Robert Alan Seigel, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Beth Israel, Fresno, CA - Rabbi Robert A. Seigel was born on July 19, 1938, in Charleston, SC to Anne (Lipman) and Frank Seigel. Upon graduating from Rivers High School and attending the College of Charleston, he commenced his journey toward the rabbinate at the Institute for Leaders in Jerusalem, Israel. Rabbi Seigel acquired his B.A. from the University of Cincinnati in 1961. He received his B.H.L. in 1964 and his M.A.H.L. in 1965 from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, Ohio, in addition to completing its Hirsch Fellowship. Rabbi Seigel was ordained in 1965, and earned a Doctor of Divinity in 1990 from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, New York. He had the distinction of being South Carolina's first native born Rabbi, an honor for which he was most proud.Rabbi Seigel returned to Charleston in 2001 upon his retirement from Temple Beth Israel in Fresno, CA, and served as the Temple's Rabbi Emeritus until his death on Monday, November 14, 2016. Prior to his retirement, he diligently, faithfully, and selflessly served several congregations during his 50 year career in the Rabbinate. His first congregation was Temple Sinai in Rochester, NY. He served Temple Beth Shalom and Temple Beth El in Charlotte, NC, and Temple Emanuel In Stateville, NC. He was the founder and director of the Carolina Agency for Jewish Education while in North Carolina.Rabbi Seigel fondly recalled his decade of service as the Director of B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation at both the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Duke University in Durham, NC. He had a tremendous gift for educating youth, and instilling in them, a deep appreciation, enthusiasm, and love for Judaism. His special affinity was for inspiring the youth and they admired and loved their "Rab Bob". Even upon his retirement, Rabbi Seigel continued his commitment to the community, and served smaller congregations throughout the southeast that were without a full-time rabbi: Temple Sinai in Sumter, SC, Temple Oseh Shalom in Bluffton, SC, Temple Shalom in Myrtle Beach, SC, and Temple Bet Yam in St. Augustine, Fl. Because of his deep devotion and lifelong roots in Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim he continued to serve by teaching classes in Basic Judaism and Conversion, assisting the rabbi with life cycle events and services, docenting every Thursday in his beloved Sanctuary and lecturing on a variety of relevant topics.In May 2016, Rabbi Seigel celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination and gave his last sermon at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim: "A Reflection of Life in the Rabbinate." It was especially meaningful to commemorate this occasion at the Temple where he was consecrated and confirmed, and in which his Bar Mitzvah and marriage were held. The hallmark of Rabbi Seigel's rabbinate, was his lifelong commitment to social justice. As early the 1960's he started not only to advocate for it, but also actively pursued it, and encouraged others to do so as well. Upon being ordained, he served in Rochester, NY as a founding member of both Clergy Concerned About Vietnam and Voters for Peace, as well as vice-chair of the Committee on Public Education and Religious Liberty. During his tenure as the assistant director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations' Regional Office and Jewish Council on Urban Affairs in Chicago, Illinois, he served as the Official Jewish Observer of the Catholic-Protestant Ecumenical Feasibility Study, on the board of the Interfaith Council on Urban Affairs, and as a member of the Interfaith Urban Affairs Committee. He was also the founding vice-president for the Alliance to End RepressionRabbi Seigel's activism and community involvement continued throughout his life. While too numerous to mention, some of his other significant and lasting contributions included his service as president of the Charlotte Area Clergy Association, founding vice-president of the Mecklenburg Ministries; the commissioner of the Human Affairs Committee of the City of Fresno, the co-chair of the Interfaith Alliance of California; and the founding co-chair of The Interfaith Alliance of Central California. While profoundly modest, Rabbi Seigel and his family were also especially proud of his participation in the 1994 Israeli-Palestinian-Jordanian Peace Talks, and his receipt of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award by the City of Fresno.Rabbi Seigel lectured both nationally and internationally on interfaith and inter-racial issues, as well as peace, and led many tours throughout Israel. He authored several publications including those related to intermarriage, and composed a collection of Jewish children's songs. He was kind and patient with everyone he encountered. While many knew him as Rabbi Seigel, he was also a caring and devoted husband, father, son and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-seven years, Faye, with whom he loved traveling the world. They were truly partners in every sense of the word. Together, they enjoyed an active, full and productive life which included volunteering for Spoleto and other events; ushering at various theaters including the historic Dock Street Theater and Footlight Players where he performed as a child under the tutelage of Emmett Robinson; attending lectures; and playing bridge, board and daily word games. While he delighted in traveling, he was happiest when he was at home in Charleston. The enterprise in which he took the most pleasure was acting as a weekly docent at his beloved Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim enthusiastically chronicling the Temple's rich history, and regaling visitors with his personal anecdotes about growing up in the congregation. He eagerly anticipated each Thursday at which time Trip Advisor would post its newest comments from the Temple's touring visitors; the mention of his name always put a smile on his face.In addition to his wife, Faye Polis Seigel, Rabbi Seigel is survived by his much-loved children, Tamar R. Seigel (Adam B. Bernstein) of Charlotte, NC; Daniel J Seigel (Shelly) of Pittsburgh, PA, Amy B. Rothschild of Columbia, SC, and Dana E. Rothschild (Ira D. Levy) of Charleston, SC. His children and ten grandchildren were among his greatest joys: Shayna B. Putterman (Andrew) of Washington, DC; Asher S. Bernstein of Charlotte, NC; Hannah L. Seigel of Washington, DC; Shira Seigel of Pittsburgh, PA, Shoshana Seigel of Pittsburg, PA, Augusta L. Levy of Charleston, SC, Simon D. Levy of Charleston, SC, Joshua W. Groves (OBM); Stephen P. Groves, Jr. of Washington, DC, and Sumter S. H. Groves of Washington, DC. He leaves behind his brother in law, Gerald D. Polis (Beth) and his niece, Linday E.Polis, and nephew Kevin A. Polis and their families. His blue eyes sparkled and his face lit up as he proudly shared their accomplishments with anyone who asked. Rabbi Seigel faced his impending death the same way he lived his life: with character, courage, dignity, grace, and selflessness. He left us with a wonderful legacy of a beautiful life that was well-lived.. He will be remembered by his family as a devoted and loving husband, father, son and grandfather: a man whose gentle and giving nature, spirit and temperament, along with his endearing smile, hearty infectious laugh and sparkling blue eyes lit up any room. He gave so much and asked for so little. He was happy, he was content, and he was joyful all the days of his life.The funeral will take place on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 11:00 am at Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, 90 Hasell Street, Charleston, SC 29401, followed by graveside interment at Huguenin Avenue Cemetery, 1 Huguenin Avenue, Charleston, SC.Shiva services will be held at the family home, 3073 Rice Field Lane, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466 in Parkwest Subdivision on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7:00 pm. The family will receive visitors from 1:00-3:00 pm on Thursday and Friday.In lieu of flowers, The Rabbi Robert A. Seigel Sanctuary Restoration Fund was created by his wife, Faye, to memorialize and honor him for his lifelong commitment to the Jewish people and to Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim. Donations can to sent to KKBE, 90 Hasell Street, Charleston, SC 29401.Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel.A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.