By COLlive reporter
Dr. Rodney (Refael) Unterslak, a most beloved community doctor in Johannesburg, South Africa, passed away Tuesday at the age of 59.
Known affectionately as “Dr. Rodney,” he was known by all in his community as a caring doctor with a “larger than life” personality.
Dr. Rodney battled with an illness for years, and many around the world said Tehillim and prayed for his recovery.
Dr. Unterslak was known as a devoted Chossid of the Rebbe, who inspired all those around him.
“There was such a warmth about him, in how he treated people,” a friend of his told COLlive. “He cared about everyone. There are very few people like him, that literally everyone who knew him, loved him.”
On a Facebook page dedicated to his memory, friends wrote memories and condolences to the family.
A patient of his writes, “His true character extends beyond human comprehension seen in the stories of how he touched so many lives. Those we know and those we do not know. That is the essence of a true tzadik, one who never seeks attention and unselfishly gives to others.”
Hundreds turned out for his Levaya, which took place Tuesday at West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg.
He is survived by his wife, Jenny and children Chanie Zwick, Dovber, Yossi, Eli and Mushky Denburg.
Baruch Dayan Haemes
He was kol lev…sorely missed
We had known each other since 1960 when our families became good friends in Johannesburg, South Africa, and our families saw and socialized with each frequently. We knew each other at the King David Schools in Linksfield, JHB where Rodney was a exemplary student and we met again later when Rodney and his dear wife Jenny became true Chabad Chasidim. They hosted me for Shabbos when I visited SA in great style in later years and we kept in touch via Email. Even though he was ill for some time, and even made a miraculous recovery at one point and… Read more »
I am 11 I knew him my hole life I will miss you forever but I know your in my hart!!
This is very very sad news and a great loss to the medical fraternity as Rodney was one of the finest doctors in South Africa.
A long life to Jenny and the children
My heart is torn to hear of this sad news.He was my doctor for almost 5years while i stayed in South Africa and he was the best friend and doctor i ever had. The memory of him will forever keep close to my heart. I send light blessing to the family. The world has lost one great soul
My cousin , years of physical hardship and suffering . A good man a mench, comfort to Jenny and the kids ,from us in Jerusalem
He was my Doctor and friend for so many years…. I shall miss him terribly. My condolences to Jenny and the family. RIP, my dear dear friend
for ”number 11′ and all others interested in the fb page, it’s
‘My stories of Doctor Rodney Unterslak BD”E”.
This page has given much chizuk to the family
Dr. Rodney was more than just a doctor. He was a Mashpia and good friend. He is someone who you think about often as you always felt his love and care. The world has lost a true Chosid.
Our thoughts are with you Jenny and may Hashem bless and comfort you all.
Jenny and Family,
wishing you a ne’chama e’hira min hashamayim and a long life
I never met Dr. Rodney, but “knew” and admired / adored him through my brother and his family, my parents, and others who were zoche to know him…and to love him. Such a special, caring, upright and precious doctor and friend. The person above who said that everyone who knew him must be feeling a personal family loss is so correct. The world has truly lost a precious soul. Ad Mosai! My parents and I send our condolences to this special family: Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Bsoch Shaar Aveilie Tzion VYerusholayim. We need Moshiach NOW!
Shlichus 5778 – Was Zoche to meet the special man! What a true Chossid, always with a smile!
Sorely missed by Saul and Rivka in Montreal. A mensch ,a friend and a true caring individual. Yehuda Zichron boruch
everyone should learn from him how to treat others and act with humility…so important to remember in our times…bd”e
A great Mentch, Ohev Yisroel, and a talmid Chochom.
Dr Rodney was our doctor before we went to Eretz Yisroel 17 years ago. He always had a kind word and a dvar torah when I went for treatment.
We have been saying tefillos for him for many years. Yhi zichro boruch.
Joe & Monique Schoemann, Beit Shemesh.
jenny, i am with you.
all the memories.
i am returning there, and will mention you and your family.
love,
miryam
With the tragic passing of Dr. Rodney, ob’m, the world lost a great Doctor, an extraordinary Chosid and many of us lost a wonderful friend!
What an inspiration! We don’t find people like Dr. Rodney… I am sure you will be “a gute beter” for all of your loved ones and for all of us L’Maalah. Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Bsoch Shaar Aveilie Tzion VeYerusholayim.
Rabbi Yehoshua B Gordon & Family
Encino, California
to know him was to love him
we probably don’t even begin to know what a special neshama the South African community and the world at large was blessed with
a terrible, terrible, irreplaceable loss
May Hashem grant the family strength and comfort
Doctor rodney was my doctor when I was a child…many many memories of the house calls he used to make with his black doctor’s bag…a professional doctor and a dear family friend…love and strength and comfort to the family of such a wonderful man. He will be forever remembered and spoken about in positive ways. Boruch dayan emes.
This is so sad. Boruch dayan emes
Was Zoche to meet him my last night in SA. We spoke for a just a few short minutes, but he left a lasting mark.
Moshiach Now!
I met Dr Rodney on several occasions. Such a good person. A happy person who made all those around him smile!
To his beautiful family: Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Bsoch Shaar Aveilie Tzion VYerusholayim. May you have only simchas!
WE WOULD LIKE TO READ THE STORIES, SHARE COMMENTS.
He was my doctor when I was a child. A true Rofeh Yedid. Not only expert in modern medicine but homeopathy and other natural resources. Although he had many patients he was considerate of each person’s needs, a heart of gold. You just don’t find people like him these days. The only doctor I really trusted. The world has lost something special.
I learned in S Africa for a year and I went to see him for a procedure. That one visit remains with me 8 years later. I always had a fear of drawing blood. And I remember how relaxed he made me fell with his unbelievable sense of humor and his sensitive approach.( he even gave me a lollypop to focus on as he drew the blood). Unbelievable man and an unbelievable loss. May Hashem give the family the comfort they need to cope with their terrible loss.
there are no words
there are simply no words
other than
AD MOSAI?????????????????????????????????
MOSHIACH NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The world has lost a gaint!!
Got to know Dr Rodney while on Bochur Shlochus — what an awesom guy! A really special person.
Condolences to the family but also to Joberg people all over the world who I know feel this is a personal family loss.
This one really hurts!
this is a true tragedy- the world lost a special soul
The world has lost a great Soul
Knowing his son Dovber and many of his extended family, I can see where they get their beautiful characters from. A magnificent Mentch that will be sorely missed by thousands.
Yehi Zicroh Boruch
M. Solomon and Family
Short Hills, NJ
Jenny our thoughts are with you and the family. May Hashem comfort you all.
Our true Rofeh Yedid!