Dr. Joseph Leon Rosenzweig

JOSEPH LEON ROSENZWEIG, MD

1920-2003

Dr. Joseph Leon Rosenzweig, 82, of Hot Springs died at his home on September 14, 2003.

He was born October 21, 1920 in Lake Village Arkansas to Morris Eli Rosenzweig and Clara Meyer Rosenzweig. He graduated from Lakeside High School in Lake Village and received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He was an instructor in pediatrics at the Tulane Medical School in 1947-1949. Dr. Rosenzweig was one of the first dozen board certified pediatricians in Arkansas. He was in private practice of pediatrics in Hot Springs from 1949 to 1976. He was known to several generations of children as “Dr. Joe.” He retired from private practice due to health problems, and served as supervisor of medical services at the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center from 1977 to 1984.

Dr. Rosenzweig was a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Arkansas Pediatric Society, Arkansas Medical Society and served as president of the Garland County Medical Society. He served as chief of staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Ouachita Memorial Hospital, and Levi Hospital. Dr. Rosenzweig was a pediatric consultant for the Crippled Children’s Division of the state Health Department for 30 years. He was a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas medical school. He was a volunteer working with the city and county programs for the underprivileged and the mentally retarded, and was an original board member of the Arkansas Children’s Colony (later MRDDS), and served as vice chairman of the board of the Children’s Colony for most of his 18 years on the board. Dr. Rosenzweig authored or co-authored six published articles in medical literature. He also served in the United States Navy in World War II and during the Korean Conflict.

Dr. Rosenzweig was a member of the Congregation of the House of Israel and served as an officer and board member for many years. He was a regional board member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and served on the boards of the Museum of Southern Jewish Experience and the Henry S. Jacobs Camp, both in Utica, Mississippi. With his wife, Dr. Rosenzweig founded the Rosenzweig Fund for Interfaith Activities, which promotes positive relationships among religions. He was a board member and vice president of the Hot Springs YMCA, a member of the advisory board of the Arkansas Conference of Churches and Synagogues, now the Arkansas Interfaith Conferences, and The NCCJ. He was an organizer for the Hot Springs Shepherd’s Center, where he served as president, secretary and treasurer. He served as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee of the United States Civil Rights Commission, the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, 2001 Foundation, Fifty for the Future, and the Hot Springs Rotary Club. He was a board member of the United Way, Levi Hospital, Levi Towers, Levi Towers II, Habitat for Humanity of Hot Springs and was an honorary life member of the Lakeside School PTA.

Dr. Rosenzweig was named Rotarian of the Year in Hot Springs in 1996. He was named the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year for 2001. In 1997 he was presented the Tulane School of Medicine CD Taylor Award for an alumnus’ outstanding service to medicine in 1997. He was named a Hot Springs Rotary Club honorary member in September 2002.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Jack, of Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Dr. Rosenzweig is survived by his wife, Suzanne, of Hot Springs, and three children: Jeff Rosenzweig of Little Rock, Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig of Little Rock, and Ann Rosenzweig of Dallas, Texas, and six grandchildren, Payton, Asher, Hampton, Evan, Ethan and Madalyn Rosenzweig.

Funeral services are Tuesday, September 16 at 3 p.m. at Congregation House of Israel, 300 Quapaw Ave., Hot Springs with Rabbi Larry Jackofsky and Rabbi Vicki Hollander presiding. Burial will be at Jewish Rest Cemetery in Hot Springs.

Donations may be made to a charity of choice or to the Congregation House of Israel or to the Rosenzweig Fund for Interfaith Activities at the Congregation House of Israel in Hot Springs, 300 Quapaw Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901.

Funeral arrangements are by Gross Funeral Home of Hot Springs.

Pallbearers are Mark Fleischner, Dr. Stuart Fleischner, Louis Kleinman, J. C. Rowe, Jerry Tanenbaum and Dr. John Trieschmann. Honorary pallbearer is Stuart Fuszard. The family will be at 166 Peninsula Pt, Hot Springs, AR