Obituary of Herbert Rossman

Herbert Rossman, 95, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2023 after a long illness. Beloved by his family and friends, he blessed us with his devotion, humility, keen intellect and infectious sense of humor. He was born in Philadelphia, and lived in the Philadelphia area until he and his wife, Anita, moved to Santa Cruz in 1992. He graduated from Penn State University and earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from Drexel University and a Law degree from Temple University. He was a practicing attorney and labor arbitrator, and the chairman of the undergraduate law department at Drexel University for many years. He was passionate about teaching and deeply valued by his students. He was awarded the Faculty Appreciation Award presented by the students to a faculty member of the College of Business at Drexel for outstanding service.

Herb developed interests in college which were put on hold as he engaged in his career and helped raise his family and then pursued again avidly in retirement. He had a beautiful singing voice, and in college was a member of an acapella group that composed and performed their songs in local venues and on the radio. A talented actor, he performed in stage productions at Penn State and met his beloved Anita in an acting class the year after graduating from college. In retirement, he performed in one act plays at Santa Cruz University, and for several years sang and acted with the Choraliers at the Mid-County Senior Center in Capitola. He was also an excellent four wall handball player and table tennis player. For many years, he was consistently one of the top table tennis players in the Huntsman National Senior Games and he continued playing table tennis until he turned 85.

Herb loved to travel, and journeyed with Anita and his family throughout North America and Europe. In 1987 Anita suffered a serious stroke and Herb cared for her with unwavering love and devotion for the next 26 years. He and Anita were members of Congregation Kol Tefillah and were cherished by members of the congregation for many years.

Herb was predeceased by Anita, his parents, Ida and Louis Rossman, and his sister, Sheila Chefetz. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Rossman and his wife Diane, son Steven and his wife Tracey, daughter Tammi Benjamin and her husband Ilan, and his six grandchildren, Daniel Benjamin, Joel Benjamin, Gabriel Rossman, Grace Rossman, Sam Rossman and Ben Rossman, and three great grandchildren, Noah Benjamin, Lilly Benjamin, and Lev Benjamin. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, June 7 at Congregation Kol Tefillah Synagogue, 200 Washington St., Santa Cruz, immediately followed (at about 4pm) by a graveside service at Home of Peace Cemetery, 422 Meder St., Santa Cruz (between Western Dr. and Nobel Dr.). Donations in Herb's memory can be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County and the Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Avenue, Capitola, CA, 95010.