Funeral Details

Rosie was a true mentor and friend. Always there to listen without judgement. He will be missed by many. My thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends.

Stephanie (Smith) Walsh

Rosie was a great person. Always willing to go the extra mile for anyone. He will be missed by the Jewish Caucus of the NEA.

Charles Moskowitz

I will miss you my friend. Thank you for always being there for myself and my family for the past 30 years

Megan Mynatt

Great teacher and beloved friend.

Kevin Geary

I moved after my freshman year at Naperville North but there's always a handful of teachers that make an impact. Rosie was one of those teachers... Thanks for the memories. Class of 84

Richard (Rangel) Morava

I was only at Naperville North a short time, and I wasn't fortunate enough to have had Mr. Rosenthal as a teacher. But when I think of the NNHS staff, Rosie tops the list. His personality was such that he left an impression on even the students he didn't have. My deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and his former students who have kept in close contact. -Mindy Overmyer Class of 1985

Mindy Clinton-Overmyer

I loved listen to Edâ??s stories and he helped me get settled in Chicagoland. His sense of humor still makes me smile. I will miss him.

William Brinkman

I am very sorry to hear of Mr Rosenthalâ??s passing. I was in Mr Rosenthalâ??s Earth Science class at NNHS. A wonderful teacher who connected with us students. Rest In Peace.
Vanessa Sute , Class of 90




Vanessa Sute

Rosie you were an amazing teacher and mentor. I am so glad to have known you. Class of '88

Mary Wishnew

Like Mindy, I never had the pleasure of having Rosie as a teacher at NNHS, but he knew who I was and was always happy to see me whenever our paths crossed, no matter how many years it had been.

Truly an institution at NNHS and will always be remembered 🙂

Jennifer (Jenny) Walsdorf (Dunn) NNHS â??85

Rosie was everything that was right about high school. Like others, I didn't have the pleasure of having him as a teacher, but that didn't stop him from nodding at me in the hallway and calling me by my last name. The world was better off with him in it. Rest easy, Rosie.
Class of 87

Karen (Adamski) Baumann

Rosie was a great man. He is one of two teachers that had a huge impact on my life. His sense of humor always made me laugh. Sending the Rosenthal family love and light. Rosie will truly be missed by myself and many others. RIP Rosie ❤

Jennifer Peterson

The reason I loved science/earth science so much was Mr. Rosenthal. Great teacher.

NNHS '89

Cynthia Zamlynski-Riess

I taught biology at NNHS and shared a classroom with Rosie. He brightened every day. Sending condolences and wishing peace to his family!

Kristin Ciesemier

I was so lucky to have Rosie for an amazing Earth Science teacher at NNHS. He was also a dear friend to me years later after high school. It was so nice to see him 2 years ago at our reuion. He will truly be missed.

NNHS '90

Sue (Saflover) Sousa

My thoughts and prayers

Corinne GOUETA

Rosie- you put up with so much crap from me as a freshman... But you always knew how to handle me, with a smile on your face...you knew what to say and how to say it. I will miss our faithful yearly visits during spring training...now you can eat Fuddruckers 24/7 and not get in trouble...lol. Jenny Grasch, our dear friend, RIP, is waiting for you! You two can tell jokes all day long now! I'm really gonna miss you! You never judged me and loved me for who I am! Thank you Rosie for the huge impact you had on my life! I'm gonna miss you dearly... RIP. I love you friend!

Sue (Siers) Coscino

Rosie will be truly missed. I had the pleasure if him as teacher when I attended NNHS class of 89.

Julie Brouder Cruz

Ed,
Rest In Peace, dear friend and colleague. Naperville #203 Teachers Association owes a debt of gratitude for your dedicated service and perseverance toward fairness and doing what is right for teachers and their students. Proud to be your friend throughout the years.

June Doughty

So sorry to hear of Ed's passing. Sincere condolences to Hilary and the whole family.

Jan Goodman

Ed and I attended way too many NUEA meetings over the decades. He was a great guy to spend time with. Always engaged, always personable, always in a good mood it seemed (How did he do that?) May he rest in peace.

John Zimnie

Dear Hilary and family, Sending you all love and peace.

Sherre Neal

You were the most amazing person that ever touched my life...you knew when I needed encouragement and support...love you forever Rosie!!!!! You are the one person in so many people's lives that you made succeed and be the person they are today...Thank you Rosie and you are loved by so many!!!!

Patti Curry

I have worked with Ed for years in IEA & IEA-R and I always enjoyed his enthusiasm and humor. We will miss his fight on critical issues.


Marjorie Houghland

Ed was a many of many talents. But above all he was a caring individual with regard to others and their interests and concerns. He will be missed by many.

