Leon Rosenberg

Dr. Leon T Rosenberg Emeritus professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University, died July 18 at 82. A research professor of insight and sagacity, he made significant contributions to the growing field of immunology throughout his three decades at Stanford. He was also an excellent teacher, working with undergraduates, medical students and doctoral students throughout his career. He kept in touch with many of his former students, several of whom went on to notable scientific careers of their own. Actively involved in the social and political issues of the time, Dr. Rosenberg took particular pride in his role in the successful efforts to increase gender and ethnic diversity in the medical school, one of the first medical schools to establish an affirmative action program. Dr. Rosenberg was a man of broad interests, enjoying art and music from throughout the world and was a capable tennis player, famed in earlier days for his "thunderbolt" serve. Born in the Bronx, New York, Dr. Rosenberg grew up in The United Workers Cooperative Colony, the "Coops," a housing project built and managed by left-wing working people. The political and social environment of the Coops was the foundation for Dr. Rosenberg's cultural, political and intellectual values, and was the source of friendships that lasted his entire life. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Roberta, as well as his son Galen, his daughter Carla, granddaughters Carson and Darby, with another granddaughter due in December, as well as many friends and colleagues. His first child, Bevan, died in 1963. A memorial open to all will be held on Sunday August 29 at 1:00 at the Lucie Stern Center in Palo Alto. Donations in his memory may be made to the organization of the giver's choice.