
Mickey, who was a social worker

Imagine The Three Stooges' Larry Fine,
the curly haired one, as a loveable
gentleman with enthusiastic eyes.
Even when I was a kid and babbling,
he'd look at me like the shiniest dime.

I can see the mensch now, unshakeable
in the fertile bedrock of family line—
and his seven kids, equally stable,
so that when I talked, they paid attention;
and when I grew I recognized the signs

of traditional Jewish compassion,
the transplant's sensed duty to share the bread.
Pre-nuclear family American
head of a larger household wherein heads
put together the meals on the table—

food for the city, haven for the child.
Whatever I said, Uncle Mickey smiled.

Mickey was one of the 'wise men' of Community Action even when we were much younger than wisdom usually shows up.  In my work with all the nation's anti-poverty warriors, his creative, problem-solving, practical approach to pursuing justice and opportunity for all stood out. Mickey was a counselor, inspiration and just plain fun colleague to me and so many others across this nation. He made a big difference; people and institutions changed - though never as much as he dreamed of, of course. Yet I cannot remember a moment when I saw his energy and devotion falter.
His life was a blessing, as will be his memory. But it is hard to think of working on without him..

A wonderful man in his entire life: a truly good friend, brother, father, uncle, and grandfather; a hero to the needy; an outstanding and respected servant leader in the greater St. Louis community. His departure leaves a deep hole in innumerable hearts, and in ours, that will only be filled by his shining memory.
We send our love to you, Adrienne, and to your whole family.

Leo I was so upset about the death of your father.  I never knew him but I certainly had the privlege to know you.  Now I know and understand the wonderful person you were when you became so close with my boys Brad and Jeff.  What would I have ever done without you.  I love you Leo and I will never forget the time the love and how you truly helped my family be who they are today.  It sounds like your dad was the same.  My thoughts are with you.  Ellen Cohen Goldstein

Adrienne,

I'm so sorry to hear of Mickey's passing. He was a wonderful and kind man. He will be missed. May your memories be a blessing.

I worked with Mickey over many years fighting many causes.  He was truly an inspiration to me...and everyone who knew him.  The world is certainly a kinder place due to Mickey.  Please accept my deepest sympathy.
With caring thoughts,
Marilyn Ratkin

My. Sweet. Uncle. Mickey. Rosen  was. Buried  today..Loved. By. So. Many.. He will. Truely be missed.. I. Will. Miss. His. Warm. Smile.. His. Heartfelt. Way.. The. Love. He. Shared. With. His. Family. And. Friends. And. His. Community... Uncle. Mickey. I. Love. You and. Alway's. Will. Keep  your. Loving. Ways. In my. Heart.. You. Taught me alot.  Auntie. Was so lucky  to. Have. You. As. Her. Loyal. Husband.. Michele,  Valarie,  and. Alex And. Marissa,Leo. Julie and. Rachael were.  Lucky. To. Have. You. As. There. Daddy.. And. All. Of. Your. Grandchildren.. You. Were. There. For. Me. When I. Needed. You..My. Sweet. Uncle Your. Memories. will. Live. On. Forever...I. Love. You. Uncle. Mickey.   Janet.

To Mrs. Rosen and family I am deeply sorry to hear of your loss, it was a total shock. It really hurt me to hear such wonderful person gone so soon. I will never forget Mickey.  I met him back in 2001 when I started working in the School of SW at UMSL, he made me feel very welcome and was such a pleasure to be around. My prayers go out to you and your family and I pray you all will find comfort in the great memories you shared.  God bless you all.

I was privileged to know Mickey when we  worked at HDC in the 70's and to reconnect when we served on the Camp Sabra Bd together. Mickey's warmth, energy,enthusiasm & positive outlook will always be remembered. A true inspiration to all who knew him.

dearest Adrienne...I wish I could be there to share in all of this with you and the rest of my cousins. Know I am thinking of you all with love, and that I am sure you are receiving great love from all who have ever known Mickey...he is in my thoughts and prayers...my parents will be welcoming him I am sure...much love, gloria

Mickey was and will always be an inspiration to us.  His combination of watching out for the poor and enjoying life to the fullest was amazing. What a friend!!!!
Our sympathy to his entire family.