Phil Acton

Words cannot express the respect I have for this man. He seemed to want to support me when I had no other supporters. He taught me more as a friend and mentor than any teacher I ever had. I will and do miss him more than I ever imagined that I would.

John Cole

I am completely devastated by your passing. I always got a kick out of knowing that I was the one that let you know how much Hil liked you. After that the Love of both of you progressed! You were a bit crazy to getting over to watch a game in Detroit, even during a complete whiteout. I'm gonna miss the teasing & laughter, as well as your insights.
Hilary, Rachel & Becky, I never understood how well loved Ed was in the community. I will miss him on his offers on Facebook.
Coz- harvey

HARVEY SALINGER

I was fortunate to have met, talked with and learned from Ed when I was newly retired and became active in IEA-Retired. Not only was he first & foremost a teacher (even in short discussions, I learned quite a lot from him), he was, as my father, o.b.m., would say, "a gentleman & a scholar." He will truly be missed.
With sincere sympathy,
Chaya Rubenstein

Chaya Rubenstein

The world needed more time with this wonderful, funny, giving man.

Jennifer Moeller (Lache)

I'll always remember Ed as a professional, and always fun loving with a great sense of humor.

Ray Macri

Coaching against Rosie was always a great experience. Heâ??d probably be surprised at how often I think about him. Condolences to the family. - Ken Geppinger, WWSHS

Kenneth Geppinger

Rosie was more than just my high school science teacher, he was a friend, my mentor, and I truly believe he saved me from myself. My father passed away rather traumatically my freshman year, and Rosie's classroom became a safe place for me. He allowed me to grieve for my father, along with all the other pain that comes with being an outcast in high school. He made me feel like I was worth something, and gave me the push I needed to keep going even when the world seemed so very dark. I really felt like Rosie cared about me, and I loved him for it. Even after I graduated, I would go back to visit him every chance I got. When he retired, I was blessed enough to get the chance to have lunch with him a few times, just to catch up. His smile, his vitality, and the depth of his love for life always made me feel better. I will desperately miss Rosie, and I am thankful for the light and love he brought into my life.

All of my prayers to his family, and I hope the outpouring of love will help you through the grief. <3

Danielle Drummond

Decades ago when Ed was Mayor of Bolingbrook, I had asked him why our small subdivision wouldn't get plowed until the very last. He explained that it was not considered a main thoroughfare even though it abutted Schmidt and Lily Cache. I responded that our residents still had to try and get to work like everyone else. He said he would see what he could do. I remember thinking ...yeah, sure. The next massive snowfall came and so did Ed. He was on a huge road grader, cigar in his mouth, plowing my street and honking and waving. I opened my window and he shouted that he hoped this would help everyone get to work and that he always keeps his promises. I have told this story dozens of times, and it still makes me smile. May God hold you in the palm of his hands.

Diane Vandiver

Ed was both a friend and fellow NUEA leader whose affable, reasonable, informed, and logical persistence resulted in so many advancements at the bargaining table for the 1100 District 203 teachers we represented. He was especially passionate about any moves to diminish healthcare for our members. We all trusted his advice and recommendations and our trust was well placed! Rest in peace, Ed. You will be missed.

Dianne McGuire

Rosie was both my High School teacher as well as my Golf Coach. I really enjoyed his Services on Tuesday and hearing all the stories from each person that shared. His legacy will live on through those he touched.

Jennifer Lymangood

Ed was one of those very special people you never forget. I'll always be thankful for the support Ed provided for me back in the 70's, when I was struggling to get an IEA Teacher's Assn. started in Center Cass SD #66. My wife Carole and I were also active in his campaign for mayor of Bolingbrook. The last time I spoke with him was when he was at a favorite "watering hole" supporting a favorite local band with friends. His great sense of humor, willingness to help others, and efforts to make this a better world to live in will be missed. Our hearts go out to Hillary and his beloved daughters who were the the light of his life.

David Perkins

Iâ??m sorry I did not send something earlier. I just found out about Edâ??s passing through the IEA retired newsletter post in an email.
I worked in District 203 as a Reading Teacherâ??s Assistantâ?? Support Staff for 10 years. I met Ed my 2nd year in the district, we were on a bus going down to Springfield. Ed made me feel right at home and encouraged me to never stop fighting for the kids and education in Illinois and beyond. I told him about my dad - Ed remembered who he was right away. My dad ran for IEA president back in 1968. We had great talks about all sorts of topics through the years. Ed always was positive and encouraging!
Iâ??m currently retired and living in Arizona, Iâ??m trying to pass the encouragement that Ed thought me onto the young teachers here. It can be an uphill battle in a â??right to work â?? state â?? but Ed never would have given up and neither will I.
Thank you Ed!!

Karen Kotovsky