Bernhard Rosenstein

Bernhard Alan Rosenstein, 76, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was born on April 21, 1947 in Blackburn, England, the son of the late Gerhard Rosenstein and the late Judith Cohen Rosenstein. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1959. Bernie was a graduate of Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a master’s degree from Northwestern University. Before starting graduate school, Bernie married his college sweetheart, Judith (nee) Womer, in 1967, and together they moved to Chicago before purchasing a home in Evanston, where they subsequently lived for nearly 50 years.

Upon completion of his academic studies, Bernie taught English for 35 years in the Chicago Public Schools, including long periods at Whitney Young High School and Bowen High School, where he also served as the sponsor of the school newspaper. He was proud to advocate for and mentor his students, having a particular interest in assisting those young people who faced the challenge of being the first in their families to pursue higher education. Bernie shared his passion for sports and especially soccer with his community. He spent many years as a volunteer coach, board member, and president of the Grosse Pointe Soccer Club in Evanston. He also coached freshman girls soccer at Evanston Township High School and the girls tennis team at Bowen High School. With his wife, Bernie was a supporter of the arts in the Chicagoland area, with long held subscriptions to Northlight and Steppenwolf Theaters and the Lyric Opera. Bernie enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid gardener, camper, hiker, birdwatcher, and biker. When his children were young, summers included extended camping trips across the United States and Canada or family reunions at the Jersey Shore. After retirement, Bernie and Judy traveled the world, visiting 40 countries on 5 continents, often in the company of his sister, Sylvia, and her husband David Jacobs. Above all, Bernie was a committed husband, father, and grandfather who will be missed for the great amounts of time, love, and humor he invested in his family.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith Rosenstein; sister Sylvia Jacobs, of Moorestown, New Jersey; 3 sons: Ian Rosenstein and wife Sarah of Clinton, New York; Adam Rosenstein and wife Lori of La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Matthew Rosenstein and wife Amy of Urbana, Illinois; and 5 grandchildren: Corrin Rosenstein, Olivia Rosenstein, Abigail Rosenstein, Aaron Rosenstein, and Samuel Rosenstein.

A celebration of life, to be held in Evanston, Illinois, is planned for a later date.

Memorials may be made to: Gundersen Medical Foundation for Alzheimer’s research or Doctors Without Borders