BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — Services for Robert Rueben Besser, 91, of Boca Raton, Fla., who died peacefully at his home Sunday, April 4, 2010, were Thursday, April 8, 2010, at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel.

Graveside services followed at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens led by Rabbi David Steinhardt and Cantors Ehud Spielman and Yehuda Schifman.

Mr. Besser was born Nov. 11, 1918, in Little Rock, Ark., the son of Isadore and Rose Ruff Besser, proprietors of I. Besser Hardware and great-nephew of Joe Besser of the famous Three Stooges comedians. A good-natured, generous man noted for his affinity to laughter and music, he was a graceful dancer, excellent singer, a fine jazz clarinetist, golden glove boxer, baseball player, pilot, scuba diver, lap swimmer and avid runner.

In World War II he served in Fox Company, 222 Infantry Regiment, 42 Infantry “Rainbow” Division which liberated Dachau Concentration Camp. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.

He was a stalwart champion of the State of Israel, and, officer and patron of several synagogues: Temple B’nai Israel, Natchez, Agudth Achim, Little Rock, and Congregation B’nai Torah, Boca Raton, where congregants were feted with his southern rhythmic tones when he read Torah from holy scripts, without assistant vowels and in original melodic trope. These accomplishments usually are achieved by learned rabbis after decades of intense Bible and Hebrew language studies. He also tutored bar mitzvah students.

In Natchez, he was president of the synagogue, led minyans and taught Sunday school. He supported United Way, Masons, Lions Club, Civic Air Patrol and served on the Mississippi Governor’s Board.

As founder and chief executive officer of Natchez Steel & Pipe, Inc., located on Dave Levite Road, he employed more than 50 people in Natchez. He expanded his business, opening branches in Bessemer, Ala., Slidell, La., Rosharon, Texas with headquarters in Bellaire, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Cheryl Miriam Besser; four siblings and their spouses, Florence Wald and husband, Paul, Miriam Goodman and husband, Saul, Mollie Gordon and husband, Don, and Leo Besser; one cousin, Ruth Kushner; two nieces, Renee Goodman and Sharon Gordon; and one nephew, Monte Goodman.

Mr. Besser is survived by his family which he esteemed above all else including his business, life partner and dear wife of 56 years, Betty Flowers Besser; four children, Shelia Lynn Fine and husband, Fred, of Sulligent, Ala., Donna Kay Stone and husband, Gerald, of Boynton Beach, Bren Sir Besser and wife, Joan, and Bruce Lawrence Besser and wife, Marcella, all of Boca Raton; 12 grandchildren, Bella Besser of Israel, Israel Besser of New York, Rabbi Shmuel Besser of Brazil, Gregg Fine and Abbe Fine, both of Alabama, Aric Fine of Georgia, Alec Stone of Maryland, Leah Stone of California, Madeline Besser, Henry Besser, Rachel Besser and Dylan Besser, all of Florida; 16 great-grandchildren, Masha Chaya Stern, Tzipora Stern, Michal Stern, Eliezer Besser, Aharon Besser, Miriam Besser, Israel Meyer Besser, Avram Besser, Rachel Leah Besser, Zvi Areyeh Besser, Aviva Stone, Arianna Stone, Ayden Stone, Aryeh Stone, Aleah Rachel Fine and Braxton Aric Fine; nine all favorite nieces and nephews; and 20 great-nieces and nephews.

Donations may be sent to Hospice By The Sea, 1531 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486.