Dr Raphael D. Schwartz of Ridgefield, and formerly of Newtown, died August 11, after a courageous battle against cancer and pneumonia. From the day he was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on January 6, 1929, he had an insatiable passion and love for knowledge and learning.

Dr Schwartz was a graduate of Downstate Long Island College of Medicine, and had a long career in gastroenterology.

He served in the US Army in Germany during the Korean War. After demobilization, he served as resident in a program at Yale University under the renowned Dr Howard Spiro. After his residency, Dr Schwartz worked at Danbury Hospital, where he became the first certified board specialist in internal medicine, and initiated the first program for interns and residents. He continued to practice medicine at Danbury Hospital for 55 years.

After retirement, he continued his service to the community by volunteering his time and medical expertise at Kevin's Community Center in Newtown.

He was the husband of his loving wife, Zelda Schwartz; father to Stuart, Linda, Maura, and his late daughter, Lonnie; father-in-law to Pam Schwartz, Michael Larsen, and Stan Nowakowski; grandfather to Allie and Talia Schwartz; and brother to Claire Finklestein.

Funeral services will take place Monday, August 15, at noon, at Congregation Shir Shalom, 46 Peaceable Street, Ridgefield. Burial will follow in the United Jewish Cemetery, Gray's Bridge Road, Brookfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Shir Shalom, Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield CT 06877, or to Kevin's Community Center, 153 South Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.

Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield, is in charge of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee                                                                August 19, 2016