Robert Kopelman

Bob passed away in his sleep on November 28th, 2025, after spending a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with family. He was exactly 82 years, two months, and 18 days old.

Bob Kopelman is best remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. A physician, he lived his life by the tenets of the Hippocratic Oath. He is survived by Linda (née Gelinas) Kopelman, his wife and the love of his life, and his many children and their families: Andrew and wife, Marcela (née Schlaen), grandchildren Jonah, Simon and Tobias; Todd and Robin (née Cook), grandchildren Quinn, Johanna, Julian, and Hank; Alison Kopelman and John McQuinn, grandchildren Miriam and Elijah; Clark Kopelman, grandchildren Abe and Abigail; Camille (née Cloutier) and Trevor Hartsell, grandchildren Harriet and Ellis. He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Sadye (née Nechamkin) Kopelman, and by his former wife, Miriam (née Lorch). Bob also leaves his brother, Arthur, and extended family who carry forward his legacy of endless curiosity, Socratic teaching style and subtle wisecracks.

The trajectory of his life shifted many times. Born in New York City on September 10, 1943, he was a subsequent child of an RH negative mother. Given the science then, he should have died right after birth. His mother stubbornly refused this outcome, forcefully enlisting Dr. Carl Smith, who oversaw a complete blood transfusion in this newborn. This medical miracle can still be found in medical textbooks. Is it any wonder that Bob, and his older brother, Arthur, became physicians? He grew up among extended family in Queens, NY. In high school, he published internationally recognized botany research. He took greater glee, however, in recalling his early entrepreneurship, a failed bid to purchase a decommissioned navy submarine for scrap metal. Bob attended Carleton College, followed by medical school at SUNY Downstate and residency at Columbia. As a MASH doctor in Korea, he used his encyclopedic knowledge to create good, despite inhabiting a Catch-22 world. A strong believer in knowing the rules so that said rules could be circumnavigated - Korea provided many opportunities for him to do so. After an honorable discharge, he returned to the US to complete a Nephrology fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine.

In the late 1970's, he moved his family to Bakersfield, California, a chapter of his life lasting over three decades. As a Nephrologist, he cared for thousands of patients and saved innumerable lives Ever the entrepreneur, he helped create both a private practice and the only privately owned and managed dialysis center in California, a Sisphyean endeavor. Other successful ventures included: investing in the first windmill farm in California, helping design and implement the first electronic medical record in the region, and being an original subscriber of UpToDate. He talked less about his beloved, but quickly dated PalmPilot, and LaserDisc collections.

Upon retirement, a new chapter began. Robert and Linda moved first to Iowa City, IA, and then to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, to support their children and grandchildren. Family was his greatest joy. He relished family get-togethers in various settings -- but his heart sang truest when everyone gathered with him, and his brother's family, at Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.

In his down time, Robert explored the world with the same deep interest about everything and everyone. Photography allowed him to continuously view life through diverse lenses, always delving deeper to capture the soul behind an image. He leaves millions of photos behind to be rediscovered by friends and families for years to come. We are fortunate his life wasn't prematurely ended by taking close-ups of wildlife, or by antsy children forced to hold still for just one more second. Bob had been a shy child, but, by adulthood, his curiosity and love of humankind outweighed any reluctance to engage in conversation. Bob had the ability to talk to anyone (strangers, grandchildren, college classmates). He loved to debate, to play the Devil's Advocate, to ask endless questions. No subject was too controversial. Because he could listen sincerely and use logic instead of personal attacks, his words were respected even when his views were not. He relished his children and grandchildren's ability to disagree with him, to build arguments and to engage in dialogue. Often the smartest one in the room, he never made anyone feel stupid.

Robert's enduring generosity, caring, and unwavering presence left a lasting imprint on all who knew him. A warm, honest man, he gave freely of his time and wisdom. He was a lifelong mentor, always eager to care for, support, and encourage the potential he saw in others. He will be remembered for the way he lived - with integrity, perseverance, curiosity, irreverence, and a heart full of devotion.

Bob was a steadfast patron of the arts and education. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a local nonprofit that supports your community.

Cremation care is being provided by Brendan & Thomas Flynn at Oxford Hills Crematory, Inc., Chester, New York.