Note from Michael Eliastam.
SAD NEWS. Roger Rosenberg passed away last night in the UK after about a week in ICU on a respirator/ventilator due to Corona virus disease. The funeral will be in about 5 days. Fortunately Barbara and some of his immediate family was able to be with him. I remember him as a very smart guy, a good doctor, a subtle sense of humor, a man of broad interests, and an all round good guy.
Please note - On the In Memoriam page there is a link to his latest Profile Page. Check out the Facebook link listed adjancent to "Website", - shows his talents as gardner, artist and all round Renaissance man.
Eric Faerber
Roger was a wonderful and sincere friend,very personable and had a great sense of humor. He and Barbara were warm and gracious hosts. Esme and I always enjoyed being with them. He will be forever remembered.
Eric Faerber.
Alan Reichman
The last time I saw Roger was at the reunion at Hunter's Rest. I had a long chat to him about his life in London and shared some details about my life in the USA. He told me that before he emigrated to the UK he had bought my parents' house in Observatory Ext and lived there for a while. I had lived in that house from age 9 until I got married in 1969.
I did not know Roger very well but always liked his pleasant laid back disposition. RIP Roger.
Condolences to Barbara.
Alan Reichman
David Nathanson
I'm so sad to hear this morning about my friend, Roger. We met in 1961 at the main Wits campus, and discovered that we lived about a block away from each other in Yeoville. We became very close, doing so many things together: studying, of course, travelling, double dating, playing chess, and tennis, eating many meals with his parents and mine, making rounds with our brilliant teachers at Baragwanath, the Joh'burg Gen, Children's Hospital, and one memorable visit to a state psychiatric hospital near Potchefstroom. I attended his wedding and he mine. We went our separate ways, as all the rest of us did, after we graduated, and he was far away from me when, while in general practice, he developed what was likely a viral cardiomyopathy, which he quietly and courageously survived and overcame. We met again in Scottsdale at our 45th alumni reunion, he and Barbara sharing their family and other stories. How fiercely we love people we don't realize we love -and then they are gone. Damn this virus! My hospital in Michigan is already overwhelmed, with 600 people admitted with the virus (in 5 hospitals), 450 in isolation and the rest in our overflowing ICUs. I'm quarantined at home because of my age, and all elective surgeries postponed until further notice. For Barbara - I'm so sorry you lost this great man who influenced so many lives (mine amongst them) and my sincere condolences to your children and grandchildren.
Pat Nathan (Amitai)
So sad to hear the news about Roger. We were in the same firm in fourth year and often carpooled. I have only good memories of Roger. Sincere condolences to Barbara and family.
Norman Silverman
I knew Roger from childhood. We lived a block away from each other in Sydenham. As a five-year-old child he once tried to drown me in a swimming pool! I am sure he did not know what he was doing, but I have never forgotten the trauma.
He and his brother Stephen, went to Marist Brother's School in Observatory and we lost social contact except at the times when we went to Synagogue together at Temple Shalom. I remember his dad was is was always very proud of him.
As an adult he was a quiet, but friendly person. I last saw him at Hunter’s rest and confronted him about the attempted drowning which hw had completely forgotten about!
His death is sobering as the Covid19 virus has the opportunity to take a number of us.
Heather and I extend our sympathy to Barbara and their family and also to Roger’s brother Stephen.