Remembering James Rothenberger

Dear SPH Faculty, Staff and Students:

It is with great sadness that I report to you the death of Prof. James H. Rothenberger. Jim died Dec. 8 at Fairview-University Hospital. He was 61.

For someone as young as Jim, he had over the years become an institution within the SPH and the State of Minnesota having taught public health to tens of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students since 1969. As I have traveled around the state representing the SPH, I almost inevitably would hear these words from someone: "Do you know Jim Rothenberger? I took a course from him once. He was one of the best teachers I ever had!" Jim's eminence as a teacher was recognized by the University a number of years ago when he was awarded the title /Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Instructor of Public Health, /one of the highest honors the University bestows on its educators.

Jim's reputation extended well beyond his teaching. He was a recognized expert nationally in HIV/AIDS prevention, school and college health, death and dying education and counseling, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, and community health. He was also an SPH and University pioneer in the use of Web technology for learning. The awards and honors he has received over the years are numerous and well deserved as his vita amply demonstrates: www.sph.umn.edu/faculty/faculty.asp?x5=rothe001

Those of us who knew Jim well, knew of the great health challenges he faced over the years. As an early kidney transplant recipient who faced years of immuno-suppressant therapy, Jim was remarkable for his physical and emotional resilience. Despite repeated dire health crises, he always sprang back ready to teach the next backbreaking load of courses with his group of loyal and well-trained teaching assistants. It was his love of learning, teaching and students that seemed to restore him each time. But Jim also knew over the years that health challenges this serious sooner or later catch up to someone even as as robust and resilient as himself.

We were in touch with Jim yesterday about his participation in an upcoming meeting of CLA and SPH faculty to discuss undergraduate courses in public health. Jim let us know he couldn't be at the meeting but promised to call in if he felt better. Honestly, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he called.

Jim wanted a private service in his beloved Grand Marais, Minnesota for family and close friends. The SPH and the University will plan a memorial service for early 2009 celebrating his life and achievements. Details are forthcoming.

John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
Dean and Professor