The Wheatley
School Alumni Association Newsletter - Special Edition # 179-A - Steve
Rosengarten - In Memoriam
From
Jane Rosengarten Rosenof (1966) and Phyllis Rosengarten Gordon (1973)
Our brother,
Steve Rosengarten, affectionately known as “Git,” passed away on August 31,
surrounded by his loving family. He was 72. We are heartbroken. Nadine Flexer, Steve’s
wife, would love to receive emails with any stories people may have about
him. She wants to be able to tell their grandchildren about
Steve. Her email is: nadineflexer@gmail.com. We would also
appreciate your sending copies to us at jrosenof@comcast.net and phgordon04@gmail.com Everyone who knew Steve
at Wheatley probably remembers what a talented athlete he was. He
excelled at tennis and after Wheatley went on to attend Temple University on
a tennis scholarship. He majored in communications. After college, he
worked as a tennis pro and met Nadine when she started taking lessons. They
settled in the Philadelphia area and Steve eventually joined the family
business. He rose to VP of sales and was instrumental in growing the
company into an apparel giant. At some point, Steve switched from
tennis to golf and excelled at that as well. Steve and Nadine had a
wonderful marriage. They raised two sons, Todd and David, and
enjoyed a large, extended family. Steve was always fun-loving and at
the same time hard-working. He was extremely social and could engage
with anyone. He made everyone he interacted with feel as if they were the
most important person in the world. He would drop everything to help a
friend. Steve remained friends with many Wheatley-ites. David
Kushner spoke movingly at Steve’s funeral about how special their lifelong friendship
was. Steve and Nadine
(in the middle) with Todd, David, and their wives Steve loved his family
deeply and was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son, and friend, as well
as colleague. Sadly, he was diagnosed
with early Alzheimer’s around twelve years ago. Nadine, along with two
“angels,” his home health aides, who became family, lovingly cared for him
and always maintained his dignity. Steve is survived by his
beloved wife of 46 years, Nadine Flexer; by his children, Todd (Erin
Harrison) Rosengarten and David (Sarah Sallee) Rosengarten; by his four
grandchildren, Coco, Minou, Noah, and Blair; and by his sisters, Jane
(Howard) Rosenof and Phyllis (Bob) Gordon. Contributions in his
memory may be made to the Steve Rosengarten Alzheimer’s Fund at the Penn
Memory Center, Penn Medicine Development, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750,
Philadelphia, PA 19104 or click https://giving.aws.cloud.upenn.edu/fund?program=MED&fund=604805 Steve and
Phyllis Jane and Steve Fan Mail
1966 (Jane Rosengarten Rosenof) - “I appreciate your honoring Steve in this way.”
Art
Arthur Fredericks Engoron, Class of 1967 |