Arthur Z. Rosen

Arthur Z. "Art" Rosen died Saturday, May 9, 2009, with family and friends by his side at Sierra Vista Hospital in San Luis Obispo. Art was a man of people, causes, ethics and music. His life had been one of cultivating long-time associates with students and friends, supporting causes and sustaining musical interests. He was born to Mary and Sam Rosen of Oil City, Pa., in February 1920 - the youngest of four brothers Norman, Maurice "Maurie," and David. His early years were spent in Oil City where he attended Grove City College on scholarship. In the late 1930s, Art and his brother, David, set out in a "jalopy" on a cross-country trip to California. Their objective was to enter the University of California at Berkeley. Art entered the program in physics; David pursed his interest in law. Later, Art''s family followed and established their home in Pasadena. While studying at Cal, Art met Norman Graham and they spent many hours tending tables and washing dishes at the women''s dorms. They maintained and enjoyed this friendship through their periodic reunions for over 70 years. The real joy of his life at Cal was having met an anthropology student, Marie Venetia. Their courtship led to marriage on December 9, 1941 - this strong relationship of 46 years, lasted until Marie''s death in 1988. Art''s interests in nuclear physics brought him to the forefront of science and the Lawrence Berkeley Lab, where he worked from 1942 to 45, when he joined the U.S. Navy. Upon his discharge, he reentered the University in pursuit of his Ph.D., which he completed in 1952. Art took a lecturer position at UCSB in 1951 and lived at Trout Club overlooking the Pacific and the campus. In 1953, the new Dr. Rosen accepted a position at California Polytechnic College (later, University), where he joined the Science Department. Over the next 40 years he was instrumental in the development of the Physics Department, its programs and new faculty. From 1958 to 1980, he served as Cal Poly''s Radiation Safety Officer, and in 1981, he assisted in establishing the Cal Poly Physics Department Radio-analytical Facility (RAF). He headed this program, which conducted careful environmental radiation monitoring throughout San Luis Obispo County, that involved PG&E, the California Department of Health Services, and San Luis Obispo County Health Department. PG&E sponsored RAF for 14 years. Since 1995, it has been sponsored by county, university and private sources. Dr. Rosen''s home invasion injury caused the program to be canceled in 2007. Art retired from Cal Poly in 1993, and much of the RAF activity was completed as an Emeritus Professor on a volunteer basis. There was a lot more going on for Art. His concern for justice and the human condition brought out his involvement in many organizations. He served on the local board of directors for the ACLU, was active in La Causa and contributed financially to many professional groups and causes. Art''s interest in music was life-long, having played the clarinet in his youth. He has been a major contributor and sponsor of the Foundation for the Performing Art and the Mozart (Mozaic) Festival. His nephew, Nathaniel Rosen, is an internationally known cellist and brought about interest and sponsorship of musical activities by the entire Rosen family. Art and Marie loved to travel. Starting in the mid-1950s, they learned Spanish together at night school and spent the next 25 years traveling to Mexico on winter breaks. In their fondness for Mazatlan, they had many friends accompany them on these excursions. During summer vacations they traveled the West Coast, Colorado and New Mexico areas. Favorite among Art''s travel was his invitational trip to China with a delegation of U.S. scientists that explored Chinese university physics programs and facilities. With brother David, Art made a similar journey to Cuba to look at university level physics teaching there. This led to an exchange of ideas, and Art joined with an American group that supplied books, equipment and materials to improve university teaching capabilities. Another exploration trip exposed Art to Northern Europe and Siberia. The trip was aboard a Soviet icebreaker that started in Murmansk, sailed along the Northern Russian seacoast, the full width of Siberia, through the Bering Strait and ending in Eastern Asiatic Russia. Another exploratory trip with David found them in the Middle East that ended in a tour of the treasures of Egypt. Art enjoyed a life full of students, friends and family. He is survived by four nephews and their families Stephen (Linda) Rosen, Nathaniel "Nick" Rosen, Lee (Shirley) Rosen and Ronald (Cynthia) Rosen; 10 grand and great grand nephews and nieces; sister-in-law, Bette Rosen; friends Paul Robinson and Margaret "Peg" Chiladeaux; and many other friends and students who will remember him for a long, long time. There will be a memorial gathering for friends and family at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Philips Hall, behind the Performing Acts Center at Cal Poly. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Arthur Z. Rosen Memorial Scholarship, Attn: Cassie Carter, Cal Poly Foundation, College of Science & Math Advancement Office, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407.