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Paul Rosenberg Obituary
May 14, 1945 – June 18, 2017
Paul, a proud native San Franciscan, was predeceased by his SF native parents, Irving and Ruth (Boehm) Rosenberg. He passed away, after a short battle with liver disease and a long battle with lung cancer. His death seemed to be painless.He went to Lafayette ES, Presidio Junior HS, Lowell HS, and the University of CA at Berkeley.
Paul loved San Francisco and was involved in many aspects of city life. For 33 years he worked for the City and County of SF at the Dept. of Human Services. He made sure clients never missed their checks and that the computer system was up to date with the many federal and state regulatory changes. He was honored to helm the state's pilot program for food stamp recipients to receive benefits electronically. Prior to working in SF, he worked for 8 years in the Alameda County Health Dept.
Paul was an avid SF historian, with specialties in the offices of Mayor and Board of Supervisors. Not only could he name every single member of the Board since 1850 along with the years that they served, he could tell stories about many of them. He was a longtime volunteer for Democratic causes and candidates. He volunteered for Phillip Burton and colored in his precinct maps after elections, he ran the Richmond Dist. campaign office for George Moscone for Mayor, and he volunteered on Nancy Pelosi's first campaign for Congress. He was also an expert on SF public transit.
Paul spent many years as Sec.-Treas. of the Planning Assoc. of the Richmond. He was an early member of the Irish-Israeli-Italian Society. He was a co-founder of the Market Street Railway, where he served as president. He was a founding member of the SF History Assoc. When he retired, he followed in his father's footsteps and joined Sixty Plus at SFSU where he served as treasurer and SIR (Sons in Retirement) where he was active on the board since he joined, including serving as the Big Sir. He was a member of Western Neighborhoods Project, Native Sons of the Golden West, the Westerners, the SF Civil War Roundtable, Retired Employees of the City and County of SF, and other groups.
We have lost a brilliant man, a real "mensch," who had many friends from all over The City and beyond. The fact that he and his high school friends got together regularly, brought Paul tremendous pleasure.
Paul Rosenberg is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sherrie (Katz) Rosenberg, and their son Coleman, who is 27 years old, and countless friends and family. Paul was many things: husband, father, historian, music lover (who rarely missed the weekly organ concerts at the Legion of Honor), humorist, volunteer, master story teller, and so much more, but to describe him in just two qualities, he was a true friend and a true San Franciscan.
Funeral will be at Beth Israel Judea, on Sunday, June 25th at 12 followed by food and conversation. 625 Brotherhood Way, SF. The family will receive visitors & have a brief service on Monday & Tuesday from 6 to 9 pm, also at the temple.
Donations in his memory may go to the charity of your choice or the Lowell High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 320009, SF, CA 94132.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Rosenberg
John Ling, MD
June 18, 2024
I knew Paul at Lowell High School so many years ago and was particularly impressed with the depth and scope of his knowledge of the San Francisco Municipal Railway. Many years later I renewed our friendship and was likewise overwhelmed with his enthusiasm for San Francisco city history and lore. I also met his son Coleman, who was the pride and joy of his parents and who were so pleased with his achievements in the maritime field. I miss him greatly and regret that I lost his friendship too soon. My best wishes go to his family.
John Ling, MD
December 7, 2017
I found out about Paul's sad passing belatedly, as I live some distance away, in Davis, CA. My friendship with him began in 1959, when I was at Lowell High School a half-year ahead of him. Our relationship was interrupted by my long residence in Southern California but resumed when I moved back to Northern California. I fondly remember his profound knowledge of all things associated with the SF Muncipal Railway while in high school; my high regard for him was later augmented by discovering his magisterial command of San Francisco history when our friendship was re-established. I shall cherish my long acquaintance with Paul and remember him very fondly as a very nice person.
John Ling, MD
July 10, 2017
I was saddened to hear the bad news. My deepest condolences to his family and to his many devoted friends.Paul was a good friend of many years.I was continually cheered by his warm spirit, his sweet generosity, and his gifted mini-lectures on SF history. I met him through my brother-in-law Roger Hurlbert. Over the years we discovered that we had many friends in common including the philosophical logician Art Bierman of SF State and the mathematical logician John Addison of UC Berkeley, one of my teachers and one of Paul's teacher.
John Corcoran
Jill Schoenfeld White
July 9, 2017
Paul was a semester ahead of me at Presidio Jr High and at Lowell, but I never knew him personally. I started doing my Family Tree and genealogy about the time that the Lowell Alumni Directory came out and shortly after learned by accident that he was a cousin on my Dad, Irv Schoenfeld's Mother's Musin side, and that his 1st cousin, Len Rosenberg, who was a year behind me at Presidio and Lowell and at Temple Emanuel, was also my cousin. I am so proud to have known someone who I share genes with, who had such a brilliant mind and put so much energy into preserving the history of San Francisco and into the Democratic Party and their tireless efforts for the people of SF, California, and the USA to achieve some justice in this cruel world. I extend my deepest sympathy to Sherrie and Coleman during their time of grieving, and my most sincere prayers for them to find the Peace of God amid such a great loss.
Jill Schoenfeld White
Mike Phipps
June 27, 2017
Sincerest condolences to Paul's family. I frequently met Paul at various historical events like the SF History Expo and he was always very warm and friendly. A gracious gentleman and fellow Lowellite! Rest in peace Paul.
Tami Bryant
June 26, 2017
Because my daughter was on the wrestling team at George Washington High School with Coleman, I was lucky enough to meet the Rosenberg family. And soon it became apparent we had more in common than even GWHS and wrestling. Somehow through a conversation with my long-time neighbor Zoraina James, I came to learn that she was an important part of your love story! And Paul knew so many of the people I know, it was always great running into him.
He will be missed. A true mensch. I know your wonderful memories will bring some comfort, please know my heart is with you both.
June 25, 2017
Sherrie & Coleman,
It was such a beautiful service for Paul at the Temple today. The huge attendance and the many and varied shared memories of Paul was quite a testament and tribute to his remarkable life that touched postively so many other lives.
Dewey & BQ
Bev and Jay Ripps
June 25, 2017
Dear Sherrie,
We are so sorry for your loss. Though we never met Paul, it sounds like he was an incredible man. Our thoughts are with you.
Deanna Murphy
June 25, 2017
I enjoyed working with Paul. Although I worked in San Mateo County, it was a delight to work with him at state meetings. He was very knowledgeable and was ready to help other counties in any way he could. My condolences to the family.
Nancy and John Pennekamp Cumming
June 25, 2017
Sherrie and Coleman,
We hold you in prayer as you mourn for Paul. May God's peace be with you!
Your neighbors,
Nancy and John
George Fenech
June 25, 2017
My heartfelt sympathy to Sherrie and her son. Always enjoyed having lunch with Paul every month at the Elks in South San Francisco. Paul did so much for the Sirs Branch #4. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace.
Frank Dunnigan
June 25, 2017
Always enjoyed our San Francisco history discussions over the last 10 years. You shared your knowledge generously with others and were the most reliable fact-checker in the group. Thoughts and prayers for all.
Judy Schutzman
June 25, 2017
We started as colleagues and ended as friends. I will always feel your loss. My condolences to Sherrie and Coleman and all who loved you.
Chipper Harris
June 24, 2017
Such a wonderful life long San Franciscan and Lowellite....so very articulate and bright.
Sheila Bruce
June 24, 2017
I will miss you, my long time friend.
Mark S. Weinberger
June 24, 2017
Rest in peace, dear Paul. You were a blessing in life for your family and friends, who are all the better for having had you in their lives.
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