Dr. Joseph Irvin Rodgin

Dr. Joseph “Jay” I. Rodgin died Saturday, April 2nd after 96 years filled with kindness and wit. He passed peacefully, surrounded by people he blessed with his genes and his heart. His last words were simply, “miss you,” honest and prescient. Jay was a lifelong resident of Bluefield and a Paul Harris Fellow at the Bluefield Rotary Club, where he was a member for 65 years. He attended Bluefield College and graduated first in his class at Columbia University School of Optometry in 1940. He served as a Staff Sargeant in the 29th General Hospital (Yale Hospital Unit) in the US Army during World War II and received the Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He went on to practice optometry in Bluefield for more than 70 years, deftly helping others to see the immense beauty that he saw in the world. He was the president of the West Virginia Optometric Association and a founding member of Fincastle Country Club, and he authored three books, including Pathology and Pharmacology of the Eye (1983). He was an ardent supporter of Israel and the recipient of the Israel Bond Award. Jay was an avid golfer in his youth and was well known for his expertise on the dance floor. He kept friends of all ages and could entertain conversations on medicine, philosophy, politics, and ethics. He was tough, not in words or outlook but in sinew. He taught us that victory belongs to the persevering, and we are grateful for his tenacity. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Rodgin and Anna Grollman Rodgin, and his sister Bertie (Rodgin) Cohen. He is survived by his devoted children, Susan Gail Rodgin (Warren Manning) of Natick, MA and Henry Rodgin of Los Gatos, CA. He grayed earlier thanks to his rambunctious grandchildren, Anya Manning (Elie Lehmann), Sara Manning (Jeremy Peskin), Sandra Rodgin, and Isaac Rodgin. The funeral will be on Monday, April 4th at 11 AM at Congregation Ahavath Sholom in Bluefield, WV. Visiting hours will be at Jay’s residence from 6:30 PM to 9 PM on Monday and Tuesday evening with prayer service from 7:30-8pm. Burial will follow at Monte Vista Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests donations to Congregation Ahavath Sholom, Bluefield, WV; Rotary International; or to Temple Israel of Natick, MA (Passport to Israel Program). Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Dr. Joseph “Jay” I. Rodgin.

Dr. Joseph Irvin Rodgin

June 28, 1919 - April 3, 2016