ARNOLD RIFKIN

Arnold S. Rifkin passed away peacefully Monday, August 3, 2015
at home surrounded by his family.

A proud member of The Greatest Generation, Arnold Rifkin represents the third generation of the Rifkin family to live in Wilkes-Barre.

Arnold was born here on December 29, 1924, the son of David and Kathleen Freeman Rifkin. He graduated from Coughlin High School in 1942. At age 18, he left the University of Pennsylvania to enter training in the Army Air Corps. He trained to be a navigator on a B-17 Flying Fortress and was assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England in January, 1945. Arnold and his crew flew 18 combat missions over Germany and two humanitarian food drops to Holland. At the end of the war, after three years of service, he was released from the Army Air Corps as a First Lieutenant.

Arnold returned to the University of Pennsylvania and earned a degree in business from The Wharton School in 1948. It was at Penn that Arnold met Sandy August, who became Sandy Rifkin in 1949. Sandy and Arnold traveled the country selling products for A. Rifkin Company until 1950 when they returned to Wilkes-Barre to raise a family.

Arnold worked side-by-side with his dad, David, for twenty years. In 1968, Arnold succeeded David as president of the company. The company grew under Arnold's leadership. Arnold was responsible for creating 12 U.S. Patents while designing new products for the company. In 1992, A. Rifkin Co. celebrated its 100th anniversary. That same year, Arnold was named Small Businessman of the Year by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce.

Service to the community was always an important part of Arnold's life. He served as General Chairman of the Cancer Society Drive and as Incentive Chairman of the United Way. Arnold served as President of Temple B'nai B'rith for three terms and as a trustee. He served as Vice President of the Jewish Federation and on the JCC Board. In 1972, he was a member of the Executive Board of the Flood Emergency Committee of the Wyoming Valley Jewish Community. In 1980 he joined the Board of Trustees of Wilkes University and served as its Treasurer for three years. He has served on the Boards of the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes and at Friends Hospital in Philadelphia

Together, Arnold and Sandy donated the residence known as Rifkin Hall and the lobby of the Evans Residence Hall at Wilkes University, a room at the Domestic Violence Service Center, a children's corner at the Osterhout Public Library and an expansion of the SPCA pet cemetery. They were also responsible for donating the original dialysis machines at General Hospital and the 3.9 acres of land used to build the Children's Service Center of Wyoming Valley. At the Jewish Community Center, they donated a Resource Center housing a library and museum and the JCC kitchen. They also endowed the annual Ben August three-mile run. Sandy and Arnold are Founders of the Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel. In 1986, Sandy and Arnold received the Community Service Award from the B'nai B'rith Lodge.

Arnold is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Sandy.
Children: Kathy and Paul Lantz, Kingston; Michael and Margery Rifkin, Kingston; Jody Brusilow and fiancAC., Jay Friedland, Philadelphia.

Grandchildren: Laura and Randy Rongione, Lansdale, Pa.; David and Kiera Lantz, Kingston; Julie and Jason Diperstein, Bluebell, Pa; Darcy and Chris Buck, Kingston; Adam and Janette Rifkin, Philadelphia; Dr. Daniel Lantz, Tinton Falls, Nj; Genevieve Brusilow, Brooklyn, Ny and Thatcher Brusilow, Ithaca, Ny.

Great Grandchildren: Brady and Jack Rongione, Holden Diperstein and Avery Lantz.

Special thanks to his wonderful caregivers, Carol and Cheryl. Thank you also to Maya, Regina, Michael, Jacinta and the nurses at Erwine Hospice. Arnold was able to extend the quality of his life thanks to the excellent care of Dr David Greenwald, Dr Ira Grossman and Dr John Citti.

The funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, August 5th at noon at Temple Bnai Brith, 408 Wyoming Ave, Kingston, with Rabbi Roger Lerner officiating.

Interment will be in Temple B'nai Brith Cemetery, Lee Park section of Hanover Township.

Shiva will be observed at the family home, 200 Riverside Drive, Wilkes-Barre, Wednesday 7-9pm; Thursday 2-4 and 7-9: and Friday 2-4pm.

Shiva will also be observed at the home of Jody Brusilow, 2108 Springhouse Rd, Broomal, Pa. on August 9, 10 and 11 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Bnai Brith, 408 Wyoming Ave, Kingston, Pa 18704 and Erwine Hospice Care.

Arrangements by Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, Inc. Wilkes-Barre.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of ARNOLD RIFKIN, please visit our floral store.