Yale Leonard Rosenberg

YALE LEONARD ROSENBERG, A.A. White Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center, died on Sunday, September 22, 2002. He was born in Houston on April 19, 1939 and educated at Rice University, where he earned a B.A., summa cum laude, in Business Administration - Economics. He also held a LL.B., graduating in the top rank of his class with numerous honors from New York University School of Law in 1964. There he met his wife, colleague, collaborator, and life mate, Irene Merker Rosenberg. Yale Rosenberg was a gentle and distinguished man, who contributed much to his community, to the world of scholarship, to the students he taught, and to the Law Center he graced. While still in High School, Yale was named the "Outstanding Jewish Athlete" in Houston. This was an overall recognition for achievement in many sports, but hardball was his particular game. While earning academic distinction at Rice, Yale also was elected the "Grand Aleph Godol" (International President) of the B'nai Br'ith AZA youth organization. He spent a year at Hebrew University before entering N.Y.U. Law School. Upon attaining his law degree, Professor Rosenberg clerked for the Hon. Judge Oscar H. Davis, of the United States Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. He was at the firm of Arnold & Porter until joining the (New York) Mayor's Task Force on the Constitutional Convention as a Legal Advisor in 1966. From 1967-1972 he served as Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. He joined the University of Houston faculty in 1973, teaching generations of students the law of Civil Procedure, Federal Jurisdiction, Professional Responsibility, Jewish Law and many other fields of study. A distinguished scholar, Yale Rosenberg was an expert in the law of Federal Courts, Habeas Corpus, and Jewish Law. Under his own pen, or in beautiful collaboration with co-author Irene Merker Rosenberg, his writings reflected his passion for the Constitution, for justice for juveniles and the accused, for Jewish law, and for learning. Yale Rosenberg was a beloved member of the Young Israel of Houston congregation. His open heart and generosity will be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched, running a virtual open house for children and adults alike in the community. These ties went beyond Houston to the national and even international community, including many friends and colleagues in Israel and England. Yale Rosenberg is survived by his beloved wife Irene Merker Rosenberg, by his cousins Shirley and Leon Cooper, Seymour and Martha Pomerantz, Estaline and Mel Katz, Milton and Abby Harris, Isobel Pashnek, Manuel Palmer, Elaine Maas, Robin Wagner, Leslie Wagner, Jacob Wagner, Herman and Helen Berger, Bessie Kaufman, Gwen and Gil Davis, and other family and friends. He was predeceased by his father and mother, M.I. and Rosa Rosenberg, and by his older brother, Adrian. Interment took place on Monday, September 23, 2002, at the Adath Emeth Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The Stehlin Foundation, or the Chabad House at the Medical Center.