Dear Carole and family,
I just saw this as I am living in Fl for 12 years now but still get obits from up north. So very sorry for your loss . I remember our beauty parlor visits and spending a lovely Thanksgiving holiday at your home and reconnecting with your brother Dick  a friend from CHS days. Cherish your memories and stay well.
Fondly,
Nona Bersch London

Dr. Chopin was a great eye doctor and a wonderful person.  He will be missed!

Dear Mrs. Chopin and family,

I first met Richard on a sunny, Spring day in 2005, at Weequahic Park Golf Course when I was paired with him for a tee time. I knew no one as I had not long moved over from London. My first impressions of him were that he was a warm, friendly person who was there to enjoy golf; a kindly spoken person, with an enjoyment of life. That initial impression lasted throughout the nearly 20 years I have known him. In fact, he made such an impression I asked if we could meet up again to play. Through the course of that season and the next 2 seasons I regularly played golf with Richard.
In 2008 I lost touch with him due to work and changes in circumstances. In 2009 I started my own company with an office in Cranford. One day I was coming out of the office when I bumped into Richard and we realised we worked in the same building. He was downstairs in the ophthalmology practice, I was upstairs in the business suites. We only played golf sporadically but instead went to lunch quite often. Around that time he became Dr. Richard to me and my family, as he became the ophthalmologist of choice to my wife, children, and me. We all loved him. 
I hope that these brief tales bring you some comfort. You should know that to us he was the archetypal gentleman. Or in London slang, “A diamond geezer”
Sincerely,
Barry Sherrington and Family

There is a unique quality/ability that the doctor had which enhances his skills and memory among a group of people who came to him NOT as patients but as colleagues/professionals on a different level.  That is his high regard/respect from Lawyers who sought his knowledge and opinion .  That among other attributes made him a special person to know. 

(Terms of Service waiver accepted under emotional pressure to be able to tell the world of my special memory about this very nice man)

To family and all who were lucky enough to know Dr. Chopin,

      I am so sad to hear about Dr. Chopin’s passing. He was my eye doctor, it seemed, forever - for over 40 years. When he first retired, my heart sank. And I was so honored and delighted when he invited me back when he un-retired and joined the Cranford Group. 

      I cannot say enough positive things about Dr. Chopin. He embodied great skill, wonderful bedside manners, and the best of human nature. 

     He was a consummate professional and the kindest, smartest, and most courteous doctor I have ever known. He was a gracious gentleman from an earlier time when civil and polite society mattered. He was a friend who understood your concerns . My complete confidence in him never wavered. He always knew what caused some issue and how to resolve it.  And with genuine concern, he always took the time to explain in a respectful, precise, thoughtful, and friendly manner. I always left my appointments knowing I was in the “best of hands.’

     I will very much miss Dr. Chopin - the Doctor, the Professional, the Man, the Friend.

     The profession, patients, the staff, and the world have lost a real gem.

Leslie Peckham

We are so sorry for the loss of Dr. Chopin. Our son Paul became a patient at age three ( he’s now 33) and our entire family became patients of Dr Chopin soon thereafter. We followed him to Cranford Ophthalmology and saw him up until his retirement.  One of our favorite memories is of Dr. Chopin giving our children little dinosaurs to reward them for their good behavior. He always had a wide smile and good words whenever we saw him. We will miss him. May his memory be an eternal blessing.

Sincere condolences. “Doc” as I called him was the only doctor my entire family trusted with our eyes. 
Always a smile, always kind and shared a chuckle during every exam. 
Love ya Doc
Sincerely Rick Hartmann and family.

To Family, Friends and colleagues of Dr. Chopin,

I’m so sorry for your loss. Several years ago Dr. Chopin took me in as a patient when I was traveling and visiting family in Cranford, when I had a scary incident that needed an emergency evaluation. 
He was so very kind and helpful in my time  of need and had such an old school caring manner, I always remember that visit with fondness. I wish there were more doctors with his genuine desire to help and comforting sense of grace to be found today. 
I’m sure he will be missed by his family, friends and community for a long while. 

With sympathy,
Barbara Mayo
St. Augustine, Florida

Heartfelt sympathy to all who knew him. He was great to work with,  very caring and gentle. He will be truly missed.

My husband, Ed, and I have been seeing Dr. Chopin for many years for eye examinations. He was more than a doctor - he was a healer and a friend. He always treated us with kindness and respect and always gave us a warm welcome. I remember one visit where I had an injury and his first concern was to alleviate my pain. 
I personally also saw Dr. Chopin for exams when I was a pre-teen, many years ago. He worked at United Hospitals in Newark (no longer in business), which was also called Presbyterian Hospital. My mother worked as a secretary in the Nursing department. He treated her with the utmost respect and at times gave her a "professional courtesy" price because she was a single mother. 
I am so grateful to have known Dr. Chopin. He made a real difference in my life. My deepest sympathy to his family.

OBITUARY

Richard M. Chopin, M.D.

14 August, 1937 – 15 October, 2024

Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

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