Ralph A Rothstein

Ralph A. Rothstein -- 96
Much loved father of 9
Devoted husband of Eileen
Successful businessman and leader


Ralph A. Rothstein, retired Vice-President of Industrial Relations, Personnel, and Public Relations of the former Sundstrand Corporation, Rockford, IL, died peacefully in Presence St. Anne Center on Friday, January 3, surrounded by most members of his family singing and praying How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, and Do Not Be Afraid. Born December 8, 1917 in Haynes, ND, he was the fourth son of six children of pioneering parents Christ and Mary Elizabeth (O'Keefe-McCarney) Rothstein, attended Haynes Public School, graduated Jamestown University, ND, and taught high school and coached athletics in Grafton, ND.

A USNR veteran of WWII, Ralph proudly served his country from 1941--1945 on the USS Ancon, flagship of the Naval Amphibious Corps of the US Atlantic Fleet for the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Salerno, Italy, and Omaha Beach on D-Day; and later in the Pacific on the USS Fergus which landed troops on Guam, Saipan, Einewetok, and Hokkaido for the surrender of Japan, 1945.

After the war Ralph entered a master's degree program at University of Minnesota School of Business Administration and began his working career at War Assets Administration, Cargill Inc, then with 3M Company, St. Paul, MN as Director of Industrial Relations. In 1964 he joined Sundstrand Corporation until retirement, 1983. He was very active in numerous professional, educational, health, religious, and social organizations, including OSF Advisory Board President, United Way Campaign Chairman, Boylan Educational Foundation, St. Elizabeth Social Center, Northern Illinois Hospice, Forest Hills Country Club, and Holy Family Church where he was an active member since 1964. The Chamber of Commerce honored Ralph with the Top of Illinois award for his community leadership and contributions.

Ralph will be sadly missed by his wife of 66 years, Eileen, whom he married Easter Monday 1947 in Minneapolis, MN, and their nine children: Mary Kris Derry (Patrick), Rockford, IL; Gretchen Grangaard (John), