Martin Maier Rabhan

Martin Maier Rabhan, 96 , affectionately known as “Uncle Maier” to so many individuals, passed away on September 5, 2016, after a short illness.

Maier Rabhan was born in Savannah on July 19, 1920, at home on Bolton Street. Following High School, Maier went into his family wholesale dry goods business with his dear brothers, sister, and father, Isaac Rabhan and Sons, until the business closed in 1994.

Maier Rabhan was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Esther Berger Rabhan, his parents, Isaac and Fannie Rabhan and his siblings; Abraham E. Rabhan, Sylvia Rabhan Rabin, Dr. Leonard J. Rabhan, Daniel Rabhan, Archie Rabhan, and Hazel Lillian Rabhan Honeycutt.

Maier Rabhan is survived by two daughters; Marilyn (Dr. Robert) Swedarsky of Pittsburgh, PA, Ida (Harshel) Soberman of Toronto, Canada; two sons, Dr. Nathan (Shelley) Rabhan of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Dr. Fred (Ester) Rabhan of Savannah, GA., many grandchildren and great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his sister Roslyn Rabhan Weisberg of Brooklyn, NY.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Maier was drafted into the United States Army where he served with distinction for over 2 and ½ years in the Southwest Pacific. He received the nobel “Soldier’s Medal Award” for meritorious achievement during WWII. Throughout his life he was immeasurably gratified to be able to have served his country and fight for the very freedom we all enjoy until this very day.

Maier Rabhan served his community for over eight decades both civically and religiously. Maier was on the Executive committee of the City of Savannah Democratic party for twenty eight years and served as its treasurer for eight years. He was known throughout the general community for his integrity and character.

Maier Rabhan was a pillar of the Jewish community . He was a founding board member of the original Jewish Day School in Savannah, The Hebrew Academy of Savannah, Inc., in the early 1950’s. He continued to work for Jewish Day School education throughout the remainder of his life as a Vice President of the Savannah Hebrew Day School and as a dedicated volunteer for Rambam Day School. He served as President of the HGH society to help needy families in the Jewish community. He was a Honorary Trustee (lifetime board member) of the both the Board of Directors of Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob and the Brotherhood of Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Buckingham South Home for Assisted Living for over fifteen years of care and concern. The family would also like to thank Rabbi Yisroel and Elisheva Gold and their children for making “Uncle Maier” an integral part of their lives.

The funeral service was held Tuesday.

The family requests contributions in memory of Maier Rabhan be made to: Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob, 5444 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA, 31405 or Rambam Day School (Esther Berger Rabhan Science Fund), 111 Atlas St, Savannah, GA, 31405.