Obituary of Bernard Raffath

Bernard (Bert) Raffath Jr., age 84, a Stow resident for 43 years, passed away on Oct. 29 at The Fountainview Center in Atlanta.  A graduate of Kenmore High School, Bert also earned accounting and law degrees from the University of Akron. He was a member of Lone Star fraternity and a track letterman. Bert retired in 1988 as president of Gougler Industries in Kent after 27 years of service. Prior to this, he worked for Bellows in Akron and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. He previously was an active member of the Prime Time ABF at The Chapel where he served as a past care group leader and class leader. Bert enjoyed traveling, sports, bridge and going to the theater. At 82, he still actively biked 25-30 miles at a time several days each week. In addition, he still actively snow skied at 80 and in 2009 rode his bike 2,000 miles. He and his wife visited 32 countries. Bert was preceded in death by Donna, his wife of 58 years; his parents, Bernard and Helen Raffath, and his sister, Doris Voight. He is survived by his children: Cindy (Dave) Theiler of Marietta, Ga., Brenda (David) Friend of Washington D.C., and Kent Raffath of Dyersburg, Tenn., and two grandchildren, Trent and Katelyn Theiler. The family suggests that memorials be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), 912 Killian Hill Rd. SW, Lilburn, GA, 30047. Funeral service on Friday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m. in the Memorial Chapel at The Chapel, 135 Fir Hill in Akron, where the family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment Silver Springs Cemetery in Stow.