ROTHSTEIN, Sam
Sam passed away on July 8, 2014 at the age of 93. He was born on January 12, 1921 in Shenyahova, a village near Bobrysk, Belarus (part of Russia at the time). Sam came to Canada at the age of two. He earned a BA in French and English from UBC in 1939, an MA in French from Berkley in 1940 and was working towards his PhD when WWII began. After serving as a member of the Canadian Counter-Intelligence Unit between 1942 and 1945, he returned to Canada and completed his Bachelor of Library Science at UBC in 1947. Sam worked as a reference librarian at UBC and then he and his wife, Miriam Rothstein (Teitelbaum) travelled to the University of Illinois where he obtained his PhD in Librarianship in 1954, the first Canadian to hold that degree. Sam founded the Faculty of Librarianship at UBC and he served as its first Director from 1970 to 1986. He was internationally recognized for his pioneering work as a reference librarian and he was a leader in developing the discipline of Library Science internationally over four decades. Most of all, Sam was passionate about public service which, for him, was synonymous with public libraries. He served as the president of many public libraries and was instrumental in creating the library at the Vancouver Jewish Community Centre. The only thing that Sam loved more than books, libraries and a great joke was his family. He was predeceased by Miriam, his wife of 67 years, his two brothers, Aser and Maurie and his sisters, Sophie and Reta, all of whom doted on him for reasons they didn't quite understand. Sam's daughters, Linda (Ian), and Sharon (Philippe) and his grandchildren, Matt and Sara, Charlotte and Maddy, were his biggest fans and the source of his greatest pride. Donations in memory of Sam may be made to the Vancouver Public Library Foundation, online or at 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B1. Funeral on Friday, July 11, 2014, at 2 p.m., Beth Israel Cemetery, 1721 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, B.C.
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12 Entries
August 10, 2014
Jennifer Crenshaw
Bless your heart
July 17, 2014
Colleen Tobman
I was so sorry to read of Sam's passing. I was a student of his in the late 60's and always enjoyed his sense of humour, his amazing ability to memorize all his students - and remember them with their names for years - and his love of people in general. It impressed me that he and many of his colleagues joined us lowly students even at our house and other parties, a duty above and beyond. I kept in touch with the Rothsteins through an annual letter for many years. If there is a better place, he will be there smiling.
July 13, 2014
Marty Lemish
Sam and Miriam Rothstein were delightful enthusiastic and caring friends to all . I was fortunate to travel with them through Morocco and Israel. Sam... you and your beloved Miriam will be missed and lovingly remembered.
July 12, 2014
Jane Manning
Dear Linda and family,
I was lucky enough to know "Mr. Rothstein" as your kind and welcoming dad! When Heather Bain and I would drop in to see you your dad always took the time to say hi ...not too common for parents back in the late 60's !
July 11, 2014
David Hamilton
Sam was instrumental in bringing my grandfather to Vancouver in the early 60's. Without that event my life and the lives of many Hamilton's would not have existed. Thank you Sam Rothstein.
July 11, 2014
Mary Kierans
What a guy--what a passionate and funny man--who inspired us to become public library zealots.
July 11, 2014
Barbi Lazarow
I can still see his infectious smiles. He was always kind and supportive. His courses were always fantastic - the fact that I can recall them some 30 years after the fact is testament to his mastery.
Barbi Hollenberg Lazarow, class of 1983
July 10, 2014
Morton and Jean Rothstein
Our best cousin and best friend. We will deeply miss a wonderful person.
July 10, 2014
Judi Saltman
Sam was a great teacher, thoughtful colleague, and wonderful mentor to me. He created a brilliant faculty at the School of Librarianship in the 1960s, who taught a generation of excellent librarians. He continued his warm relationship with SLAIS throughout his life. We shall miss him terribly. My condolences to his daughters and their families, of whom he was so proud.
July 10, 2014
Barbara Chouinard
Sam Rothstein was without a doubt my favourite professor at library school. He was a gifted teacher, thoughtful man and just a very kind person.
He was the main reason why I pursued a career as a reference librarian and only departed from that due to changing circumstances.
I feel so fortunate to have had him as a teacher and mentor.
July 10, 2014
Amos Lakos
Sam was an enthusiastic teacher, who cared for each student personally. He was loved by all. I graduated from the Library School in 1977, and Sam was my favorite. Amos
July 10, 2014
Chris Bull
I was a teaching assistant to Sam in the early 70's. I think about him often as a mentor and a great guy. Chris Bull, Class of '74
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