Robert S. Yampolsky

Robert S. Yampolsky, 89, of St. Joseph passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with Rabbi Harvey Spivak officiating. Burial will follow in Temple Beth-El Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Memorial donations in Bob's name may be made to Temple B'nai Shalom. Those wishing to sign Bob's memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Bob was born April 9, 1935, in Benton Harbor to Benjamin and Dorothy (Goldsmith) Yampolsky. He was a proud graduate of Benton Harbor High School, the University of Michigan "Go Blue," and graduated with a Juris Doctor Degree from DePaul University Law School. Bob was in private practice in Berrien County from 1962-78, was an assistant prosecuting attorney from 1978-87, and a juvenile court attorney referee from 1987 until his retirement in 2003.

On April 8, 1984, he married Diane Rapaport in Benton Harbor. Bob's resume complimented his character. He did what was right, was the best husband in the world to his wife, Diane, was a role model of a loving and wise father for his children, was a loyal friend, and his career epitomized service to the community and made the community a better place to live.

Bob was a member of Temple B'nai Shalom where he previously served as president, the Benton Harbor-Fairplain Lions Club, serving as president in 1993, the Citizens Mediation Service, a founding member of Berrien County Legal Aid, a board member of the Berrien County Council on Children and The Salvation Army. May his memory always be a blessing.

Bob is survived his wife, Diane Rapaport; his children: Kathleen (Randall) Hellstrom of Grand Blanc, Mich., Matthew (Amber) Yampolsky of Winter Garden, Fla.; five grandchildren: Nathan (Praise) Hellstrom, Joshua (Noël) Hellstrom, David (Kasandra) Hellstrom, Moriah (Isaac) Leka, Kenzie Yampolsky; two great-grandchildren: Ava and Anina Hellstrom; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Barry (Ivonne) Rapaport of Northbrook, lll.; three nieces: Ashley (Kyle) Grimes, Kathryn (Nick) Hawkinson and Lauren Rapaport; and great-nephews: Dylan and Marshall Hawkinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Edward (Miriam) Yampolsky.