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RICHARD ROTHSTEIN Obituary

ROTHSTEIN--Richard David,

J.D. (1943-2018), a screenwriter, died peacefully on April 16, 2018 at his home in Los Angeles. Richard was born in Torrington, CT, and grew up on Long Island. He attended Syracuse University, graduated from New York University and received his J.D. from Temple Law School. He is best known for being the creator of the HBO TV series, "The Hitchhiker", and for the original screenplay, "Universal Soldier", which was followed by three sequels in 1999, 2009 and 2012. He has written many screenplays and graphic novels in the science fiction/horror genre. He wrote passionately and assiduously up until the final months of his life. Richard is survived and dearly missed by his wife, Bushra of 46 years, his daughter, Sara and son-in-law, Grant Ross, his son, Joshua and daughter, Jessie, her husband, Nick Abbitt and four grandchildren, Grayson and Olivia Ross and Jordan and Elijah Abbitt. There will be a private family service in Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Saban Community Clinic, 8405 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. sabancommunityclinic.org/ Donations.aspx. All donations will be used for the support of mental health clients.

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Published by New York Times on Apr. 22, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD ROTHSTEIN

Sponsored by Bushra Rothstein.

15 Entries

Andrew Garvin

April 16, 2024

Richard must be sending me movies. Today i have this visual of him sitting on the couch (with you Bushra), at 170 West 73rd. I'm cooking spaghetti for dinner (all we can afford at the time). We're all laughing and listening to the Beetles. It was a wonderful time. Cherished in my heart.

Charlie Cogen

April 16, 2024

Richie(I called him Richie). Bushra(I called her Bushie). Hours and hours we spent together just doing crazy stuff and mostly laughing with and at each other. I couldn´t believe that you moved away to California. I couldn´t believe that you died. Never said goodby cause you didn´t want to tell me you were sick. See you up there some day.
Charlie

Andrew Garvin

April 18, 2022

We think of Richard (and you Bushra) very often and remember all the good times we had together. He was a wonderful person and friend for so many years. He is missed. We hope that you and the family are doing well. Much love,
Andy and Linda

Pamela Schaenen

April 16, 2022

All the Susskind children remember with fondness how caring and kind Richard was.

We are sure there is a long list of people who were the recipients of his goodness.
Our thoughts are with you his family

barbara bauer

August 22, 2018

Dear Bushra, I have many many times thought of you over the years and was saddened when Mary Lynn told me of Richard's passing. It is a fast world we have lived in and as our children grew and moves happened I lost track of you. Please contact me if you would like to meet for tea sometime. I live in the desert but come to LA all the time. Much love and deepest sorrow for your loss. Barbara Bauer

DOROTHY JIJI

May 31, 2018

I have very fond memories of Richard.
He had a particular knack for things.
He intermittendly stoped off at an antique market in California,
on route to show me some turn of century bungalow homes;
he thought of wanting to remodel...
On display was a murky glass toiletries set that I had liked,
but he did not. When I asked him if he liked it; he responded
very courteously that he did not like the Art Deco Style set.
He did not discourage me nor try convince me otherwise.
(I ended up buying it.)

At times he was critical, soft and spontaneous; all these things
I say are attributes of his beautiful character and humane nature.

I remember his jeans and rugged boots- scuffed and worn!!
And in contrast; at Sara's & Grant's wedding I remember the slick loafers
he has slipped upon his feet.

On one instance, Bushra had recently reminded me of an occasion I had
nearly forgotten between the diverse and divergent personalities of my
father, Khider Jiji, and Richard; whose personal spaces had momentarily
transcended the seeming distances between them as they dissipated into
a simultaneous and timeless simplicity while engaged in words of humor.
They culminated their interaction in an expressive laughter that secured
their bond together.

Richard was cultured and loved the arts.
He was a great supporter of my artwork.
He was inquisitive about the visuals I produced; particularly
the black and white monographs series I had printed.
A particular memory of Richard had stuck indelibly in my head
as he sat attentively and patiently reviewing every slide.
He masterfully, and with an impeccable eye critiqued the work.
I was intrigued by his enthusiasm; and, likewise I had also
enjoyed receiving his artistic commentary and feedback.

Richard loved his wife, Bushra, and equally loved his children.
When they were young he nurtured and tended to them.
He was a good husband and father from what I had observed.

From a universal trajectory; I love Richard for the great
and loving person that he was! I also speak for the beauty
of nature and the love and friendship me and my family
hold in our hearts for our beloved, Richard Rothstein.
He will be missed.

