Rose, Harold M. Distinguished Professor Emeritus Dr. Harold Rose is lovingly survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Louise and one son, Gregory of Nashville, TN. He leaves a beautiful granddaughter, Latisa Dixon and 3 cherished great-grand children all of Jackson, TN along with thousands of devoted students and colleagues from UWM and across the United States. He was born January 8, 1930 and died on February 2, 2016, peacefully at his home with Ann Louise. A world leader in the field of Urban Geography and Race, Harold rarely mentioned the four books he got published, the 16 articles he wrote, and that he made presentations at 64 universities across the United States. Humble, brilliant, and a giant in the world of race he regretted that his life required him to be consumed with issues of race, but he knew that to be less involved was 'simply not possible.' (Harold Rose, 2004) After earning his PhD from Ohio State, Donn Haglund, Geography Chair hired Dr. Harold Rose to teach at UWM in 1962 where he remained until his retirement in 1995. Dr. Rose served as the President of the prestigious Assoc. of American Geographers, receiving the AAG Lifetime Achievement Honor in 1996 and he was the first Black president of the AAG and remains the only Black president some 38 years later. Dr. Rose taught in both Geography and Urban Studies at the university. In 2012, Audrey Kobayashi, then president of the AAG, announced the creation of the Harold M. Rose Award for Anti-Racist and Practice in Geography, on behalf of the AAG council, noting his pioneering work in the study of urban racial segregation and discrimination. We will all miss his genius, he kindness and gentle guidance in an often unkind world. The family wishes to thank Diane and Marvin Pratt for their support, Bakers Square in Shorewood for consistent kindness, and UWM for their help. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 2PM. Visitation Friday 12 Noon until time of services at:

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

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 7, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Rose

Sponsored by Northwest Funeral Chapel.

7 Entries

Dr Yolanda Ayubi

February 1, 2022

Dr. Rose was the Chair of my Dissertation Committee at the University of Wisconsin. He was not only an excellent mentor, but a great social justice advocate and a peace promoter. We all love him and have fun memories of his unique way to guide us with a lot of compassion. I miss you, Professor Rose.
Dr. Yolanda Ayubi, Chicago, 2/2022

Dr. Yolanda Ayubi

April 6, 2021

I will always be grateful for your great support with my academic life. It was an honor to have you as the Chair for my dissertation. You certainly inspired a lot of us!

February 27, 2016

Harold Rose was a stand up guy, a rigorous researcher, and a great teacher who loved to profess his discipline of urban geography and always found time for his students. I won't forget his cutting edge work on race, class, housing, employment, and crime. He guided my academic work at the UWM Urban Studies Program and influenced my organizing in Milwaukee neighborhoods. I miss his sly sense of humor and witty chuckle. Jeff Eagan, Bethesda, MD

February 15, 2016

Professor Rose was the most relavant teacher that I ever had the opportunity and pleasure to learn from. I earned my M.S. Degree in Urban Affairs from UWM in 1971 and the coursework that I studied in demographics has helped me carve out a meaningful and productive career throughout my life's work.

I've always held Harold Rose in the highest esteem and I was extremely fortunate to have studied under him.

Jeff H. Auslander
Lake Worth, Florida 02/15/2016

William Mayrl

February 8, 2016

Harold Rose was a brilliant and influential scholar, a wise and wonderful colleague, and a beloved friend. His well lived life touched all who met him in a positive way and he was an inspiration to those who had the honor of working with him as I did during my 35 years at UWM.

I offer my deepest condolences to Ann and his family.

February 7, 2016

Professor Rose was an inspiring teacher when I was a graduate student at UW-Milwaukee. He provided guidance and key commentary as a member of my doctoral dissertation committee on Italian immigrants and housing in Nuremberg, Germany. Craig Reisser, Omaha Nebraska.

February 7, 2016

To the Rose Family,
My condolences on the passing of Dr. Rose. I was one of the many students to whom he provided mentorship and career advice. He was instrumental to my success in academia and as a scholar of race. I can still visualize the neat, hand written, comments he wrote on my work; the laugh that was always hearty and deep, and; his generosity in traveling from Milwaukee to St. Louis for my PhD defense. We have lost a gentleman, a scholar, and a reasoned voice for racial justice.

My deepest sympathies,
Melvin L. Oliver
Santa Barbara, CA

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results