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Vattel Rose Obituary
Following a four-year tour of duty, Ted returned to Baltimore to earn a bachelor's degree in English from Morgan State University (then College, 1959). He went on to earn a master's degree and doctorate in American Studies from the University of Iowa (1964) and University of Minnesota (1972), respectively. Ted spent his career in academia teaching, primarily, in his passion areas: the African American experience through literature, arts, and culture. He taught at Case Western Reserve University and Howard University before joining the then Afro-American Studies Department at Ohio University in 1978. He remained until his retirement in 2003, serving as Department Chair for seventeen years.
Ted was a renaissance man - an avid reader, jazz buff, international traveler, and baseball fan (Go O's). He was a great conversationalist and dapper dresser with a dry sense of humor. Ted played racquetball for more than 40 years and remained active as the elder statesman of a multi-generational group of players. Before his death, Ted made a generous donation of more than 10,000 volumes of books, records, and CDs to the Morgan State University library. Posthumously, his family donated an additional 1,000 books to the Wilberforce University library.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his children, Henry D. Rose (Cleo) and Valija C. Rose (Daniel Blue); six grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ted also leaves behind special friends, Dr. Harold C. and Mrs. Tanya Thompson and family, Dr. Kenneth Johnson, and Richard McCoy, as well as Curt, Rich, and Nick of the Little Professor Bookstore, which he supported for more than 40 years.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life via Zoom on Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. ET. Contact one of his family members for additional information.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Vattel Rose
Kristin Riley
June 9, 2020
Dr. Rose was my professor and mentor at OU in the 1990s. He was a dear, sweet man who taught me so much.
Gina Ruffin (Veanise) Moore
June 8, 2020
He was a trailblazer that built a department for many others to follow!
George Mauzy
June 2, 2020
Dr. Rose was a class act. He was always a gentleman who showed people respect at all times and was an all-around great man.
JOHN L. BUTLER
June 1, 2020
WILL MISS YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND YOUR LOVE FOR THE NEWS OF JAZZ
William Owens
June 1, 2020
Ted, My dear colleague. I will miss you, your wit and warmth, your goodness.
Willie & Joetta Geddie
June 1, 2020
Lovingly remembering our special friendship as we served in the US Airforce together many years ago. We continued our friendship through 2020. The memory of the one we loved will shine forever!
Willie S. & Joetta Geddie, Harriet, Holly, & Kristofer
Don Carter
June 1, 2020
Will miss Ted's friendly smile and competitive nature, and that burning backhand from the back left of the court. 40 years of friendship as a racquetball partner. Will remember decades of early morning exercise and friendly competition. Ted will be missed.
David Rose
May 31, 2020
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
David Rose
May 31, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
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