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Robert Rosenberg Obituary
03/28/1955 - 01/08/2025
Robert Michael Rosenberg, born March 28, 1955, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at the age of 69 due to complications of chronic illness.
He was the loving son of Leonard Bertram Rosenberg and JoAnn Schultz Rosenberg. Robert was proud to say he was a third generation Houstonian. He graduated from Bellaire High School, attended Menlo College, and received his undergraduate degree in Asian Studies from Claremont McKenna College.
He earned his Juris Doctor from University of Houston Law Center and had a successful career as a bankruptcy attorney. A man of many lives, Robert frequently worked pro bono to defend death row inmates, gave his time and legal expertise to numerous gay and lesbian causes, AIDS organizations, and struggling arts organizations.
Under the pseudonym Chef Bob, he wrote a column for The Houston Press, which focused more on art than food, and quickly gained him recognition throughout Houston. Robert was also a semi-surreptitious visual artist. In 1992, he won Houston's East End Show with his unique submission of a paint-by-numbers painting. More recently, he garnered national press for a satirical art piece titled "Parking Only: Gay Conversion Therapy," exemplifying Robert's passion for civil rights advocacy. As a young man, Robert spent as much time as possible riding and caring for horses. In his later years, he enjoyed the companionship of his five spoiled dogs.
Robert is survived by his siblings Andrea Holzband (Bruce), Wade Rosenberg (Amy), Eric Rosenberg, and Lynne Rosenberg Siegel, as well as his many nieces and nephews. He is survived also by a crowd of longtime friends including Nestor Topchay, Mariana Lemesoff, Hiram Butler, Betti Maldonado, and Judy Pryor. We are especially grateful to Dr. Kim Bloom for his dedication to Robert's care.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 12th at 1:00pm at Hive Houston, 1603-1609 Northwood St., Houston 77009. In memory of Robert, we invite you to donate to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, at https://giving.lymphoma.org/RobertRosenberg.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Rosenberg
4 Entries
Daniel Brown/ Billy Brody
January 18, 2025
Robert was our landlord for the past 6 years, but he also became a bit of a friend. At the end of the day, he was all about business, but he also opened up to us on many occasions and let us know that he was also very funny, witty and quite a prankster. When we finally met Robert he was everything that we thought he would be: to the point, a bit facetious and very intelligent. Thank you for everything you ever did for us, Robert. We stayed because of you. You made us feel trusted and welcome. Rest easy. Til next time. We will give the City of Wilton Manors a hard time in your memory. Thank you, Robert for everything.
Ben
January 11, 2025
funny man. damned if you, damned if you don't. may he rest easy.
The Bayou Queen
January 11, 2025
I loved you yesterday. I love you today and will love you a lifetime. You will forever be in my heart.
Joel Ruby
January 11, 2025
May his memory be a blessing.
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