Carole and David Lander

I knew Mickey from my days at Camp Hawthorne when I was very young.  He was loved by all throughout his lifetime.  I was very fortunate to have him as my brother-in-law. He was always ready to help me when I needed him.  I will always remember and love him.

Merle Gordon

Dear Adrienne,we are so very sorry for your loss,Mickey was the greatest,Please remember that you and he and your entire family will be in our daily prayers.     Carl & Mary Specking and Family

A wonderful man in his entire life: a truly good friend, brother, father, uncle, and grandfather; a hero to the needy; an outstanding and respected servant leader in the greater St. Louis community.  His departure leaves a deep hole in innumerable hearts, and in Judy's and mine, that will only be filled by his shining memory.

Dear Adrienne, Marissa and family, 

We were shocked and saddened to hear about Mickey.   We hope all good memories bring you comfort and peace.   You are in our prayers during this difficult time.

Jan and Neil Kurlander

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I will keep you all in our Prayers. 
Karen(Olson)Duff and family

My special friendship with Mickey goes back to our Camp Hawthorn days and has remained steadfast ever since. We loved being with him on our visits to St. Louis, sharing memories, laughing, singing camp songs and just talking. He was a valued social work colleague, a best friend and a true mensch. We shall miss him very much.

Our condolences to Adrienne and the entire family.

Hans and Marge Mayer

Mickey will always be an inspiration to us.  It was a joy to be in his company and he was a role model to be a mentsch and to do tikkun olam.  We will miss him very much.

Marvin and Muriel Beckerman

Mickey was my client for many years getting haircuts. I always looked forward to his appointments. His joy and enthusiasm always made my day. My sympathy to his family for their loss. He will be truly missed

Dear Leo, Julie, Sam, Allie and family,
We are so very sorry for your loss.  Enjoy the fun and sweet memories you made together. Hoping you find comfort in the family and friends around you.   With love,  Lynn and Dave Roeth

 On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County we are sadden and will truly miss our dear beloved board member

Adrienne, please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of Martin!! I feel your pain. Please tell your family, I am thinking of them.

Adrienne,you might remember me from the Missouri Community Action group. The last time I had an e-mail from Mickey was last Friday.  He was a best friend.

Words always fail when a friend passes, if there is a heaven, Mickey will be there.  He was a good friend and great company.

Irv and Pat Bremler

Sorry to hear of this great loss.  Thanks for the evening we had together with Fran and Harold when I had come to St. Louis last Sept. 
May your memories comfort you.
Fondly,
Gene and Sondra Rotenberg and all the Family in Israel

We are so shocked and sorry to learn of the loss of our favorite uncle..It seems that there has never been a time in my early life where Uncle Mickey wasn't there. My earliest memory is of Uncle Mickey taking me to Jefferson Memorial while he was still in the army. I just can't imagine a Rosen gathering without Uncle Mickey there. He was my dad's best friend, and everyone's friend that ever got to know him. He is sorely missed. Love you Uncle Mickey.
Aunt Adrienne, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

We will miss Mickey's friendship,his engaging personality & his warm smile.

Love,

Lois & Jerry Gallop

Grandpa, you were one of the most kind and wisest people that I ever knew. I only hope that I can be like you were when I grow up. Thanks for everything.

We will always remember Mickey's fun demeanor and will miss him.

Dear Adreinne, My deepest sympathy. A wonderful human being. Mickey will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
        Barry Hyatt

So sorry for your loss. My mom, Sandy Mayer, z"l, was so fond of Mickey from their days at Camp Hawthorn with Hans and the gang. My dad, Rudy, and I send our deepest condolences. May his memory be for a blessing.

