Joel Rothschild

Joel Alonzo Rothschild, of New York City, died peacefully surrounded by his family on October 17, 2022. He was 96.

He was born on October 22, 1925, in New York City, to Alice Edgerton and John Rothschild. He graduated from Harvard and then Columbia University where he obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry. He served on the faculty of Columbia University working both in his lab and teaching in the lecture hall. Over the years his research took on many forms, finding an ultimate commitment to public health.

Joel had a full life. After serving in the Army during WWII, he later returned to Europe and conducted research in Copenhagen, Denmark with his first wife, Dorothy Pixley (deceased). After returning to the states, he and Dottie settled down in the Washington Heights apartment at the Grinnell on Riverside Drive where his second wife, Bonnie Kaufman, still resides. As a true community leader, Joel served as the 7A Administrator leading the Grinnell through the process from landlord abandonment to becoming a thriving occupant-owned Co-Op. He served on the board of the Grinnell for over 40 years. Joel was also dedicated to community politics and was a founding member of the Audubon Reform Democratic Club in 1966 and served on the Executive Committee until his death.

As the patriarch of a large extended family, he had the most phenomenal recall of the last century, both family events and world history. A storyteller extraordinaire, Joel was well known for captivating his audience with tales drawn from his life experiences. The wisdom he imparted was often priceless to those who knew him well.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Edgerton Rothschild, father, John Rothschild, first wife, Dorothy Pixley, and daughter Lucinda (James O'Malley). He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Bonnie Kaufman; four children, Michael, Judy, Rachel (Jeffrey Guttman), and Rebecca (Gavin Skal); five grandchildren, Tess, Megan, Max, Emma, and Nicholas; and Tiger Lilly, his beloved cat.