Richard Paul Rosenberg

1944 - 2024

Richard Paul Rosenberg, 79, of Reston, VA passed away with gratitude for his life on October 10, 2024. He was born on November 29,1944 in Detroit, the first of four sons of Kathryn Regina Widmer and Arthur Bernard Rosenberg.

Rich was a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) from 1962 until 1977, received his BA from Loyola University of Chicago and taught at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, from 1968-1970. He taught English, Math, and Latin and moderated the Glee Club. He graduated Harvard Law School in 1977, and practiced law in Chicago three years before moving to the DC area to manage the office of Mr. Daniel Parker in late 1979. He worked with Parker's national and international projects, especially Omniflight Helicopters Inc. in Janesville, Wisconsin, where he served on the board.

In 1983 he joined the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he led USAID's efforts aimed at strengthening the private sector in both Costa Rica and Bolivia. In Costa Rica, his work led to a massive increase in nontraditional exports and new investment in the country. His support for CINDE, Costa Rica's investment promotion agency, was successful to the point that it is now considered the world's most successful investment promotion and whose model is copied around the world.

In Bolivia, Rich led and supported groundbreaking programs with Bolivia's premier microfinance institution, Banco Sol, that became the model for innovative and successful micro finance operations both regionally and internationally.

From 1995 until retirement in 2006, Rich was the Senior Advisor for the Consultive Group for Assisting the Poor (CGAP) in the World Bank. CGAP helped poor people throughout the world get financing for entrepreneurial opportunities. Mr. Rosenberg was one of the principal architects for CGAP's growth and development and helped 30 or so aligned development agencies throughout the world. He was also one of the founders and the Senior Faculty Member of the Boulder Institute of Microfinance.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years Linda Joslin Rosenberg and a daughter, Monica Rosenberg, both of Reston; a son, Arthur Rowan, who lives in Kissimmee, Florida with wife Kelly Morris Rowan and three-year-old twins Atticus and Lincoln; his brother Arthur David Rosenberg and his wife Betsy Jarratt; his brother Phillip Rosenberg; and his loving dog Waldo.

Rich was a member of the Nova Catholic Community in Arlington, VA and active in the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. He served on the founding leadership team of the DC Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP), a nondenominational spiritual-accompaniment program to help men and women overcome addiction and homelessness.

Rich had a wicked sense of humor. His house was the one with the alligator on the roof at Christmas. He was a fine pianist and gave several concerts for friends in Costa Rica and Reston. He and his wife, Linda, directed Christmas Choirs in San Jose and La Paz that provided music for Protestant and Catholic services as well as parties in the American and British Embassies.

Rich leaves behind friends in many parts of the world whose lives he has touched. In the words of one, "Rich combined a stunning intellect with a warmth and humanity that made people love him".

A memorial Mass and celebration will be held on November 15 at 10: a.m. at the Unity of Fairfax in Oakton, 2854 Hunter Mill Road.