MORTIMER RAPFOGEL

FORT WORTH -- Mortimer "Morty" Rapfogel died peacefully Thursday morning, Jan. 31, 2013, nearing his 101st year. Service: Following committal prayers at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Beth-El Section of Greenwood Memorial Park, with Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger officiating, Morty will be laid to rest next to his wife, Bernice. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Community Hospice of Texas, Beth-El Congregation or a charity of one's choice, in his memory, is suggested. Born in Harlem, New York City, on Feb. 14, 1912, Morty studied music at Stuyvesant High School. Among his classmates were Mitch Miller, Francis Blaisdell and Carmine Copolla, with whom he continued a lifetime of friendship. During his high school years, he played in the Youth Orchestra, The New York Philharmonic Society Orchestra, Heckscher Foundation Orchestra, The National Orchestral Association, The Stringwood Trio, The American Symphony Orchestra, The Keith's Boys Band, The Greenwich Band, The Broxonian Trio, many concerts in Carnegie Hall and frequent radio programs. After winning a three-year scholarship from the New York Philharmonic to study in Europe with the French flute master Georges Barrere and John Amans, he returned to play with the New York Philharmonic under Arturo Toscanini, John Barbirolli and Arthur Rodzinski and also played with the Columbia Broadcasting Symphony and The NBC Symphony. He played in the original productions of "Porgy and Bess," "Carmen Jones," "South Pacific," "Carousel," "My Fair Lady," "Brigadoon," "The King and I," "Pipe Dream" and "Peter Pan," as well in over 500 recordings or films. Morty also performed with Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Leon Barzin, Igor Stravinsky, Sergie Rachmaninoff, Bruno Walter and Victor Borge. In 1957, seeking a "better quality of life" for his family and to live closer to his brother, Dr. Irving Rapfogel, he moved to Fort Worth where he immediately joined the Fort Worth Symphony, Casa Manana, and the city's ballet and opera orchestras. In 1958, Morty started developing land and building homes in Forest Hill and Burleson. He continued developing land and building homes during the day while playing music in the evening for the next 40 years. His family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Craig Dearden and caregivers Bobbie Davidson, Nadine Clopp and Tracy Stagg. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Lena Fleischer Rapfogel; childhood sweetheart and beloved wife of 65 years, Bernice Goldberger Rapfogel; brother and sister-in-law, Irving and Ruth Rapfogel; and sister, Ann Duboff Franzee. Survivors: In addition to his children, Judith Cooper, Steve Rapfogel and his wife, Marsha, Morty is survived by his grandchildren, Robin Cooper Frisbie and her husband, Scott, Stefanie Cooper Toppel and her husband, Steve, Lisa Rapfogel Ostroff and her husband, Dave, and Robert Rapfogel; great-grandchildren, Mandy, Sammie, Alex, Taylor and Andrew; and nieces and nephews, Nan Freund, Richard Rapfogel and Beth Roy. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of MORTIMER RAPFOGEL please visit our Sympathy Store.