Our beloved father Frederick Dietrich Rosenberg died on Thursday, Feb. 4. Born in Emden, Germany, on Feb. 9, 1925, he was raised in Binghamton, New York. After proudly serving in World War II, he became a naturalized citizen in 1945. Rosenberg was a graduate of Hamilton College and Duke University School of Law. After practicing in New York City, N.Y., Memphis, Tenn., and Binghamton, N. Y., he began a new life with his wife and six children on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, with the law office of Bailey, Wood & Rosenberg. He was a charismatic, witty and entertaining founder of the Round Table lunch group at the Grand Hotel. His strength of character and stalwart adherence to his conservative principles endeared and angered many. After retiring in 1986, he and Pat moved to Englewood, Florida, and then to Brevard, N.C., in 2000.
An anecdote related by one of his closest friends, Eugene Romano of Utica, N.Y., and Dorado, Puerto Rico, highlights the mischievous side of Dad’s nature: “In the fall of 1946, Fred entered Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, dressed in the WW II veteran garb of the day as was 80 percent of the freshman class — G. I. Army wools with combat boots. A four- year course in public speaking was mandatory, as was sophomore attendance at all freshman speech classes. As a sophomore, I watched Fred ascend stairs to the podium. The assignment of the day was to capture total attention of the audience in the first 30 seconds. Fred quickly removed his combat boots and the wool pants, which he folded over an outstretched arm. To wild applause, he acknowledged with a WW II Victory "V" sign and received an "A" on this assignment! He was my close friend and fraternity brother at Hamilton, where he was admired, respected and loved by all. Twenty years later, he was my attorney for several years in a business venture we shared on St. Thomas. Fred’s door was open to all, regardless of whether one could pay. He was more concerned with human rights, fairness and help to people of all races, origins and means.
“In 2002, I returned to St. Thomas, 16 years after Fred and Pat had left the island. The universal answer to my question ‘Did you know Fred Rosenberg?’ was a joyful smile and a respectful reply, ‘Mon, he was a great guy!’"
Rosenberg was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Young Rosenberg; his parents, Dietrich and Greta Rosenberg; and brother, Dietrich Rosenberg. He is survived by his brothers: Siegfried of Binghamton, New York, and Edward Rosenberg of Englewood, Florida; children: Gretchen Brown (and husband, Geoff), Erika Rosenberg (and husband, John Reinke), Christian Rosenberg (and wife, Jennie), Fred Rosenberg Jr.( and wife, Suki), Ilse Kirchoff (and husband, Craig), and Katy Rosenberg; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held in Brevard, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, please play the pull my finger game with your children or grandchildren. Dad will be laughing for eternity.
