Henry Rosenbaum

October 7th, 2025

At 91, Mr. Rosenbaum lived and loved. His passing is a reminder that his family, friends, and students must do the same. I don’t regret teachers like him or my time at Von. He was military tough, but had a heart of gold.

~IE
~Student at Von, Washington, DC

September 27th, 2025

He was my biology teacher and I was his aide (taking care of his classroom animals for a couple of years during my study hall). I was grateful to be able to be able to do that for him. Although I was always squeamish about the dissections, he made it easy for me to get through them. He also increased my interest in science and the scientific process, which carried through my years of high school interests, including volunteering at science fairs.

I also attended high holiday services at Ezra-Habonim NTJC, for a few years, for which I always happy to see him and say hello to him in person.

He was a terrific person and educator. It was a blessing to know him and I will miss him.

~Philip Kritzman
~Student and Aide (Chicago Public Schools), Chicago, IL

September 26th, 2025

​I was part of the very first AP Biology class Mr. Rosenbaum taught at Skokie Yeshiva, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned from him.
​The fact that this guest book is full of his former students from around the country—some dating back over 40 years—tells you everything you need to know about his profound impact as an educator.
​Even today, I’m still climbing the tree of knowledge he helped boost me up, as I pursue a postgraduate degree in biomedical engineering.

~Oren Harroche
~Former Student, FYHS Class of 1996, Denver, CO

September 26th, 2025

Barabara and all of Henry’s family,

My sincere condolences on your loss with the passing of Henry. Barbara, when you gave me a call about his passing, you noticed that I was shocked as you were with the sudden loss.

I knew you and Henry many years in our synagogue. Henry was kind and pleasant to anyone he was talking to. Henry seemed to always know what he wanted. He did not hesitate to share that with people. One distinct characteristic he had in our synagogue was if he saw that something was not working right, he made sure he told our leadership.

Barbara, I hope you and the family will remember all happy events you had together. I state my condolences again, and I hope you have love and support to help you with this loss.

~Richard Newman
~Friend, Wilmette, IL

September 25th, 2025

We will always remember him as a very nice and sweet person, always good-humored, a proud, father and grandfather that every year reported the “state of the family” and the trips around the world characteristic of the infinite curiosity of a science teacher.

~Roberto Regensteiner
~Cousin, Sao Paulo,Brazil

September 25th, 2025

I had Mr. Rosenbaum for high school biology freshman year at Von Steuben. He encouraged me to join the science fair and was my advisor for 3 years on my project “The Meandering of Water.”

I think he had more passion for it than I did.

I can still remember how he told me he was disappointed I didn’t pursue a career in science, it just wasn’t where my passion was.

He was a great teacher and I learned a lot from him.

May his memories be for a blessing, my condolences to his family.

~Ben Kogan
~Former Student, Chicago, IL

September 25th, 2025

I had the pleasure of Mr. Rosenbaum teaching me Freshman Biology and AP Biology at Fasman Yeshiva High School. He was one of our favorite teachers. He always knew the right wisecrack back at a student at the right time. We had so much fun learning in his class whether it was pig dissections or learning about fermentation by making wine in his class (along with the face of him watching us try the “wine” we made in his class). Even after graduation, when coming back to visit, he always had a smile on his face for any of his former students. He will be sorely missed. May you be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

~Avi Zisook
~Student, Chicago, IL

September 25th, 2025

I remember going to his and Aunt Dolores’s house every Passover. I’ll never forget their orange shag carpet and metallic mod wallpaper. But more importantly I’ll never forget learning about the importance of tradition and family at the seder table.

~Rebecca Reizner
~Great niece, San Francisco

September 25th, 2025

I remember Mr. Rosenbaum. I learned so much from his class that helped me in college. He was so passionate about teaching and his students. RIP Mr. Rosenbaum. Praying for your family and all of your students who loved you.

~Felanice (Duncan) Lynch
~Former student ,Von Steuben, class of 1991

~Felanice (Duncan) Lynch
~Student, Seattle, WA

September 24th, 2025

One of my all-time favorite teachers at Von was Mr. Rosenbaum. I’ll never forget his chemistry class. One of our very first experiments was making our own Alka-Seltzer. A buddy of mine dared me to drink mine. I said, “Give me 50 cents—the price of lunch at Von—and I’ll do it.” He slapped two quarters in my hand, and down the hatch went my homemade Alka-Seltzer.

Fortunately for me, Mr. Rosenbaum saw the whole thing. He came down on me like a ton of bricks. At first, I couldn’t understand why he was so upset—it was just a fizzy drink, right? Then he marched me to the storage room where all the chemicals were kept. He pointed to the containers of white powders we had used for the experiment. Then he pointed to other containers, also full of white powders—except these were lethal poisons. He explained that in a perfect world, what I did would have been nothing more than a silly stunt. But Von’s storage room was far from perfect. Mischievous students had been known to switch labels on the jars just to watch chaos unfold in the lab.

That’s when it hit me: the odds were very real that I could have swallowed something deadly. Mr. Rosenbaum’s concern was immediate and genuine—he hovered nearby the rest of class, monitoring me like a hawk and ready to call the paramedics if things went south.

I thought it was funny at the time. Now, I realize it was a moment that showed just how much he cared about his students. He was tough, he was sharp, and he was deeply human. I respected him then, and I respect him even more now.

Mr. Rosenbaum, you were a good egg and a great man. I’m sorry for giving you gray hairs that day, and I’m grateful God gave you such a long life. You will be missed. Rest in peace.

~Paul Maher
~Student class of 1984 Von Steuben High School, Miami, FL

September 24th, 2025

I remember Mr Rosenbaum as very passionate about his teachings and he was one of the best teachers I have known. Rest well Sir!!

~Jenine fleming
~Former student Von Steudent class of 1987, Chicago il

September 23rd, 2025

He was a great mentor who was extremely passionate about science. I really appreciated all the energy, effort and leadership he provided. He will be missed.

~David Kaplan
~Worked with Mr. Rosenbaum on the City of Chicago Regional Science Fair, Chicago, Il

September 22nd, 2025

Was married in their garden in Skokie and he made sure that there was music and touched my heart
❤️

~Edy Reizner
~Sister in law, Lincolnshire, Illinois