Mickey Rappaport passed away on February 8, 2026 in Grass Valley, California after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Mickey was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 21, 1943. His family moved to Milwaukee when he was nine. He attended the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee for two years and finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison where he then received his law degree.

Mickey and his wife Susie served in the Peace Corps in the Marshall Islands. Mickey set up the Micronesian Legal Services program there over 50 years ago.

After leaving the Marshall islands, and a trip around the world, Mickey and Susie settled in Los Angeles where he became Assistant Dean of the UCLA School of Law for over 35 years. Mickey was one of the founders of Beit Tzedek legal service in Los Angeles.

His two children, Rachel and Isaac, were raised in Los Angeles.

Mickey became an arbitrator and was one of the top labor arbitrators in the country, hearing thousands of cases during his more than 45 year career.

In 2003 he moved with his wife to a ranch in the foothills of the Sierras near Yosemite where they lived for over 20 years. He was involved in local politics.

Mickey and Susie moved to Penn Valley in 2024.

Mickey loved his family, his Jewish heritage, model trains, travel, ice cream, Wisconsin football, politics and the great outdoors.

His smile, intelligence and exuberance for life are remembered by those who knew him.

Mickey is survived by his wife Susie, his son Isaac, daughter-in-law Jessica, and grandsons Jonakai and Gavi all of Grass Valley, and his daughter Rachel Straus, son-in-law Peter and granddaughter JoJo all from Los Angeles, and his brother Howard Rappaport and sister-in-law Lisa of Orange City, Florida.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hooper & Weaver Mortuary.