Neveh, Raphael

Son of Ora and Moshe, was born on 15.8.1954 in Romania. In 1966, when he was 12 years old, he immigrated to Israel with his parents and twin brother. And the family settled in the Kiryat Motzkin transit camp. As a young man, his parents divorced and his mother married Simcha Naveh, his stepfather, whose home he grew up with, and whose family name he married. At first Rafael was educated at a boarding school in the Meir Shfeya Youth Village. And in 1971 was accepted as a student at the IAF Technical School in Haifa. Raphael was a strong young man, distinguished by his integrity, dedication, and skills. He graduated from the Technical School in November 1972, and in January 1973 he joined the IAF, with a commitment to continue serving in the career army. He was assigned to an operational squadron as an aircraft mechanic and proved to be an excellent professional, devoted and friendly, always willing to help others. Rafael participated in the Yom Kippur War, and after the war, in January 1974, he completed an advanced course in the IAF and was promoted to the rank of Corporal and became one of the pillars of the squadron. Two years later, he was promoted to the rank of Major General, and his commanding officers noted that he was “a good, quiet professional and fulfilled his duties to the satisfaction of the superiors.” He married and built his home in Kiryat Motzkin, and in 1980 he became ill and became worse. From the hospital he was placed as a guide in the squadron, promoted to the rank of major sergeant, and despite his suffering overcame his position in the corps. At the end of 1982 he was hospitalized again, and according to his wishes he was transferred to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. He underwent a series of surgeries, but the doctors were unable to save him. On the 28th of Shvat 5743 (February 8, 1983) he died of his illness. He was 28 when he died. Raphael was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Haifa. He left behind a wife, daughter, mother and twin brother