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Roger Rosenblatt Obituary
(MD, MPH, MFR)
August 8, 1945 ~ December 12, 2014
Roger was born in Denver, CO to Alfred and Judith Rosenblatt and grew up in Laconia, NH alongside his brother's Leon and Eric. Roger was a smart, passionate, enthusiastic and generous man and a life long learner. After graduation from Harvard Medical School, he moved to Seattle where he became the first family medicine resident at the University of Washington. Finishing his residency in 1974, he joined the U.S. Public Health Service to help launch the National Health Service Corps, sparking his lifelong commitment to providing care to rural and under served areas.
Roger's goal in life was to leave the world a better place, and he devoted his 43 years at U.W. to that pursuit. He was Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Family Medicine and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Services, Department of Global Health, and College of Forest Resources. He published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and publications. In 1987, Roger was one of the first family physicians to be elected as a member to the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences. Roger was the recipient of many awards including the Hames Research Award; Primary Care Achievement Award; Educator of the Year Award (WAFP); Mary Selecky Distinguished Service Award.
A lover of nature and adventure from a young age, Roger was most at home in the forest, which will always serve as a touchstone for those who knew him best, and nowhere will he be more present. His love of, and concern for the health of the family's land in Eastern Washington lead to the formation of the Okanogan Land Trust and the placement of a conservation easement on the property.
First and foremost in Roger's life was his family. He will be missed by all those he touched and most especially by his wife Fernne; sons Jon, Garth, Eli and Ben; their wives Linda, Jenny, Kelly and Olivia; and grandchildren Taylor, Ezra and Lucy.
A celebration of Roger's life will be held January 15th at 2:30pm with a walk at the Union Bay Nature Area followed by a sharing of memories at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle, 98105. Donations in Roger's honor can be made to the Rosenblatt Family Endowed Professorship in Rural Family Medicine at the University of Washington (UWMA, Box 358045, Seattle, WA 98195) or in support of the Okanogan Land Trust (OLT, PO Box 293, Tonasket, WA 98855)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Rosenblatt
Sponsored by The Family.
Jon
December 18, 2023
Hi pal, your 2nd great grandson was born, Owen Winston Ross. It´s been wonderful enjoying our grandkids, you were right. I miss you and feel you in my heart.
Peace & love always - Jon
Jon
December 11, 2022
I continue to love and miss you pal.
Jon
Jon and linda
December 12, 2021
Roger - meet your great grand daughter Madison Vale. Taylor and PJ have a precious and beautiful little girl and we are grand parents now! She has brought us incredible joy and ushered all of us into a new season. I didn't think I would fall in love so deeply again, it feels amazing. I miss you and love you!
Jon
Ann Kimball
December 11, 2020
Dear Fernne, We think of Roger frequently. I miss his ebullience, and his kindness and send fond wishes to you and yours on these holidays.
#1
January 27, 2018
I continue to miss your physical presence, our long conversations, your love for me and my family, and quiet walks in the okie among many other things to numerous to mention. My heart continues to beat, the sun rises each morning and my life is lived each day with you in my heart and mind. Taylor and PJ are now engaged, Taylor can now answer your last question to her, yes he is the one. We're leaving shortly for the engagement party and wanted to somehow share this with you.
Peace and love always my captain, Jon
January 29, 2015
Dear Fernne - Lynn and I have been in Arizona all winter and just heard about Roger's passing. We are thinking of you and will always remember Roger with the greatest respect and fondness. Take care, Judy and Lynn
Mark Oberle
January 13, 2015
I am out of town and will miss this week's celebration of Roger's life. Many in our community know Fernne and Roger for pioneering environmental achievements including the establishment of the Okanogan Land Trust. Roger also worked tirelessly for public health and the environment within UW. He volunteered his time to help medical students complete the joint MD/MPH degree many of whom benefitted from Roger's ability to guide them through ambitious and challenging thesis projects. Through his course, UCONJ 540, Environmental Change and Human Health: The Role of the Health Professional, Roger, Kees Kolff and I introduced several hundred UW students to environmental health, including topics both global and local. His passionate devotion to teaching community medicine will be cherished by faculty and students.
Ellen Robinson
January 11, 2015
As your extended family prepares for Roger's life celebration this week, I want to share my love with all of you in the Rosenblatt clan and beyond. The world is a better place to have you all among us. Roger's influences will continue to spread wide and far through his family, friends and colleagues.
January 9, 2015
I am very sorry that I will be on travel January 14 and unable to participate in the celebration of Roger's life. Roger has influenced me from a distance my entire career in family medicine since I first came to work as a social work stduent in the Dept of Family Medicine at the University of Washington in 1978. I say "afar" because I never had the opportunity to work closely with Roger but worked in parallel fashion "with" him on issues locally and nationlly which matter to all of us in faimly medicine. His smile says it all - how much he inspired so many of us with his infectious passion for doing what is right. Ardis Davis
John Asriel
January 9, 2015
I never met Dr. Rosenblatt, but he was instrumental and always accessible and supportive as I expended my practice to include treatment for opioid dependency. He also helped me negotiate the roadblocks I encountered. I know I am only one of many Family Physicians who have benefited from his expertise and dedication to compassionate patient care.
January 9, 2015
I first met Roger when he became involved with the family medicine clerkship in 1977, when I was a community clinical coordinator in Whitefish, MT, and spent time with him on WAMI retreats in Seattle, Rosario, and Whitefish, and numerous end-of quarter meetings in Seattle. He was always an inspiration to me and his enthusiasm for teaching and family medicine was contagious. His positive attitude was always appreciated. He will be missed by all who have been involved with him over the years. My condolences and prayers go out to your family as you grieve over your loss.
