, 2023, at the age of 89. Raoul Kopelman was born in Vienna, Austria on October 21, 1933. His parents were Chaja Klara Mencel Koppelmann (Toporowce, at the time part of Galicia in the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1898 - 1974 Ann Arbor MI USA) and Josef Koppelmann (Pistyn, Galica 1877 - 1950 Tel Aviv, Israel). Raoul had three older sisters, who were daughters of Josef and Adele Kahane Koppelmann (Galicia ~1884 - 1927 Vienna): Anna Koppelmann Hellreich (Galicia 1907 - 1999 New York), Josephine Pepi Koppelmann Brod (Galicia 1908 - 1960 New York), and Franceska Franzi Koppelmann Alt (Vienna 1917 - 2007 Vienna). His father, Josef Koppelmann was a soldier in WW I, an entrepreneur, and founded Lux Film Gesellschaft, bringing sound films to the German speaking world and music-based films, including operettas. His mother, Klara Koppelmann had a classical German education and worked as an X-ray nurse. Raoul had a wonderful early childhood. It was disrupted by the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria in 1938. His father was arrested by the Nazis and spent 10 months in Buchenwald. Raoul and his parents escaped from Vienna on April 1, 1939 at night on a long train ride to Zurich, Switzerland. Later that month, they took a train to Trieste, Italy. An eight day boat ride on the Galilea brought them to Tel-Aviv on April 24. Raoul started elementary school on September 1, 1939, the day WW II began. His childhood classmates became close friends for 84 years. Tumultuous times followed. In this historical context, a belief in science as the key to a better future grew within him. While studying for his undergraduate degree in Haifa, Raoul met Chava Blodek, also from Vienna (1931, born Eva), who would be his wife of 62 years until her passing in 2017 (Ann Arbor). They married on September 15, 1955. Raoul Kopelman received his BS in Chemical Engineering at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology (1955), as well as an Engineering Diploma (1956) and an MS in Physical Chemistry (1957). He was the first Israeli to receive the US Fulbright Travel Grant (1957). He earned his Chemistry PhD at Columbia University (1960). He did his postdoctoral training at Harvard (1960-62). Dr. Raoul Kopelman became an expert on photonics, laser and bioanalytical chemistry, chemical physics, catalysis, nano-materials and nano-devices. He was a professor at the University of Michigan for 57 years (1966-2023); the Richard Smalley Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry, Physics, Applied Physics, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Biology; Member of The Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, The Michigan Biointerfaces Institute, and The Rogel Cancer Center. He mentored over 70 PhD students of Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics and Applied Physics, who launched successful academic careers as professors at primary universities, or pursued excellence in industry and government. Professor Kopelman has been celebrated for his leadership, research, and educator role in the materials nanoscience community, for key developments in percolation theory applications and fractal kinetics, and for developing NanoChemistry and NanoBiochemistry scientific paradigms and tools, integrating these into Nanomedicine to treat life-threatening diseases. Raoul Kopelman was a beacon of light to his family, his students, science, and medicine. He will be missed by family, friends, and colleagues around the world. Most of all by his three children and two granddaughters: Orion Kopelman (1962, Boston); Leeron Kopelman (1963, Haifa); Shirli Kopelman (1968, Ann Arbor) and her daughters Talia Kopelman (2009, Ann Arbor) and Yasmin Kopelman (2010, Ann Arbor). And by his nephews Manfred Brod (1934, Vienna) and Ernie Brod (1938, Vienna), and Dr. Alfred Hellreich (1934, Vienna). Raoul’s niece Edith Hellreich Goldman (Vienna 1929 - 2011 New York) preceded him in death. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Chava Blodek Kopelman (Vienna 1931 - 2017 Ann Arbor). May his memory be a blessing and his legacy an inspiration. Interment: Arborcrest Cemetery Officiator: Rabbi Aharon Goldstein

RAOUL KOPELMAN

October 21, 1933 - July 20, 2023

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RAOUL KOPELMAN

October 21, 1933 - July 20, 2023

Obituary Notification

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Grief & Healing

About Us

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