Born: - Deceased: 20200920
Edward P. Rose, 74, died September 20, 2020, in St. Louis, MO after a battle against Covid-19. Born in St. Louis, MO, he was preceded in death by his parents, Edward F. & Miriam Rose, his brother Terry Rose (Carolyn), and his grandson, Declan Dietzel. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Harriet Nangle Rose, seven children, Katie Hulett (Kevin), Edward T. Rose (Jackie), Stephen Rose, Emily Rose (Seth Frederiksen), Kevin Rose (Lauren), Julie Dietzel (Brian), and Jill Scherbel (TJ); as well as 20 additional grandchildren: Aiden, Connor, Ava, & Clara Hulett; Eddie, Alaina, Clare, & Mary Rose; Quinn & Kai Frederiksen; Finnegan & Sawyer Rose; Brian, Rose, & John Dietzel; Julie, Elise, Isla, Auggie, & Fritz Scherbel; his siblings Mary Meehan (Steve) & Philip Rose (Patti); his step-mother Helen Rose, and scores of in-laws, cousins, nieces & nephews, and friends near and far.
A polio survivor, Ed led a life dedicated to family, service, and science. He thrived at Saint Louis University High School and yielded laser focus to graduate early from the University of Notre Dame. He attended Washington University Medical School before completing his residency at Barnes, and a fellowship at Royal Victoria Hospital/McGill University in Montreal. He opened a private practice in Belleville, IL and provided care for 45 years as a board-certified rheumatologist and internist, served as president of the Medical Society of St. Clair County, a chess club coach, and an appointed member of the Illinois State Medical Licensing Board for nearly 20 years.
Ed Rose was quiet and deeply ethical man who-though not overly demonstrative-spoiled his family with unwavering stability and strength. He believed in directing energy in productive ways, paired with kindness. When his wife’s friend passed away, Ed planted more rosebushes so that Harriet would never know if the original plant gifted by her friend had wilted. In the twilight, he’d pause alongside the bushes, head bowed examining the blooms, cultivating the rose garden in devotion to his wife. He simply made things easier, for everyone.
He loved a noisy home and made it so with generations of children running wild, shouting, playing, and tattling. Friends, relatives, neighbors sought him out, for conversation, help, a poker game, advice, or the occasional flu shot. His raucous Sunday dinner table brought forth debate and passionate disagreements; and abundance of laughter, story-telling, comfort food, wine-and for Ed, always dessert. He taught everyone to fish, study, water ski, hike, play chess, travel widely, follow through on commitments, be philanthropic, and the art of enjoying a screened-in porch.
Ed’s practice was a vocation and a commitment to service. When retirement was suggested last March due to Covid-19, Ed stated that he could not abandon his patients amid a pandemic. He will be missed by everyone who ever had the privilege of knowing him.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, send donations in his name for Covid-19 research, specifically “Washington University, Atkinson’s Research #35441”. https://gifts.wustl.edu/med
Visitation: Public Visitation from 6 to 8:00 pm, Friday September 25, 2020 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL. (Covid restrictions will be followed)
Funeral: Due to Covid, services will be private at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with Father Matthew Elie and Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Saint Louis, MO.
There will be a memorial celebration when safe to do so in 2021.
37 Comments
I am sorry for your loss. He will be missed. He was a great Dr.
Harriet and kids – Chris and I are so sorry for your loss. We have great memories of being your neighbors on the Blvd for so many years. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I worked for Dr. Rose for 18 years and he was the kindest person I’ve ever met. He was a fabulous doctor and everyone who met him loved him. My deepest condolences to Harriet and his children.
All of the Bolestas send prayers your way. We have fond memories of Ed as a neighbor and as a dad. He was always generous with his time and medical expertise. Besides, he made me laugh. Harriet and Ed seemed perfect together and w we keep you in our hearts.
Love, your longtime Signal Hill neighbors and friends-Rob, Chris, Evan, Courtney, Jennifer, Elizabeth and Margaret Bolesta
Such a great man. I always appreciated his wonderful support of Blessed Sacrament School. He was a light for all of us, setting such a positive example of service to others.
This is such sad news. There was no one nicer than Dr. Rose. I had the privilege of teaching five of his beautiful children, and in 27 years of teaching I have never met a family more dedicated to education. With every new child of his, at the parent teacher conference, he and Harriet would always just say,”Let us know if you need anything.” And they truly meant it. Their personal checkbook was kept in my middle desk drawer in my classroom. Their kindness and generosity has meant so much to me and my entire family. All of the Roses are a joy to be around, and Dr. Rose was always the quiet one in the family crowd, but when you looked over at him, you could always see the love and pride in his eyes when looking at his loud active family. What an incredible legacy he has left for anyone who knew him. All my love and sorrow to his remarkable wife, Harriet, and all of his beautiful children and grandchildren. I know he will be looking down on all of you with such pride in his eyes. He will be missed by so many. Take care of yourselves.
