Search by Name

Add a Memory

Plant Trees

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

FUNERAL HOME

Torchinsky Hebrew Funeral Home

254 Carroll St. NW

Washington, District of Columbia

IRWIN KOPIN Obituary

DR. IRWIN J. KOPIN
On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, Dr. IRWIN J. KOPIN of Bethesda, MD. Beloved husband of Rita Kopin. Devoted father of Judye Hendlish, Alan (Liz) Kopin and Gail (Andy) Windmueller. Dear grandfather of Noah, Hannah and Kaylah Hendlish, Josh and Dan Kopin and Rebecca, Jordan and Alana Windmueller. He is also survived by his first cousins Lucy Nisker and Tamar Grizim and many loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2017, 12:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814. Interment following at Judean Memorial Gardens, Olney, MD. Shiva will be observed at the late residence. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Beth El, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or to MAZON. Arrangements entrusted to TORCHINSKY HEBREW FUNERAL HOME, 202-541-1001.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 2, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for IRWIN KOPIN

18 Entries

Michael and Nancy Roizen

August 15, 2017

Nancy and I remember the great times when you welcomed us for Passover, the stories of swimming in Russia, and of course, the excitement and joy in the lab with a great mentor We love you

Graeme Eisenhofer

August 12, 2017

Dear Rita,

Kathy and I were deeply saddened to belatedly learn on our return from Quetico, Canada that Irv had unexpectedly passed away over a week earlier. To me, among numerous others, Irv was the best possible mentor a junior investigator could have. During the mid to late 80s, and despite a busy schedule as NINDS scientific director, Irv always made time each week to individually go over the work of his post-docs, exchange ideas and instill us with enthusiasm for the science we were engaged in. Irv was a brilliant inspirational scientist with a strong mathematical mind and an always encouraging and supportive disposition. Over the many intervening years it has been a privilege to have continued to work with Irv and benefit from his experience, wisdom and guidance. Irv has left a tremendous scientific legacy and although deeply saddened from his passing I also take heart from being extremely fortunate to be a part of that legacy.

With best wishes also to Alan, Judye, Gail and other family members

Graeme Eisenhofer
Technische Universität Dresden, Germany

Bennett Yellin

August 8, 2017

Rita, I'm so so sorry to hear about Irwin's passing. What a sweet man who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone -- and he even pretended to laugh at my jokes! I send condolences and all my love to you and Judye, Alan, Gail and all your grandkids, and will remember your wonderful husband in my prayers.

August 6, 2017

Dear Rita,
We were saddened by the unexpected news that Irv passed away this week and we wish to convey to you and the rest of your family our heart felt condolences.

Both Martha and myself consider ourselves very privileged to have known Irv for at least 40 years and to have enjoyed his friendship. In addition, as one of the most important players in the scientific field of Neuropsychopharmacology worldwide, Irv was for me an example to admire and with whom to consult frequently.

Martha and myself have many memorable recollections of meetings with you and Irv, not only at scientific meetings but also during your regular visits to Paris and Israel.

Apart from Irv's many important scientific contributions, it is noteworthy that his stimulating and creative mind was coupled with a warm and friendly personality. We will miss and always remember him.

We share your grief and we hope that your many outstanding memories of Irv can comfort you in this painful loss.

We embrace you and hope to talk to you in the coming days.

Salomon and Martha Langer, Tel Aviv.

Mark Hallett

August 5, 2017

Rita, I was sad to hear that Irv had died. I didn't actually know he was ill. He was an important person in my career and I looked up to him as a skilled leader as well as brilliant scientist. Many condolences to you and your family.
Warm best wishes......Mark Hallett

What a wonderful family!

Richard Citron

August 4, 2017

Dear Rita, Judye, Gail and Alan
I was so sad to hear about this terrible loss. Some of my best happy days and memories are the ones we created every Thanksgiving at your home. The love and laughter from those visits and more over the last few years in LA, will stay in my heart forever.
God Bless and Keep you in this hour of grief.

Love,
Cousin Richard :-)

Barbara & Larry Nevens

August 4, 2017

Dearest Rita, Judye, Alan, and Gail,
Larry and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of your dear husband/father. He was a gentle and wise man and will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt sympathy to you and the rest of your beautiful family. May your memories of him bring you comfort.
With love,
Barbara & Larry

Sherrie Fairall

August 3, 2017

I was so sorry to hear of Dr Kopin's demise. I wish the Kopin family sincere prayers and wishes. During the time I worked with Dr Kopin at NIH I was honored to be his secretary. He was full of compassion and a wonderful mentor.

Ross Baldessarini

August 3, 2017

Dear Rita,

It is very sad news that Irv has died. I have been thinking about him recently, and recalling our important and formative interactions when I was trying to figure out a future path as a medical student and later as a postdoctoral fellow in the Kopin Lab.

With sincere condolances to you and Irv's entire family.

Ross Baldessarini

Bernard Lerer

August 3, 2017

Dear Rita and Family
Sincere condolences. Irv was a leader in psychopharmacology. I first met him and you, Rita, as a young researcher new to psychopharmacology. It was at the first ACNP meetings I attended. Irv was warm, friendly and supportive and so were you. I remember watching Irv swimming innumerable laps of butterfly in the Caribe Hilton pool. Mere mortals would be exhausted just from watching. I was so impressed and vowed to exercise every day as I continue to do until today. But not butterfly! Irv was in the first line of the frontier years of psychopharmacology. He was a geat scientist and a very fine person. May you be comforted in your loss.
Bernard and Ziona Lerer

Steve Paul

August 3, 2017

Rita , my heartfelt condolences . Irv was a friend , great teacher and great mentor to many of us who worked wth him at NIH . He had an enormous impact on science and his legacy lives on . My thoughts and prayers are with you and his wonderful family that he was so proud of .

Laurence Jarvik

August 3, 2017

My sincere sympathies, may you be strengthened...

August 3, 2017

Rita, We will all miss Irv. I remember fondly working with him on Committees, Council, Ex-President luncheons, etc. He was so supportive of my efforts all through my career. Our hearts are with you.

Alan F. Schatzberg
Stanford University

Peter Martin

August 3, 2017

Rita, my thoughts are with you. Irv and I had a special bond as McGill graduates at NIH and he was a wonderful and sweet mentor to me as I was starting my scientific career.

John Nurnberger

August 3, 2017

I have fond memories of Irv from NIH in the 1970s. His scientific leadership was widely respected.

August 3, 2017

Hi Rita, I am so sorry for your loss. Love and Hugs, Harriet Gerber

JULIAN SHAPIRO

August 2, 2017

Our sincerest condolences to Rita, Judy, Alan, Gail and the rest of the family. May his memory be a blessing.

Inge Horowitz

August 2, 2017

I send heartfelt condolences on behalf of myself and the Windmueller Family to Rita and to all in the Kopin Family.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results