Nicole Kim
January 7, 2015
Dr. Rosenblatt was the best advisor I could have asked for during my RUOP experience in Alaska. He cheered me on despite challenging circumstances and inspired me to continue to pursue a career that included both clinical and community work. His heart for others, mentoring, medicine, and public health will be greatly missed. Thank you for touching the lives of so many future physicians and teaching and modeling to us what it means to be compassionate, driven, and humble.
Dave Peterson
January 7, 2015
Roger took my class in forest ecosystems. He was just as enthusiastic about the topic as the younger students and provided them with a perspective based on life experience. He had a real influence in the College of Forest Resources and made a strong connection between natural and human systems. His passion was infectious. We have lost a giant.
Elaine Oneil
December 31, 2014
Dear Fernne and Family. I was so sad to hear of Roger's passing. He was a great man. He will always remain in my heart as a source of inspiration and hope. All best wishes
Irit Berman
December 26, 2014
I am one of the Rosenblatt tribe offsprings. my grandfather was one of those who in the 20th-30th of the 19th century left Russia to Israel, Roger's grandfaher was one of those Who immigrated to the USA.Those who stayed in Russia (now Ukkrainian territory) were killed in the holocaust. The Family connections survived along the years, geographical distances, and the chain of generations.
I first met roger when he came and spent few months in israel in the 1960th. I and entire family, from all over Israel, the elderly, young, and toddlers, fell in a long lasting love with Roger, who was a charming, open minded, curious, energetic, briliant and promissing young man.
Roger's Death is a very sad loss for us, especially for me and my husband, my 90 years old uncle Izhak Rosenblat who loved him as a son, and all the members of all the family branches.
Roger's impact on everything and everyone he touched will live for ever. How sad he himself will not be there any more.
Love to all the family,
Irit and Yehuda Berman, Israel
Meg Mullin
December 25, 2014
Dear Rosenblatt family-
Dr. Rosenblatt was a mentor and inspiration for me. I went into family medicine at UW because of his influence. He has touched so many lives and his influence for goodness will far outlive him. I'm so saddened to learn of his death, but also so grateful I had the chance to know him.
Sincerely,
Meg Mullin, MD
David Williams
December 24, 2014
very sad. Cancer isn't always a death sentence like when we were children but progress seems awfully slow. Please post pictures of the grandchildren. Genes and memories live on.
Linda McKim-Bell
December 24, 2014
We are so grateful that our daughter had this wonderful man as an adviser at the U. of W. His values and his achievements will live on in her and inspire her. A great teacher's works live on like ripples in a pond and go on forever in the hearts of his students.
December 24, 2014
Dear Fernne and family,
Roger was a beckon of light for me here in eastern WA . A visionary, an optimist with an open heart and always a twinkle in his eyes. His remarkable legacy and spirit will no doubt continue on amidst the nearby quaking aspens and whispering pines. I feel blessed to have known him and will miss him.
With Love,
Ani Black
Judith Marinelli Godfrey
December 20, 2014
Shall I ever forget Roger Rosenblatt's kindness taking me to lunch when I visited my daughter, his colleague, in Seattle? He just reached out an drew me into the universe of his life. I am grateful to have met this great man.
Ngaire Kerse
December 19, 2014
Ferne and family, Roger was an inspiration, friend and his last years were a lesson to us all in resilience and hope. We will celebrate his life from the other side of the world.
Barry Kerzin
December 19, 2014
Roger was beyond it all. He was a genuine friend to many. He loved and embraced life to its fullest. He had little fear of death. The thought made him embrace life more meaningfully. Roger has deeply touched so many including myself. Thank you Roger. You are always in our hearts, not very far away. With much to you Roger, Barry
December 19, 2014
It's hard to take in the loss of someone with so much life force, so much warmth, so many enthusiasms.
Tamar Lewin, NY, NY
stan and denise esecson
December 19, 2014
Dear Eli and family,
May your dad's smiling face and loving ways live forever in your hearts.
Stacey @ UW Family Medicine
Stacey Morrison
December 19, 2014
A lovely man who was always smiling, always friendly and full of good cheer. Generous and giving towards everyone. An example to live by.
Ely Zimmerman
December 18, 2014
Courageous, sweet, determined, strong. A man among menz, a friend among friendz. You will be missed.
Anne Traver
December 18, 2014
My deepest condolences to you all. Roger was a wise, warm and kind man; I am so glad he was a part of my life, starting with the treasured Eaton Place Parents.
Ann Marie Kimball
December 18, 2014
Dear Fernne and family, Roger was a force of nature. I think of our times together with our children in back packs in New Zealand and I smile. He certainly left the world a better place, no question. We will all join you in remembering him and holding him (and you) in our hearts and prayers. Much love, Ann Marie Kimball and Keith and kids
Roger Lewin
December 18, 2014
A much poorer world without Roger
December 18, 2014
Much love to Frenne and the family. He was an amazing man. Even just this October, he encouraged me to return to school for a post-Ph.D., post-retirement MFA (when many think this is crazy).
Catherine Henze
Thane Butt
December 18, 2014
Leon and family...I am so sorry for your loss. In time, may many fond memories help ease your grief. You and Roger look so much alike; such a lovely, warm smile.
Menachem Emanuel
December 18, 2014
Farewell my friend
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