Dear Rose Family,
Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I remember Dr. Rose fondly from my days at Blessed Sacrament and later when I would occasionally see him at family events. He was always genuine and unpretentious — and I know he was a loyal and devoted in all aspects of his life. I am sure he will be missed more than words can say. Please know that all of you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss. I have known dr ROse for 20 years. H e will be deeply missed at memorial hospital. Our prayers are with you .
Dr Badahman
Dear Rose Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He took great care of our Mother Minnie Rose Widman for years. What a beautiful family you have. He will be missed.
I was a long time patient of Dr. Rose and was so saddened to hear of his passing. I always remember him walking into the room with a “hello, how are you doing.” Since I had a lot of problems with my arthritis, I surprised him once by saying “good!” His reply was “ you never say that!” He was always soft-spoken but I had every confidence in the wonderful treatment he gave me. He actually took the time to really talk to you and see how you were feeling. He never made you feel rushed or as if he didn’t care. He was one of the best doctors I have ever had. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family. He was so dedicated to his patients and helped me so many times over the years. I will definitely miss going to see him, Elsie, and Cindy. God bless you.
Dear Harriet & Family,
I am so sorry for your great loss and hope that joyful memories of a life well lived will soon fill your hearts. May Ed Rest In Peace and our good Lord comfort all of you at this most difficult and sad time. With deepest sympathy,
Love & prayers, Clare C Martin
Amazing Man! Amazing Life! An amazing family he leaves behind. So sorry for your loss. Our condolences and prayers…
Phyllis and I are deeply saddened to learn that our rear friend Ed has left us. It is entirely in character that devotion to his vocation has cost him his life. Our hearts go out to a very special cousin Harriet and her lovely family at this heartbreaking time for them. When they last visited us in Ireland, we little thought that we were bidding him a last goodbye. We can only find some consolation in the fact that it was a privilege to have known him. We pray that Harriet can eventually find consolation in the memories of years spent with such a loyal, generous and devoted husband and best friend and his children in having had such a special father. May he forever rest in peace.
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss and for our neighborhood. As a long-revered neighbor of Signal Hill, Dr. Rose was the BOOlevard’s official Halloween Trick or Treat crowd counter. He had a scientific system, of course, and it was dimes. Ed would get umpteen rolls from the bank. Few kids returned to #6 doorstep for repeat dimes, so his crowd counts were always the most accurate. We’d all eagerly anticipate the grapevine with word of Ed’s count which frequently exceeded 1,000 kids! With the COVID milestone passed this weekend, I’d like to think that Dr. Rose counted, and that he was number 200,000. Love and prayers for Harriet and all the kids. We will miss Ed.
I am so incredibly saddened and sorry to hear about this . My deepest condolences and prayers go out to Harriett and family.
Sending prayers to you and your family during this difficult time — what a wonderful man and legacy. May your many happy memories together bring you comfort and peace.
Much love, Megan (Weidmann) Sustar and family
Dear Harriet and family,
Lew and I are so saddened to hear of Ed’s passing. He was a fine neighbor and friend, respected by his peers and loved by his family. We have many great memories of good times at your house and will treasure those memories. We send our sympathy, hugs and prayers for peace in your hearts.
Harriet & family you have our prayers during this difficult time. Ed was a prince of a man, devoted to his family & his medical practice. We will always remember the swim team years! He will be missed by all that knew him.?❤️?. Love, Dominic & Rena Sabatino and family
Harriet and family
I am so very sorry for your loss. Dr Rose was a great physician and respected by everyone. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jo Ann Bohnenstiehl
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. What a great loss . . .
Harriet , I remember when he treated my father at the hospital. He was so great explaining to me ( during my difficult time ) what had happened. I am eternally grateful for all our your family’s efforts.
May it comfort you to know others care. Harriet, I remember when we both worked together. My deepest sympathy . . . to you and your family
I am saddened to hear of the death of one of my contemporaries. Even though four years ahead of me at Pillar and out of SLUH before I arrived, Ed was one of my heroes growing up. I remember being at a CASHBAH at SLUH with he and Harriett and the table was as described in the obituary: an abundance of laughter and storytelling. Be assured of my prayers at this difficult time. Regards to his sister, brother, and all the family.
Four years at SLUH. Same homeroom, same classes, same rifle team. Ed was a great guy and one of the few guys I judged to be smart enough to warrant copying his homework. Also a life worth copying. .
