Deceased July 6, 2020
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In Memory
Ashley Montagu, the British-American anthropologist, once observed, “The idea is to die young as late as possible.” In this, as in so many other endeavors, Dave Rosen succeeded admirably.
Dave passed away at age 101 at his home in West Hartford, Conn. Dave grew up in the South End of Hartford, the son of immigrant parents. He was the recipient of the first Jacob L. Fox Scholarship, which, together with on-campus jobs, enabled him to attend Amherst. An economics major, Dave immersed himself in academic pursuits. As a Jew, Dave was not welcome to join a fraternity at Amherst. Notwithstanding exclusion from this element of the social life of the College, throughout his life Dave felt an enduring bond to the sense of place Amherst represented for him.
Following graduation, Dave planned to attend business school, but World War II intervened. Dave joined the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor, eventually rising to the rank of captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps while stationed in Italy. He was married to Doris Manheim in 1943, and they were together for 55 years until her death in 1996.
After the war, Dave embarked on his long and successful career in the life insurance industry, assuming many industry leadership roles and garnering many honors. He was also active in a variety of civic and community affairs.
Dave delighted in his family and was a friend and mentor to many. He was widely known for his quick wit and ready smile, as well as his unfailing humility, honesty and sense of fairness.
Dave is survived by his two children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be missed deeply, but there is much for family and friends to celebrate.
Mark Rosen ’72