Sure of the resurrection, Rev. Dr. Wilbert Rosin was called home to his Savior on Oct. 29. 2018.
Rev. Dr. Wilbert H. Rosin (February 8, 1923 – October 29, 2018)
Wilbert H. Rosin was born in the parsonage at Campbell, Minn., on February 8, 1923. He was number three in a family that would include two girls followed by five boys. His parents, Rev. Louis and Lillie Rosin, moved with their family to Tyro Township, Boyd, Minn., in 1927. In 1936, at age 13, Wil enrolled in Concordia High School and College, St. Paul, Minn. In 1947, he graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. His vicarage year was spent in Atwater, Minn., as the teacher of all eight grades in a one-room Lutheran school. He earned an MA from the University of Minnesota and a PhD from the University of Missouri, both in history.
Wil’s first teaching call out of Seminary in 1947 was to St. Paul High School and College in Concordia, Mo., where he taught a variety of subjects and started a student choir. He also had 15 piano students plus additional organ students. In 1948, Wil married Dorothy Spitz, whom he said next to his salvation was God’s greatest gift to him. They were both very active in campus life throughout his teaching ministry. Dot taught German and civics at St. Paul and also at the public high school. Their two sons, Robert and John, were born during those Concordia years.
In 1961, Wil joined the faculty at Concordia Teachers College in River Forest (now Concordia University Chicago). He was chairman of the social science department and became Dean of Graduate Studies. Following 16 years at RF, subsequent calls took them to Concordia College, Milwaukee (now in Mequon) and then Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.
At age 65, Wil began his editing career at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis. He spent parts of the next 20 years at CPH, where he developed 17 books in the Concordia Scholarship Today series, wrote hundreds of Contemporary Faith bulletin inserts, and reviewed books. He retired from active service in the church in 2009. Wil and Dot were especially interested in foreign students at their various schools, entertaining them often in their homes.
Wil’s interest in India began long ago and was enhanced by a Fulbright grant to study in India during the summer of 1963. He and Dot enjoyed the Tamil Christian Fellowship in St. Louis and returned to India in 2008 with their dear friend Dr. George Chandran.
Other awards included the Aeterna Moliri award from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn.; the Apostle Paul award from St. Paul High School, Concordia, Mo.; and Alumnus of the Year award from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, which he received along with Dr. Paul Heerboth, a longtime friend.
Wil loved playing the organ and played at many churches. He began lessons at a young age and by age 9 was playing for services in his father’s congregation. He liked attending minor league hockey games in Fort Wayne and especially choral and organ concerts. As a Seminary student, Wil sang with the St. Louis Bach Society, and years later, he and his wife volunteered at the Society’s concerts. He followed the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoyed books, Jeopardy, Indian food, and butter pecan ice cream.
He is survived by his sons, Robert (Laine) of St. Louis and John of San Francisco; brother Walter of Shawano, Wis., and a host of nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by Dorothy (2010), sisters Clara and Norma, brothers Werner/Charlie, Martin, and David.
Wil and Dot were a great team! Their loved ones were blessed in countless ways. We look forward to the resurrection and the reunion in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, suggested memorials: St. Paul Lutheran High School, 205 S. Main St., Concordia, MO 64020; or Mission Central, 40718 Highway E16, Mapleton, IA 51034.
Services: Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Road, 63123. Sunday, November 4, 2:00–5:00 p.m. Additional visitation at Chapel of the Cross, Meramec Bluffs, 1 Meramec Bluffs Drive, Ballwin, MO 63021, Monday, November 5, 9:45–10:30 a.m. Funeral: Chapel of the Cross, Meramec Bluffs, Monday, November 5, 10:30 a.m.