Paul Gilbert Rosenthal

With great sadness, we report the passing of our father, Paul G. Rosenthal, M.D., who finally succumbed to illness on the 19th of June, 2016. But with great joy and tremendous pride, we remember his life and the countless ways he enhanced the lives of others.

Dr. Paul, as he was affectionately known to his cherished patients, was born on the 6th of September 1932, to Della and Louis Rosenthal, and lived in Houston all of his life. He attended Rice University and graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, with residency at Baylor College of Medicine. He practiced pediatrics with his three brothers for over 50 years. Throughout his career, Dr. Paul cared for thousands of children, many of whom returned to his care years later with their own children. For more than ten years, he also served proudly as a Flight Surgeon-Senior Aviation Medical Examiner in the United States Air Force – Texas National Guard, during which time no pilot in his charge could fly without his certification. In addition to his work, Dr. Paul was passionate about his ranch, horses, and cattle, which he loved to enjoy with his children, grandchildren, and friends.

Like his own mentor Irving M. Axelrod, whom he admired so much, Dad was kind and gracious to every person he encountered, often engaging complete strangers in conversation with his incredible charm, wit, and genuine concern for others. He treated everyone with respect, regardless who they were or where they came from. He loved to listen to their stories and to share his own. This is the legacy that we will remember most and that we will strive forever to duplicate in his honor.

Dad, at last, rejoins his beloved wife, Wallette Rosenthal, who passed away in 2009. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who will all miss him very much: Michael Rosenthal and his wife, Cindy, and Michael’s son Brett and his wife Emilija; Sheri Libby and her husband, James, and their children, Valerie, Scotty, Jeffrey and his wife Leigh Anne and children Lyla and Henry, Rusty and his wife Lauren and child Shaun; Trent Rosenthal and his wife Kimberly and their children Zachary, Reece and Callie. He is also survived by his three brothers and their spouses: Morris and Julien Rosenthal, Ben and Marilyn Rosenthal, and Harry and Carolyn Rosenthal. Others whose lives he touched include Renee Fenberg, Barbara Rosenthal, and Carlos Wilhelm.

The funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 21st of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, where Rabbi Pamela Silk, Associate Rabbi at Congregation Emanu El, is to officiate.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, which was such an important part of Dad’s life’s work. Memorial contributions may be made electronically via their website at http://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/.