Raphael Henkin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Corltandt Manor, NY: Raphael Henkin passed away suddenly of cardiac arrest on February 1, 2021, surrounded by his loving wife, Carole, and sons, William and Joshua. He was born on September 6, 1959 to Rina and Yair Henkin in Haifa, Israel. The family emigrated to New York City when he was 5-years old. Raphael's first challenge was learning to speak English, which he mastered from watching cartoons. Raphael worked his way through college as an Instructor, Teaching Assistant, Laboratory Tech, and Perfusionist at Rutgers University where his undergrad work was devoted to Zoology and Physiology. He earned dual doctorates in Bioengineering and Cardiac Electrophysiology from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He also registered 11 US patents during his research days. From NY his family relocated to Massachusetts and in 1989 he settled in Southern California where he had a long and successful career ultimately becoming President of DelMar Avionics and later Group Vice President of Del Mar Reynolds Medical Group, US, UK, Germany. In 2002, he and Carole married in SoCal where their sons were born. They enjoyed the local lifestyle forging life-long friendships and a love of the outdoors. In 2011, they decided it was time to return home to our East coast roots and were warmly embraced by families in the "hood" and school community. Raphael continued his love of learning and education returning to academia as Adjunct Professor at SUNY Westchester, SUNY Rockland and Dominican Colleges teaching Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology and Physics until his death. He took great pride in his students and their successes and had the utmost respect for his colleagues. Raphael loved Porsches, travel, cooking, classical and jazz music and was an avid sports fan, rooting especially for Boston teams with the exception of the Giants. In good times and bad, he was a patient, sensitive and thoughtful devoted family man always ready to provide counsel and quiet strength. He was a defacto member of every PTA, committee or school function often carrying out tasks without complaint for which he hadn't volunteered. He was scoutmaster of Cub Pack 45, Van Cortlandtville for many years and a great cheerleader for any activity/sport in which his sons were involved. You could almost always find him behind a huge grill cooking for the masses during a campout or more recently at CCRA regattas. Raphael was a member of the Reformed Temple of Putnam Valley where both his sons recently made their Bar Mitzvahs. He felt that his greatest accomplishments were his children. He was beyond proud of William and Joshua and he urged them both to have active, inquisitive minds and to learn everything possible to the best of their abilities. He left this world better than he found it. In addition to his loving wife and adoring sons, Raphael is survived by his parents Rina and Yair Henkin, his sister Daphna Henkin, nephews Zachary and Jordan Shapiro, Great Aunt Lily Nadler, the Lurie, Nissan, Oren, Rosenberg and Sapir families in Israel and the UK, as well as in-laws Joan Goldbeck, John and Sandy Goldbeck and nephews William and Joseph Goldbeck. The family is grateful for the Students who realized Professor Henkin was in distress and assisted until 911 arrived. As well the care and compassion rendered by the NYS Troopers and Mohegan Lake Fire Department EMTs who responded to the emergency call. We appreciate the dedicated support of the LCSD, Administration, Counselors, Teachers and friends at LCBMS, LHS and WPHS. There simply aren't enough ways to express gratefulness for the overwhelming outpouring of kindness and support from around the world and especially family, friends and neighbors cushioning our heartache. A socially distant Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 13 from noon to 2 pm. A zoom Memorial Service will occur on Sunday, February 21 so that friends and family worldwide can gather. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you keep them in your prayers and treasure each day.

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Raphael Henkin

September 6, 1959 - February 1, 2021