Isaiah Rothblatt

Isaiah Leon Rothblatt

March 23, 1924 – July 10, 2014Love Letter to my Father

Dear Dad,

To most onlookers and casual acquaintances, you were a modest and humble man, but to those who knew you, your friends, family and colleagues, you were a towering figure who had a long lasting impact that will never be forgotten. You will be remembered as an intellectual power house, a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather and someone who always sought to help and care for others

The themes of your life are very clear to me, intellectual development (with an emphasis in Philosophy and History), dedication to your family, seeking and finding connections to your friends, family and community, and your never ending service to those in need.

I remember the story of how you met Mom (Agnes Biro) at the University of Madison Hospital where you both volunteered as students, an fitting beginning to your life long profession as a social worker and your personal philosophy of helping others and never expecting anything in return. Your 60 year marriage and partnership with Mom was the ultimate love story, with so many chapters it's difficult to distill in a few sentences, with Mom as the spark plug of your many adventures, your partnership was full of abundance, joy, music, laughter, world travels, and countless dinner parties. Together you raised three sons, Dan, Andre and Raul who grew up to be so individual, yet so similar, a testament to your absolute love and care you bestowed to everyone.

You exemplified the complexities and contradictions of the human spirit: you were a pacifist and a decorated soldier having fought in WWII and for the War of Independence for Israel in 1948, you were agnostic yet actively participated at Temple Sherith Israel, and strongly believed in our heritage, customs and prayer. You sang and prayed loudly knowing our prayers are the threads that linked us to our ancestors and heritage, and you sang and prayed for those in our family who could no longer speak because their voices were silenced in the Holocaust. Finally, you and Mom had amassed a comfortable retirement and yet the only possession you cherished was your extensive book collection.

Your family was paramount importance to you and you adored your parents Benjamin Elihu and Clara Allergant and growing up in Madison, Wisconsin after your birth in Chicago. You spoke fondly of your parents and the impact on your life as well as your siblings Anita, David and Abraham as well as your sister and brother in-law Panni and Roger. You and Mom were the orbital centers of the family, where your sons and their wives, Jayne, Anastasia and Jennifer, nephews, nieces and grandchildren Julia, Charlotte and Eli spun around you, feeling your gravitational pull of love and acceptance.

But your legacy was your dedication of helping others. It was this life long dedication to helping others in any way you could and never expecting anything in return, which will remain as your greatest impact. It was a constant instinct you exercised as a social worker and was extended to everyone you met, client, friend or stranger and it was always performed which grace, thoughtfulness and kindness. You were always grateful to be able for the opportunity to assist people in any way you could, and for 35+ years you took the streetcar to the Dept. of Social Services and practiced the simple yet profound act of caring for others. You started your career at an era when social workers wore suits and ties and ultimately you became the president of the SEIU acting as a champion of not only your clients but your fellow workers. Each day, you would return home, and as boys we cheered your return with glee "Dad is home!" We greeted you as a returning hero, because you were and will always remain our hero.

And in the end, when our roles were reversed and I had the privilege of caring for you, I finally understood the selfless act of caring that you practiced your whole life. I felt joy and gratitude in caring for you, and in that process your spirit entered mine, which I will hold dearly for eternity. I will cherish those memories and know that you are with me whenever I feel love, kindness, acceptance and selflessness.


Your Adoring Son


Funeral services will be held, TODAY, Friday, July 11, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Hills of Eternity Cemetery Chapel, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma, followed by interment. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Congr. Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., SF, 94115.