In Memoriam: Dr. Richard Rosen

Utica Community
Utica Stories
In Memoriam: Dr. Richard Rosen

He is remembered fondly as a teacher, scholar, colleague, and friend.

The Utica University community mourns the loss of Professor Emeritus of History Dr. Richard Rosen, who passed away on December 29, 2023 at the age of 89 in San Francisco, California.

Professor Rosen joined the Utica faculty in 1967 and made a long and distinguished contribution to the academic community at Utica and beyond. He is remembered fondly as a teacher, scholar, colleague, and friend.

Born on June 26, 1934 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to Chicago at the age of six, spending his formative years in the Windy City. Graduating from Von Steuben High School, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University in Chicago, a Master’s Degree at Georgetown University, and a PhD in History from the University of California, Berkeley.

He began his teaching career at then-Utica College in 1967, where he would remain until his retirement as a full professor three decades later, teaching classes in Asian history and pursuing a research specialty in cultural movements of pre-war China. He was published throughout his career, and served as the New York State Conference Chair for Asian Studies in 1975. In 1979, he filled a temporary position as the institution’s Director of Development.

In 1987, he took a year-long sabbatical from Utica in order to chair a group study through the Utica Rotary. He later served as President of the Rotary Club of San Francisco from 2003-2004 and Assistant Governor of Rotary District 5150 (San Francisco and San Mateo counties) from 2005-2006.

In the late 1980s, he was instrumental in the development of the China/U.S. academic exchange program at Utica and following his retirement he donated nearly 300 books on his specialty to the University.

Professor Rosen was active in politics throughout his life, working during his time at Georgetown University with U.S. Representative Charles A. Boyle. He served on Senator Hubert Humphrey’s 1964 vice presidential campaign and chaired local campaign efforts for Senator Eugene McCarthy’s 1968 presidential bid. He also worked on the U.S. Senate campaign of New York’s Paul O’Dwyer and was chairman of Dominick Assaro’s successful mayoral campaign in the city of Utica.

Professor Rosen is survived by his loving wife Qing, daughters Debra and Emily, son Elliott, sister Linda and two granddaughters.