Ira Mark Rosenstein

Ira Mark Rosenstein, 83, a private investor and Newport Beach, CA resident, died peacefully on November 29th following a lengthy illness. His wife, Gail Rosenstein, was at his side along with his children, Kari Williamson and Teri Larrieu.

Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1940, Mr. Rosenstein moved with his parents and brother, Mort, to Long Beach, CA where he later graduated from Wilson High School, and in 1965, earned a BA degree in Business and Finance from California State University Long Beach.

Ira exceeded in numerous school athletic sports activities throughout his public-school years in Long Beach and was an avid skier throughout his life.

He began his professional career at Hitco Corporation as a financial cost analyst, working his way up to controller. He then worked at Early California Foods as controller and eventually Vice President of Finance and Administration. He later joined Soda Shoppes of California, Inc., a subsidiary of Commercial International Corp., as Executive Vice President and then President.

He continued in the soft drink industry by joining the Dr Pepper Company. In 1980 he served as chief financial officer of the company-owned Dr Pepper Bottling Co. of Anaheim. In 1984 he was made VP-Finance, CFO and director of the Dallas-based soft drink firm. That year, and four years after, he was responsible for selecting the Dr Pepper Company’s award-winning floats in the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA, a project he said, “was one of the great delights of my life, assisted by Gail’s keen eye for design.”

In 1986, Ira co-led the leveraged buyouts of Dr Pepper Company and the Seven-Up Company of St. Louis MO and in 1987 became Senior VP, CFO and director of both companies and eventually Executive VP. In 1992 he accomplished his most significant corporate achievement by crafting the IPO of the company on the New York Stock Exchange. He subsequently negotiated the sale of the company to Cadbury Schweppes, PLC in 1995. From 1996-1999 Mr. Rosenstein was a director of BT Capital Partners, Bankers Trust Company.

He and Gail loved traveling the world together and moved back to California permanently upon retirement to be closer to their family. They savored their time in Newport Beach and Palm Desert playing golf, going to the theatre, and spending time with their family and friends. He was so blessed to be able to raise two daughters with Gail, as well as have a huge impact and presence in his four grandchildren and five great grandchildren’s lives.

Ira is survived by his wife Gail, daughters Kari and Teri, his grandchildren Taylor, RJ, Amanda and Trevor, five great grandchildren and his son in laws Ron Larrieu and Vincent Cook.