The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter - Special Edition # 179-A - Steve Rosengarten - In Memoriam

From Jane Rosengarten Rosenof (1966) and Phyllis Rosengarten Gordon (1973)

Our brother, Steve Rosengarten, affectionately known as “Git,” passed away on August 31, surrounded by his loving family.  He was 72.  We are heartbroken.

Nadine Flexer, Steve’s wife, would love to receive emails with any stories people may have about him.  She wants to be able to tell their grandchildren about Steve.  Her email is: nadineflexer@gmail.com.  We would also appreciate your sending copies to us at jrosenof@comcast.net and phgordon04@gmail.com

Everyone who knew Steve at Wheatley probably remembers what a talented athlete he was.  He excelled at tennis and after Wheatley went on to attend Temple University on a tennis scholarship.  He majored in communications. After college, he worked as a tennis pro and met Nadine when she started taking lessons. They settled in the Philadelphia area and Steve eventually joined the family business.  He rose to VP of sales and was instrumental in growing the company into an apparel giant.  At some point, Steve switched from tennis to golf and excelled at that as well. 

Steve and Nadine had a wonderful marriage.  They raised two sons, Todd and David, and enjoyed a large, extended family.  Steve was always fun-loving and at the same time hard-working.  He was extremely social and could engage with anyone. He made everyone he interacted with feel as if they were the most important person in the world. He would drop everything to help a friend.  Steve remained friends with many Wheatley-ites.  David Kushner spoke movingly at Steve’s funeral about how special their lifelong friendship was. 

Steve and Nadine (in the middle) with Todd, David, and their wives

Steve loved his family deeply and was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son, and friend, as well as colleague.

Sadly, he was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s around twelve years ago. Nadine, along with two “angels,” his home health aides, who became family, lovingly cared for him and always maintained his dignity.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Nadine Flexer; by his children, Todd (Erin Harrison) Rosengarten and David (Sarah Sallee) Rosengarten; by his four grandchildren, Coco, Minou, Noah, and Blair; and by his sisters, Jane (Howard) Rosenof and Phyllis (Bob) Gordon.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Steve Rosengarten Alzheimer’s Fund at the Penn Memory Center, Penn Medicine Development, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104 or click

https://giving.aws.cloud.upenn.edu/fund?program=MED&fund=604805

Steve and Phyllis

Jane and Steve

Fan Mail

1966 (Jane Rosengarten Rosenof) - “I appreciate your honoring Steve in this way.”