Rose Marie Vesper

New Richmond - Rose Marie Vesper (nee Heiselmann), 81, of New Richmond, OH, passed away on December 4, 2018, at her residence. Born October 4, 1937, in Cincinnati, OH to the late Leonard and Hazel Heiselmann. Beloved wife of Dr. Lee J. Vesper for 57 years.

Loving mother of Stephanie Gephardt (Andrew), Dr. Jennifer Vesper (Dr. Thomas Andrews), and Jessica Vesper (Daniel Mitchell). Grandmother of Lily, Sophie, Charlotte, Kylie, Jake, Chase, and Tyler Grant. Sister of Leonard Heiselmann, Mary Lou Heiselmann, and Barbara McGonegle (Jack).

Preceded in death by her brother; Robert Heiselmann, and sister; Juanita Grigas.

Rose was born on October 4, 1937 in Madisonville, Ohio and attended St. Cecilia school in Oakley. She graduated with a B.A. from Edgecliff/Xavier University, and a Masters degree in English from Midwestern University (TX). She was a school teacher for eight years and a farmer of a 230 acre farm. Rose loved horses and was an accomplished rider from an early age, enjoying riding at Red Fox Stables and the surrounding countryside. She later taught horseback riding at Fort Scott Summer Camp in New Baltimore, Ohio where she met her future husband, Lee Vesper, the assistant to the camp's medical director, "Doc" Schroeder. She was civic leader, a member and later the President of the Board of Trustees (1986-1988) of the Clermont County Farm Bureau, President of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Social Services of Southwest Ohio (1987-1988; Board Member starting 1980), Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Camp (1984-1988; Board Member starting 1979). She became a member of the Legislative Committee of the 12,000-member Ohio State Medical Association in 1979 and later a member of the Legislative Committee of the 1,600-member Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati. Those experiences led her to become a State Representative for the 72nd District of Ohio for four two-year terms, serving her constituents in Clermont, Brown and part of Clinton County from January 3, 1993-December 31, 2000. In June, 1998 the Cincinnati Enquirer conducted its first survey to rate 19 lawmakers in the Cincinnati delegation. Those surveyed were the Statehouse press corp, their 113 General Assembly colleagues, and registered lobbyists. Rose had the second highest overall score behind Senator Richard Finan, and she was voted as having the highest integrity. When term limits kept her from running again, she was appointed Economic Development Director for Southwestern Ohio by Governor Bob Taft representing Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties starting in early 2001. Rose organized and funded the first New Richmond River Festival almost 40 years ago which featured the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra performing on a barge anchored to the bank of the Ohio River in New Richmond. Her generosity, integrity, honesty and kindness will not be soon forgotten.

Visitation will be held at E.C. Nurre Funeral Home 177 W. Main St. (St. Rt. 125) Amelia, on Sunday, December 9, 2018, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 7820 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255, on Monday, December 10, 2018, at 10:00 AM. Interment Greenmound Cemetery.

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Published by The Cincinnati Enquirer from Dec. 8 to Dec. 9, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Rose Vesper

16 Entries

December 13, 2018

Dear Dr. Vesper and family,
I join you in grieving the passing of one of the most gifted people that I have had the pleasure and privilege of working alongside in my career. Rose was more than a member of the Ohio State Medical Association legislative committee during my tenure at the OSMA; she was the oracle on political matters. Her knowledge and insights were such that when Rose spoke, everyone listened. She earned that same level of respect when she served in the Ohio House. Few conducted their affairs with the same class and integrity that Rose did. It was joy to have known Rose and a high honor to be able to work with her. The world lost a great one this past week. My sincere condolences to you all on her departure.
John Van Doorn

Tim Inwood

December 11, 2018

God rest Rose, the people of Clinton County loved her. Our deepest condolences to the family. Tim Inwood Chairman Clinton Co. Republican Party

December 11, 2018

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

December 11, 2018

So sorry to hear about Rose. I remember talking about her political career and other political matters with Lee when I was a patient of his.
Jane Anderson

Michael Hall

December 10, 2018

My sincerest condolences.

Tony Seegers

December 10, 2018

I know Rose when she was at the statehouse representing her constituents. She was and is, a wonderful person. God bless her and her family.

December 10, 2018

Our sincere condolences on the loss of the beautiful and kind Rose, beloved, wife, mother, sister. Our prayers are with the entire family at this time.

Philip Schutte

December 9, 2018

Dr. Lee:
Prayerful condolences on the passing of your beloved Wife Rose.

I have asked my departed wife Sue, to meet Rose and show her around heaven---they should have a great time discussing the two of us.

Jim Koors, who lives in Baltimore also sends his deepest consolation.

Prayers for you and your family coming your way during this Holy Season.

December 8, 2018

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

December 8, 2018

So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and strength in God's promise found at John 6:40

Jane Volker Wenning

December 8, 2018

It is with much sadness that I read the obituary for Rose Heiselman Vesper this morning. I was honored to be one of her students at Saint Lawrence School in Price Hill early in her teaching career. A teacher's pet for sure, I was thrilled when she picked me to help her clean out her horse stalls at Fort Scott.....a privilege I can still vividly remember and one I thoroughly enjoyed! I loved and respected Miss H so much that I took her name as my confirmation name. Another classmate and I bravely ventured from Price Hill to Oakley on one or two buses to attend her wedding. Miss H was an excellent teacher, one of the first and quite possibly the prettiest lay teacher at Saint Lawrence back in the day! I can honestly say that all of the little boy students fell madly in love with her! She even took time from her busy life to attend my classes' 25th grade school reunion in 1987 which was very special to us! Miss H will forever be fondly remembered and loved by this adoring student of hers. I am so very proud of the many accomplishments in her life, for the beautiful family she created, and so thankful for the wonderful education and lifelong memories she gave me.
My heartfelt sympathy to her family, friends and colleagues. Miss H will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.
With much love,
Jane Claire Rose Volker Wenning
Saint Lawrence School 1962
West Chester, OH

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Gabriel Sciallis

December 7, 2018

Dear Jennifer:
Both Mary and I are saddened to hear this news on this holy time for you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.
Gabe and Mary Sciallis, M.D. (Noah)

Mardell Glinski Schultz

December 7, 2018

I first met Rose when I was five years old. She was so pretty and sophisticated and thoughtful. I can still see her face when she was playing the "Frisch's Waitress" to all of us girls sitting at her kitchen table. We would all order the only item on the menu -- peanut butter & jelly -- but as we each placed our "order" she would look so serious and write it down as if we were really important people. Rose was not like the other mothers of my friends. She was a uniquely independent person who was educated with varying interests and a strong identity. She stood out at a time when most Moms were homemakers. Rose and Lee were both generous people who invited me to their "farm" property every Sunday along with the rest of their family. We would all load in that big Bonneville so we could get out of the city and climb hay stacks, collect eggs at the neighbor's farm, wade in the creek and ride horses. These are just amazing memories I will have for the rest of my life. She instilled in me a lifelong love of horses, riding and the rural life by including me with her family. Later, in my 20's she let me ride her thoroughbred, "Martha". Stephanie and I would fly over fields in the middle of that big farm with no helmets, no cell phones, no sunscreen and nobody within 10 miles. Times were good! When I would go into the farmhouse and see her jeans hanging on a hook (that were like a size 2, incidentally) and her work boots, I thought, "THAT is who I want to be one day". I think Rose knew I really admired her. She was very special.

Eric Weisheit

December 7, 2018

Rose was an extremely kind and generous woman. The kind of person you loved the second you met her. I know I did. Her amazing family is a lasting tribute to her time here on earth.

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