Dorothy Jiji

Hugh and Juliet Helfenstein

May 19, 2018

Please let us share in the burden of your loss. We have fond memories of Richard. He may have danced to a different drum but he did so with utmost charm and good humor. We will miss him.
Hugh and Juliet

Gary Dean And Traci Ruebsamen

May 2, 2018

There is only one Richard. Very dear to us ...and one of our most difficult clients. Which made it so ever sweet when we finally saw him happy. If you can make Richard happy for even a moment, you have really done something special with your real estate life. Traci and I had the joy of seeing Richard actually... love his new home. We helped Richard & Bushra sell the Toluca Lake home- where he became miserable, and into their new home off Mulholland Drive with incredible views, sunsets, and hawks soaring by. We became friends. He called us regularly to tell us about the new gate, the new paint, the new plants and every time ...how much he loved his view from the top of the world. His calls went on way too long, would catch us off guard at awkward moments....but we were always rewarded with the sear of his great wit and many good laughs. I miss his calls. I miss our lunches. We miss Richard deeply.

Bernard (Bunny) Hyman

April 28, 2018

I met Richard on my first day and at my first moment in the dorm at Syracuse University. As I nervously walked into my assigned room to meet my new roommate, I see a person wearing a yellow slicker , lying in bed, reading Camus and smoking a Marlboro. I thought immediately that this is not going to work out but by evening we were inseparable best best friends and thereafter shared a room for two years until he transferred to NYU. We continued our friendship after college going to Law School in an effort to avoid the draft. I was married and had children, Richard met Bushra who also became a wonderful friend.
Unfortunately and I guess mostly because of geography, after they moved to LA we started to lose touch and eventually had no contact at all. I actually always thought that he and Bushra would come back to NY, he used to say to me that he went out to LA in his old Alfa Romeo coupe and he was coming back to NY in that old car. I am sad that I not only lost a friend but that I never got to know him as a Dad and as a successful writer. Richard was a one of a kind , very smart guy with a passion to leave a mark on the world and I think he accomplished his goal. He was an important part of my youth and he will be missed by all who loved him .

Sophie Sussman

April 26, 2018

I have such great memories of Richard growing up, he was always completely himself, such a true writer, always cool wearing ray bans, and always so encouraging of us us kids doing whatever crazy project we wanted to do.

I remember he was very artistic and collected the most amazing furniture. He would always try and show us old wooden antiques he had found, and explain their beauty to us. And I remember he let us completely redecorate his whole house with the furniture he was storing in the basement, something no adult would ever let 10 year olds do, especially to such a nice house, but Richard was totally encouraging and treated us like we were adults.
That's such a rare and amazing quality- that few grown-ups have.

Joan Rothstein Helfenstein

April 24, 2018

As Richards sister, I,along with my husband, children and grandchildren, was the recipient of always having his presence in our life.. For his spirit, authenticity, intellect and wit, I will forever feel blessed.
He was loved by us all. How lucky to have been on this journey with him.
Joan Rothstein Helfenstein

Andy & Linda Garvin

April 24, 2018

I can still recall the days of spaghetti dinners on West 73rd Street (NYC) with Patrick Terrail and our dog Phaedra. The light Richard gave to others with his wit and smile will always be remembered. We have many cherished memories tucked into our hearts. The world has lost someone very special.
To Bushra: May you find strength in the love all around you and comfort in all the wonderful words written and spoken from those of us who loved him.

Richard Mishkin

April 24, 2018

Sad. Much too young. Fond memories of Richard at Syracuse and after; selling balloons at the 1968 Worlds Fair in Flushing, complaining how hard he worked and meeting Bushra - his soul mate.

Charlie Cogen

April 24, 2018

My best and oldest friend. You always made me laugh when we were together. I missed you when you and Bushra moved to California so many years ago. You followed your dream and made it work. So many funny stories and those special visits to your beautiful homes. I still called you Richie and will always remember you. Love You

Pamela Schaenen

April 22, 2018

Our entire family knew and cared for Richard. He was kind , gentle and loving to me, my sister and brother. He offered and ended up taking my younger sister to her prom and pretended to be her date. All the girls were jealous! He played ball with my much younger brother and never seemed to tire. He was ethical and honest. He possessed a rare openness of heart. I'm so glad he had professional success and personal happiness in his life. He must have been the most loving husband and father and his loss must be so painful. I am thinking of you --and him today.
Pamela Susskind Schaenen

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