Bernard Rivin

PORTSMOUTH—Bernard Rivin, 93, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in his residence.
A native of Boston, Mass., he was a graduate of Harvard College, class of 1940, with a BA degree in economics and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and served from 1941–1946. Mr. Rivin was president of The Famous of Portsmouth, Inc. from 1946–1991 and was the first president of the US Naval Shipyard Museum of Portsmouth.
Mr. Rivin was president of the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the United Jewish Appeal; chairman of the Israeli Bonds Campaign; founder of Temple Sinai in Portsmouth and its second president; a volunteer for the Portsmouth Public Library, Friends of the Juvenile Court and the Bear Program (reading to children) for Portsmouth Public Schools. He was on the Norfolk State College Board of Trustees, Jewish Family Service (Personal Affairs Management), a longtime member and officer of the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth and over his lifetime he was honored by many Hampton Roads organizations.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Zelma G. Rivin; children, Richard A. Rivin (Theo Bonk), Anne R. Stanfield (Jeffrey Stanfield) and Jonathan Rivin; two brothers, Arthur and Robert; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Rosalind R. Chernoff (Carl Chernoff).
A funeral service was held at Temple Sinai, Portsmouth. Memorial donations may be made to the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, PO Box 7962, Portsmouth, VA 23707, or to a charity of choice. Sturtevant Funeral Home.