Biography

Raoul Kopelman was born in Vienna, Austria on October 21, 1933. His parents were Chaja Klara Mencel Koppelmann (Toporowce, at the time part of Galicia in the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1898 - 1974 Ann Arbor MI USA) and Josef Koppelmann (Pistyn, Galica 1877 - 1950 Tel Aviv, Israel). His father, Josef Koppelmann was a soldier in WW I, an entrepreneur, and founded Lux Film Gesellschaft, bringing sound films to the German speaking world and music-based films, including operettas. His mother, Klara Koppelmann had a classical German education and worked as an X-ray nurse. Raoul had a wonderful early childhood. It was disrupted by the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria in 1938. His father was arrested by the Nazis and spent 10 months in Buchenwald. Raoul and his parents escaped from Vienna on April 1, 1939 at night on a long train ride to Zurich, Switzerland. Later that month, they took a train to Trieste, Italy. An eight day boat ride on the Galilea brought them to Tel-Aviv on April 24. Raoul started elementary school on September 1, 1939, the day WW II began. Tumultuous times followed. 

In this historical context, a belief in science as the key to a better future grew within him. 

He received his BS in Chemical Engineering at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology (1955), as well as an Engineering Diploma (1956) and an MS in Physical Chemistry (1957). He was the first Israeli to receive the US Fulbright Travel Grant (1957). He earned his Chemistry PhD at Columbia University (1960). He did his postdoctoral training at Harvard (1960-62). While studying for his undergraduate degree in Haifa, Raoul met Chava Blodek, also from Vienna (1931, born Eva; 2017 Ann Arbor), who would be his wife of 62 years. They had three children: Orion Kopelman (1962, Boston); Leeron Kopelman (1963, Haifa); Shirli Kopelman (1968, Ann Arbor); and two granddaughters: Talia Kopelman (2009, Ann Arbor); Yasmin Kopelman (2010, Ann Arbor). Raoul Kopelman was a beacon of light to his family, his students, science, and medicine.

Dr. Raoul Kopelman became an expert on photonics, laser and bioanalytical chemistry, chemical physics, catalysis, nano-materials and nano-devices. He was a professor at the University of Michigan for 57 years (1966-2023); the Richard Smalley Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry, Physics, Applied Physics, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Biology; Member of The Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, The Michigan Biointerfaces Institute, and The Rogel Cancer Center. 

Professor Kopelman has been celebrated for his leadership, research, and educator role. He mentored over 70 PhD students of Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics and Applied Physics, who launched successful academic careers as professors at primary universities, or pursued excellence in industry and government. The list of his research publications and patents approximates 700. 

Raoul Kopelman passed away from a sudden illness on July 20, 2023 (Ann Arbor).