Mickey Rosen was a mensch.  My father, and our entire family, considered Mickey Rosen one of the best men to walk this earth.  His great love of humankind was exceeded only by his great love for his family.  We were all lucky to have him while we did. If you believe in this type of thing, I am quite confident he and my dad are off fishing somewhere right now.

For me, this is a very spiritual moment. I check the obits daily in the P-D and a few minutes ago saw Mickey's. I truly share the feelings of loss, but also the really good memories of Mickey's truly genuine commitment to service to and with the people in our St. Louis community. I expect to attend the service and to provide a contribution to MASW. A true social worker role-model for us all.
Steve Zegel, MSW, ACSW, LCSW

GodSpeed Mickey! All my love to Leo and Family

May G-D grant you and family peace 
The lost a gr8 guy

Dear Adrienne and family,
Mickey was my dad's (Don Checkett) dearest friend as they battled for the rights of the less fortunate. They also always enjoyed a good joke and a good bagel. Many of our family's stories involve Mickey and my dad, and they are both sincerely missed for the joy they brought into our lives. With love and peace, Susan Checkett Heidemann

It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.

Dear Adrienne, I love you. I am heartsick over this and you and your children and grandchildren are all I can think of today. My mother and father would be heartbroken too—they adored Mickey, he was the ultimate mensch. I loved talking with him about politics last summer and so glad I got to know him in the present day, even just a little bit. Loving hugs and kisses, Caryn

I remember Mickey's passion and commitment to helping people when he worked at HDC.  He was a champion for those who were voiceless. It was a privilege to know him.

My deepest sympathy to the Rosen family. I never had the privilege of meeting Martin, but I have gotten to know his son, Leo.  If Leo is a mere reflection of Martin was, he was a wonderful and loving man.  

Tom Murphy

My deepest sympathy to the Rosen family. I never had the privilege of meeting Martin, but I have gotten to know his son, Leo.  If Leo is a mere reflection of Martin , he was a wonderful and loving man.  

Tom Murphy

From my childhood, visiting with my best friend Julie,  I remember Mickey's warmth and hospitality, always ready with a smile. What a wonderful man who passed on so many amazing values of justice and compassion to his extended family. love to the whole family in this sad time.

Mickey always worked for the good of those less fortunate.  I was privileged to know Mickey for most of life beginning at the "Y" on Union, Camp Hawthorn, and in my professional life.  He will be missed.

Dear Adrienne and family,
Our deepest sympathy to the entire family. We are devastated for you. Mickey has been the geeta nishomah role model for all of us. We will miss his indomitable spirit.
Love,
Rochelle and Stan Ferdman

This week I lost a dear friend. I miss him and will remember him always as someone who cared deeply for people and justice.

Dear Rachel and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember you and Raphi coming back from family trips very happy, having had such a good time. Your father will be in your heart always.
Love, Kathy and Rick Barnett

Adrienne, So sorry to read of your loss.May you be comforted by sweet memories of the past. 
Mark

Dear Adrienne and family,
  We were so sorry to hear of Mickey's sudden passing.  He had touched the lives of so many in such a nice way.  Jerry & Linda Vesper

What a horrible shock to find Mickey's obit in today's Post-Dispatch.  From the moment we met Adrienne and him at the Clayton art show we felt blessed by his perpetual smile, uplifting attitude, and friendship.  Thanks for so many fun memories, Mickey. God bless you and your family.

I worked at Human Development Corporation before it downsized in 1981 and had the good fortune to get to know Mickey while I worked there.  My condolences to all of you for the loss of a great guy.

Truly a wonderful man and the consummate "camp guy"! A great role model for us all.

At times it is difficult to understand why God  chooses to take someone from our midst who is so vibrant & full  of life but I hope you can find comfort in knowing that Mickey touched the lives of so many in a positive way. Hold fast to your memories & let them guide you during this difficult time.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

OBITUARY

Martin Rosen

November 1, 1933 – April 1, 2013

Berger Memorial Chapel

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