Wiliam Rosenstein

William (Bill) Rosenstein was born in New York City, February 21, 1929. The youngest son of Sam and Jennie (Krumholz) Rosenstein. Predeceased by his precious sisters and their spouses; Sylvia and George Baron, Beatrice (Bea) and Leon Gainen, and Celia and Lou Materese. Survived by his daughters Amy Rosenstein, Paula Rosenstein (spouse Linda “Boo” Briggs), and their mother, first wife Ilse Rosenstein. Jenni Rosenstein Clock (spouse Christopher Clock), daughter of second wife Nan Blethen Rosenstein (d.2007) and grandchildren Samantha and Ethan Clock.

He is survived by nieces and nephews: Joanne Gainen, Theda Gainen Materese, Gail Gainen, Rhea Gainen, Maurice Gainen and Debbie Baron.

Bill was also predeceased by his third wife Marilyn Sims, the love of his life. He is survived by her children Robert Hirsch, Caryn Hirsch and Rorie (Hirsch) Hale and grandchildren: Alex, Ariel, Jessica, Lauren and Katrina Hirsch, Sean and Kelsey Hale, and Adam Kramer.

Proud child of the Bronx, Stuyvesant High School and City College New York. He would beam when speaking of his young life in the Bronx. He had a great group of neighborhood friends who called him “Red”, for his red hair. He loved being supported by his sisters.

He attended the World’s Fair, in 1939 and 1964.

Bill got into computer programming with the first US made computer - UNIVAC. His work took him to Houston, Texas, Maryland, and eventually to California where he made his home for more than 60 years. His work centered around information systems management and consulting. He was a teacher in his work and spent a lot of time traveling to Louisville and Calgary during the latter part of his career.

Upon retirement, he took his interest in teaching and his joy in children and volunteered at a local elementary school one day a week for over 10 years. He treasured the thank you cards he received from each class, keeping them all and sharing them with us - so proud of himself and the students. Even better than this was when he encountered students in the grocery store and they would greet him warmly, “Hello Mr. Rosenstein!” It tickled him so very much.

Bill enjoyed a variety of hobbies over the years. Tennis, golf, Greek dancing, poetry, yoga, tai chi, walking, Opera. He played 9 holes of golf 1-2 times per week until he was about 90. He loved being a Grandpa. He truly delighted in watching the grandchildren grow-up.

He was proudest of his girls, Amy, Paula and Jenni. Sundays were Dad days. We washed the cars, went to the park and played football, catch a ball and frisbee, cooked dinner and played cards. He was a good cook and great on the grill. We listened to music; classical, Jazz, Harry Belafonte, and, of course, the Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra and his buddies. We stood on his feet and danced. We watched sports, Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and 60 minutes. He taught us about life and the world and the need to “make a plan and work the plan.”

Even as dementia worsened, he knew how to get around LA, how to monitor our driving and the traffic and he knew which aisle of the grocery store to find his Lifesavers. He flirted, he joked, he sassed. His face lit up when we entered the room. All of us who loved him will miss him.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, https://www.museumoftolerance.com/, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, https://wiesenthal.org/, Homes for Our Troops, https://www.hfotusa.org/, or a similar organization.