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George Rostel Obituary
Passed away in Santa Rosa, CA, on March 7, 2019 at the age of 93. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, the son of a dermatologist and an opera singer, both immigrants from Germany.
At 17 George left home to attend Stanford University for his undergraduate education. At 23 George graduated from Yale Medical School earning his MD. While at Yale, he met his beloved wife, Ilse. George and Ilse moved to Sonoma County in 1953 where he opened a pediatric practice and was devoted to his patients. Upon retirement, he began working as a family therapist.
George had many interests and hobbies. He had a lifelong love for magic. He was a long time member of The Brotherhood of Magicians. He loved all aspects of magic: performing, the history, collecting magic effects and also meticulously refurbishing them. In addition, he enjoyed woodworking, classical music, fine art and reading, and his beloved dogs. He spent countless hours working on projects in his shop using meticulous care to perfect his project of the moment.
In George's words, he wanted his remembrance to be that "children loved him and he was a little nuts." George was devoted to his wife, Ilse, who preceded him in death in 2002. He is survived by his children, Laura Morita (Ken) and Chris Rostel (Drue); grandchildren, Emily, Hilary, Katie and Sam, and great grandchildren Josie and Maya.
At his request, there will be no service. Private burial will be at the Santa Rosa Memorial Park.
Donations in his memory may be made to a charitable organization of the donor's choosing.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Rostel
Sponsored by Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. - Santa Rosa Daniels Chapel of the Rose.
Kathy Cervantes
March 8, 2020
My Pediatrician for all my childhood. I am just now seeing this loss. Thank You Dr. Rostel for give ng hope and working with me for years over a tragic childhood. You really helped me. You have me a book nice, Im Ok, Your Ok. I treasure this book now. Im forever changed because you cared about me. You gave me such hope. RIP
Chris and Len Schwarz
April 21, 2019
Our sincere condolences to Dr. Rostel's family and friends.
He was a wonderful man and doctor to our children in the 70s and 80s. Our kids loved his humor. One time he said to my husband and me, "you have such beautiful and intelligent children...how did you two get to be their parents?...We laughed and I asked him if he really expected to be paid for that visit...He was a funny guy.
When my husband was diagnosed with a serious illness, he was so kind to our family and his empathy and understanding was very much appreciated. Mrs. Rostel was a gem, too.
Rest in peace Dr. Rostel, you will always be remembered as a kind man.
Donna Rogers
April 8, 2019
George left an impact on allhe touched. What a wonderful sense of humor and love of life. We all, not just children , loved George. George gave me back my self esteem through hours of therapy. RIP, DEAR George! You are with your love now.
Lucy (Oppenheimer) Courtney
April 1, 2019
George Rostel was the magician at my ?7th? birthday party. It was some time around when the Beatles arrived on the scene, back in the day. It is so true-Kids Love him and he is a little nuts. George and Ilse were friends of our parents, Rudi and Emily. Please accept our Oppenheimer condolences, Family Rostel!
Alan Tomasi
March 26, 2019
First off, I owe my life to him. I got a rare disease when I was a kid and, early on, he had to make a decision between two diagnostic treatments, one of which in hindsight would have killed me. He was conferring with doctors on the east coast to try to solve it. The amount of energy he put into solving it was amazing.
On his medical records all boys got a King card and all girls got a Queen card, although he made you feel like you were the only one who got the King/Queen. If you were afraid of shots, he drew a Mickey Mouse and you watched Mikey drink.
He bought a vacation house up in Gualala near where my grandad lived and he took part in raising money for the local community by performing his magic act. He was friendly, funny and yes goofy.
I kept going to him well into my college years.
Randye Royston
March 23, 2019
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Rostel. I had the privilege of working as George's nurse for the last couple years of his pediatric practice. George was a brilliant, compassionate doctor who knew just how to get kids to cooperate and put aside their fears. Children loved his humor and parents appreciated his patience. George taught me so much...and I will always treasure the love and sense of belonging I felt working with him, his wife, Ilse, and Annette DiPerno, office manager. May peace be to all his friends and family.
Janet Angell
March 22, 2019
George Rostel, one of the greatest guys Ive ever met. He was my pediatrician and also a friend and mentor. Over the years we would see each other in town and catch up on life. He adored his wife and children and always spoke of them first. He was kind, gentle, loving and nonjudgmental...and of course, very smart. So, when you meet a great man like George, you cant help but be a better person. I feel so blessed to have been a friend.
Maxine Angell
March 21, 2019
I had the good fortune of having Dr. Rostel as my pediatrician for my entire childhood and adolescence. He was so smart, gifted and kind, I did not want to leave his care, but in my early twenties, he told me I'd have to find an adult physician. Dr. Rostel was a man of great compassion, kindness, and integrity. He took a sincere interest in his patients and there are so many memorable things he said to me that I will never forget, like at age 13 to never let myself get bored. His great intellect was equally balanced by his compassion, and I saw his great thirst for knowledge and his intellectual curiosity in action. The world has lost a great man and a great light and I will forever treasure his wisdom, kindness and skill. Dr. Rostel loved his wife and children and spoke of them often. May all his family and friends be comforted at this sad time.
March 21, 2019
Please accept sincere condolences. May our Heavenly Father keep your family member in his memory. (Psalms 111:4 HE causes his wonderful works to be remembered. God is compassionate and merciful)
Kathy Doherty Buskirk
March 20, 2019
My condolences to Dr. Rostel's Family! My oldest son was a patient of Dr. Rostel when he was a child. My son would refer to Dr. Rostel as the pink doctor. His medical office on Sonoma Ave at that time was pink.
Paul Hesse
March 17, 2019
Condolences and blessing to the family. Dr. Rostel was our family pediatrian in the 1950/60's. He was a very fine and thoughtful Dr. who we very much appreciated.
May he Rest In Peace
.
mike TARVID
March 17, 2019
george was my therapist from when i was 12 years old. i had a difficult child hood due to the death of my father.. thanks to george, i was able to figure it all out. i looked forward to tuesday's with george. and even as a young adult i still would occasionally stop by for a vist of go to lunch.. i will miss him
March 14, 2019
My heartfelt prayers are with the family at this difficult time of your loss. May God fulfill his promise of binding up the broken-hearted and comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61: 1,2.
T. Lewis
March 14, 2019
May our loving Heavenly Father comfort the heart and mind of family and friends of your dear love one at this sad time.
Psalms 94:18, 19
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