Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

David Rothstein

About

Northeastern University University of Michigan

FUNERAL HOME

Czelusniak Funeral Home

173 North Street

Northampton, Massachusetts

David Rothstein Obituary

DAVID ROTHSTEIN

Northampton, MA - David (Dave) Rothstein of Florence, beloved son, brother and uncle, died suddenly at the age of 57, days before heading to Sweden to carve at the Ice Hotel. He is survived by his father, Dr. Ralph Rothstein, sisters Deborah (Scott) and Pamela, and nephews Zachary (Raji & Anasuya) and Ansel (Sydney), and by his cat Boomer.

David was born in Worcester to Jane and Dr. Ralph Rothstein. The youngest child by several years, he enjoyed a special, devoted, lifelong bond with Ralph and Jane. As a youngster, David was drawn to the natural world and exhibited a keen curiosity and creativity. At the University of Michigan, he studied wildlife biology and shared "Go Blue" fervor with fellow alumnus Ralph. Next he studied law at Northeastern University, spending co-ops in Alaska and, after graduation, clerking for the Alaska Supreme Court. Throughout his legal career, David devoted himself to environmental protection. He returned to Massachusetts, working for the EPA in Boston and the U.S. Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service in Hadley. His final position as Land Protection Specialist with Mass Audubon utilized all his professional and people skills to secure open space in our state.

David was the most gentle soul and made friends readily, connecting with people from all walks of life. Attentive, empathic, and truly kind, generous with hugs, he made people feel heard, seen and appreciated. An artist at heart, when he was not working, he threw himself into creating art in multiple media with boundless passion and wit. Alaska first inspired him to try snow sculpting, a medium in which he excelled, winning international competitions and working with teams that he loved around the world. In recent years, he turned to hay sculpture at Park Hill Orchard, exhibited photography and created public art around Northampton. He always tried to elevate local businesses and farmers with his art. He even became a mint farmer and partnered with local food producers. His November 2023 cruise in a giant pumpkin (!) down the Connecticut River made the news and aimed to raise awareness about protecting the river and watershed.

David did not live long enough, but he lived his life to the fullest, pursued dreams and touched so many people, animals and places that bear his mark. May his memory be for a blessing. A celebration of David's life will take place at a future date.

Contributions honoring David's memory can be made to Mass Audubon, the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership, and Dakin Humane Society or to an organization of your choice.

Please go to Czelusniakfuneralhome.com for online condolences and tribute book.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Nov. 18, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for David Rothstein

16 Entries

Laura F

November 19, 2025

I am really going to miss seeing Dave's blue car driving by our farm near Arcadia, and him waving at us in our garden, with a huge smile on his face. Sometimes he'd stop; I always made time to visit with him because it was just so enjoyable and positive. Absolutely crushing to learn that he is gone. What a loss for our community. What a blessing he was.

Tina Cornell

November 19, 2025

I'm so very sad to hear of Dave's passing. As many have said and written, Dave was one-of-a-kind, the most unique of souls, an inspiration, a balm for us all, a creative genius, and a great caretaker of our environment. It's crushing to lose him this soon from our community; he will be truly, and deeply missed. I hope his memory inspires many for years to come, since he really touched all that knew him. Sincere condolences to his family and close friends.

Spencer Simon

November 18, 2025

I am so sad to hear of Dave's passing. He was truly a renaissance man. Funny, friendly, hardworking, and stunningly smart. A true mench. I knew him through work. Every now and then he would sneak into my office and prank me; he would slap my Easy Button or tap me on the shoulder when I was in deep thought and vanish. Then he would return a minute later to kibitz. He was a remarkable attorney, and I had complete confidence in him. I remember in one brief he wrote that (we) had "precious little time" to prepare documents for the Court; words so true I will never forget them. And his creativity! His photography, snow designs in the driveway, sidewalk art and ice sculptures were just incredible. I feel so fortunate to have known him and devastated he is gone. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Kathie Brown

November 18, 2025

I am heartbroken that my dear friend who helped me (he would say we helped each other) get through the deepest depths of the covid lockdown by taking long, meandering walks together, is no longer here to talk with and rely upon. Helping him weed and plant his mint gardens was a delight because he was a brilliantly enthusiastic mint and pollinator nerd with an innate sense of whimsy and joy. I remember buzzing around the fields of one of his mint farms in the golf cart after a few hours of weeding, then wandering through the woods nearby studying the sky, the river, native plants, and the water table. On first frosts in autumn, we would rise before dawn, put on three winter layers, and meet up at some pre-planned local garden of freshly frosted flowers to take photos of the crystalline forms during their last few hours of life. I will miss him always.