Dear Harriet and Family,
It was with deep sorrow that we read your dearly beloved Ed’s name in this morning’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch. We extend our condolences and ask our good and gracious God’s comfort to each of Ed’s family. The memories we and our children immediately recalled about Ed occurred due to his daughter Katie and our daughter Kristen being classmates at Cor Jesu Academy. The Father-Daughter Banquet always found Ed, garbed in a tuxedo that featured a ruffled shirt, out on the dance floor with Katie, doing his/their very active version of the Twist. The other girls and their dads encircled the Roses, cheering and clapping for their rendition. Going to the lake with the Rose family was also a thrill, as guests were tutored in the fine art of water skiing. Kristen also recalled a fabulous trip with the family to Chicago and to witness a fighting Irish Notre Dame football game. Harriet, your being a # 1 chauffeur, always stopping by for a chat, as the girls got themselves ready, makes us still smile about your generosity and patience. Know that you and the kids will be in our prayers and sweet memories. God bless Ed and all those whom he has loved.
Dear Harriet, family and especially the sons that I knew Eddie and Kevin,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Although I did not know him well, I knew he was a good man, a good doctor and a husband and father par excellence.
All of you will be in our prayers.
Such a great loss to everyone who knew him. Knowing Ed has enriched our lives. We will carry with us many memories of him from the family and the homes he and Harriet made, visits with Helen, Halloweens, flu shots, and so much more. A gracious host and a lively conversationalist, he was from the rare breed who could disagree without being disagreeable. A life so fully lived, remembered with affection and with sadness at his passing.
Clark and Karon Ray
Doc, you will be missed by many. I will miss Friday night liability card games and eating Bobo’s fantastic popcorn with you. And who could forget the excel spread sheet for keeping score!! Lov ya kid. Lisa B
I attended Our Lady of the Pillar and Notre Dame with Ed. We were not close friends and I had not seen him for decades. But reading about his passing reminded me how I was always struck that he never failed to reach out with kindness and empathy to anyone who needed a friend. I have known very few like him.
My condolences to his family.
Ken Capps
The above comments on Ed’s life call to mind the words of Fr. Henri Nouwen in his book “Life of the Beloved” p 96 ff: “The death of the Beloved bears fruit in many lives. You and I have to trust that our short little lives can bear fruit far beyond the boundaries of our chronologies. But we have to choose this and trust deeply that we have a spirit to send that will bring joy, peace and life to those who will remember us. Francis of Assisi died in 1226, but he is still very much alive! …
…The spirit of love, once freed from our mortal bodies, will blow where it will, even when few will hear its coming and going.” Send us your spirit, Ed.
I have been a patient of his for years, and I will miss his quiet demeanor, and great patient care.
I knew Dr. Rose as my doctor, and he was a sweet, caring man. I will certainly miss him. Please accept my deepest condolences.
He was the prototype professional. He was very stoic in his routine to serve his patients.
For the family and loved ones…
Sing, Wounded Soul
I cannot hold your cries,
they slip through my fingers.
I cannot take away your pain,
it lies so far beyond my reach.
I cannot dig out your sorrow,
its roots are too deep.
I cannot chase away your fears,
they hide and creep out later.
I can only tell you, you are loved.
So, sing, wounded soul…
your tears do not fall into emptiness.
JDB
We knew Ed and Harriet as our neighbors at the lake for the last four years. His visits had been infrequent in recent years, but I felt like I got to know him nonetheless because he was so hospitable! I Especially enjoyed his family and their open embrace of new people, new ideas and just plain fun. Everyone liked him and he will be sorely missed by all of us at the lake.
My husband and I just learned of Dr. Rose’s passing. We are truly saddened to hear this. He was my husband’s doctor for several years and always treated him with such kindness and compassion. We don’t know how we will ever find someone like him. Our most heartfelt sympathy for his entire family.
Dr. Jawad and Mahrukh Khan
ina lilahay wa ina elahay rajaoon- indeed we all return to our Lord
May God’s Peace and Blessings be upon Dr. Rose and give patients to his Family. We will dearly miss Dr. Rose and his wonderful dedicated service to the community and us physicians.
To the Family of Dr. Ed Rose,
you have my deepest sympathy. I can’t tell you how saddened I was to hear about his passing today. I new Ed
was a great family man, but He was “my”doctor and a great one. He helped me recover from serious arthritis when I was young and I continued to see him for over 40 years. He was a prince of a guy and will be missed for sure by his family but also
by all his patients. God bless you all.
Oh, Harriet, your sister, Theresa, recently sent me the sad news of the death of your beloved husband Ed, and the link to this obituary.
After reading through these words and stories of Ed, and your life together, the picture of your entire family, children and grandchildren, and all the memories of Ed and the stories of his dedication to his patients, not abandoning them in this horrific time of Covid, then succumbing to the disease himself and losing his own life, I am in such awe of him, and of YOU, in his heroic decision to continue serving his people, that I am shaken to the core. Having moved away from STL to Cleveland, and now years after we each married and began a different life, I’ve now a glimpse of the ‘arc of your life’ with Ed, the gentle Doctor, and your lively and energetic family you both generated!! What a life you have had together. I feel enriched to have read about him and you and your wonderful family. I loved the comment that said “Ed, send us your spirit”. Yes. Please accept my condolences, Harriet, and my apologies for sending them to you so late. With love, Julie