Dr. Raymond Roger Kauffman

It is with great sadness that the Kauffman family announces the passing of our beloved and awe-inspiring patriarch, in his 100th year of life. Devoted husband of 70 years to the late Patricia Alexander Kauffman, who predeceased him on August 25, 2016. Loving father of Teresa, Antoinette, Raphael (Sarah), Diane (Steve Pomerantz), and Laurence Kauffman, dear grandfather of Daniel (Mizuho) Kauffman, Brian Kauffman, and Alexandra and Benjamin McGary, and proud great-grandfather of Ray Hirose Kauffman. Ray was the brother of the late Norman (late Edith, late Betty) Kauffman and of Kenneth (late Pepita) of Arlington, VA and Stephen (Janelle) Kauffman of Fair Oaks, CA.

Ray was the son of Mark Kauffman, who immigrated from Galatz, Romania in 1907 and operated a pharmacy in Sacramento. Ray's mother, Adele Haiecher Kauffman, was originally from Alsace-Lorraine, France. They had two boys, Norman, age 2, and Raymond, 8 months, when Adele died during the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918. Mark was forced to place his boys in foster care, where they remained for 12 years until Mark remarried to Irma Marks, and the family was reunited. Mark and Irma had two more boys, Kenneth and Stephen. Ray often affectionately recounted his last foster family in Sacramento, the Warmeths, with whom he and Norman lived for 4 years.

Ray's life story is inspiring because of his talent, hard work and persistent pursuit of his goal, despite many hardships. During high school, he worked in his uncle's clothing store and manned the soda fountain inside his father's drug store. He dreamed of becoming a physician, and never gave up on this dream. Ray was admitted to U.C. Berkeley, but had to initially decline because his family couldn't afford the tuition. He attended community college in Sacramento while continuing to work and was eventually able to earn a B.S. in Zoology from U.C. Berkeley, where he also did post-graduate work. Ray then attended UCSF Dental School and enlisted in the Navy, serving as a dental officer aboard ship in the Pacific. After his Naval service, Ray and Pat married and lived in San Francisco. He was admitted to Stanford Medical School, where he completed his residency in plastic surgery and later served on the faculty. His previous dental training helped him to realize his ambition of becoming a maxillofacial surgeon. Ray maintained a plastic and reconstructive surgery practice with Dr. Gilbert Gradinger in Burlingame and San Mateo for many years. He eventually became Chief of Surgery at Peninsula Hospital as well as President of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS). In 2007, ASMS formally recognized Ray's significant contributions for training surgeons in maxillofacial technique at medical schools across the U.S. In 1963, he served on board the SS Hope floating charity hospital, performing surgeries in Peru for underprivileged children with cleft lips and palates. Later, Ray also donated his services treating poor patients with facial deformities in Central America.

Both Pat and Ray were prominent residents of San Mateo for 60 years. Pat, a concert pianist, delighted everyone with her music. They raised their family on Warren Road, and when their children were grown, moved to the Top of the Mounds condominiums, where they lived for 38 years before recently moving to a retirement community.

In addition to his medical talents, Ray loved to sing and was a velvet crooner in his local barbershop quartet, along with fellow doctors. He was an avid golfer and member of the Peninsula Golf and Country Club for 46 years, where he played three times a week until age 96. Ray was also an ardent animal lover (especially cats), had a quick wit and loved to tell funny stories. He was magnanimous with his time, loving attention to his family, friends and patients, and his philanthropic endeavors. Ray was greatly loved by many, and made the world a better place. Donations in Ray's memory may be made to the Mills Peninsula Health Foundation, Cardiovascular Excellence or to the Peninsula Humane Society. A Celebration of Life gathering will take place for Ray's family and friends in February. Please contact the Kauffman family in San Mateo for details at dianelkauffman@gmail.com.

PAID OBITUARY