Gale Hubley

November 18, 2025

We didn't work closely together but we would smile in passing at work and he love all the things I too love. The world has lost a truly good soul. We need more like him.

Matt Morris

November 18, 2025

My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of carving with Dave last winter after many years of online friendship. He made it happen. His kindness, leadership and pure joy was inspiring.
We often speak of many of Dave´s art forms as being ephemeral. And in the grand scheme of things we are all here for a short time. May we carry the memory of Dave´s life with us as an inspiration to be kind, to pursue our dreams and connect deeply with others.

I´ll include a picture of Dave in front of our 10´ square snow block in Yellowknife, NWT last March.

Eric S Bennett

November 18, 2025

Dave was a wonderful person to know, and I was always thrilled and intrigued by his art. Especially his snow and ice sculptures. I was always happy to see him in his penguin costume (which he got from me) during the hot chocolate run. The world was a better place with Dave in it, and he will be missed in so many ways. Every time it snows, he will be there.

Michael Nedell

November 18, 2025

I sculpted with and next to Dave many many times. He saw life through a beautiful lens and I will miss him greatly.

Valerie Slocumb

November 18, 2025

A life well lived!

I worked with Dave for many years at FWS where we became friends. He taught me so much about the law, the environment and life. I have missed him since his retirement and looked forward to his facebook posts. He was truly a great person.

My sincerest condolences to the Rothstein family.

Liz Lewis

November 18, 2025

Dave was one of the most well-rounded and humble individuals I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. It was always exciting to discover the new projects that he was working on. I'll never forget the last time that I saw him, dancing outside of the conference room at Arcadia, while I was trying to focus on a meeting. Later that day, he affectionately told the Arcadia turtle, Peta, that he loved her. He was inspirational and will be greatly missed!

Alex Hoar

November 18, 2025

What a shock this news is to me. For many years, I worked with Attorney David at the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Hadley. His council was always spot on and appreciated. We became friends.

Chris Woodman

November 18, 2025

I am so very sad about all the stuff Dave and I won´t be doing together in the future. Dave was up for adventure, connecting, creating, playing and fun... all with heartfelt enthusiasm and positivity. He lured me out of my comfort zone and we had some pretty great adventures. Who doesn´t need a friend that brings that? Sigh.

I agree with so much that people have said... and even though I´m pouting today about having been robbed of my friend... I know I am lucky to have been loved by that guy, even if only for a few years...and my life-and more importantly how I see my life-is improved because we were friends.

I will do my best to keep him in my thoughts and conversations as I trudge along... and maybe channeling him to make the trudge feel like a little more like a skip.

Peace out, brother

Jeff Parsons

November 18, 2025

Dear Rothstein Family, I was shocked to hear of Dave's passing. I worked with him at the Fish & Wildlife Service for many years. His office was down the hall from me and every time I saw him he had a smile on his face. Dave always took the time to talk with me and he had a positive attitude to life. Occasionally, I would see him outside of work carving away at a piece of ice. He was a talented artist. He was a good person and treated everyone with respect. My deepest condolences. Jeff Parsons

Kevin Mulligan

November 18, 2025

We were all better people for having known Dave.

Celeste

November 18, 2025

I was just an acquaintance and community member who loved his work. He brought such beauty and joy to this world with his art. The world has lost a great artist.

Becca

November 18, 2025

I'm just a random community member who loved knowing Dave was out here Dave-ing the past 20 years.. To meet him, even for the shortest moments, was to remember and love him. Love to all touched by this man's light. Hug each other. And may his light keep twinkling in all of us. His memory is a blessing. It's a gutpunch that he's not right here with us. But he is. I tell myself, but he is.

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results