RUDOLPH JOSEPH "RUDY" KOPFER Jr.

1935 - 2014

Rudolph "Rudy" Joseph Kopfer, Jr. Rudy Joseph Kopfer passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in his home in Larkspur, California, on December 20, 2014. He was predeceased by his loving parents Rudolph Kopfer, Sr. and Josephine Francis Barizon Kopfer as well as his sister Joan L. Kopfer. Born on July 6, 1935 in San Francisco, Rudy was a second generation Yugoslavian/Hungarian American. He grew up in the Portola District of San Francisco, attended Edward R. Taylor grade school, Portola Jr. High School, and Riordan High School. He also spent three years in the US Coast Guard Reserves while at Riordian. He earned a medical degree at the University of California at Berkeley, and a doctor of dentistry from UC Medical Center, graduating with honors. While at UC Berkeley, he belonged to the US Air Forces (ROTC) and then Army ROTC programs, qualifying for the US Air Force Senior Aid Program. Upon completion of his doctor's degree, he was assigned to Langerkopf Radar Sight in Germany. After returning from Germany with his family, Rudy set up a dental practice and oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Greenbrae, California. He also founded several successful companies, including Panoptx where he is known as the pioneer of "sealing" eyewear-an integral component to Panoptx sunglasses. Dividing his time between his homes in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Larkspur, California, Rudy lived a very rich life, was an artist, musician, inventor, spiritual seeker, a lover of sports, and a family man. He is survived by his daughters, Dana Lynn Maxey and husband, Bob; Kristen Rye Hawkes, her husband John, and their two daughters Tilly, and Emmy Lou; Renee Katie Simpson, her husband, Richard, their two dogs Jaxon, and Mazie; his previous wives, Donna Kopfer and Rhanda Pratt. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Buck Foundation or Guide Dogs for the Blind, in Marin County. A memorial service will be held in Ross, California. For details, please contact the family.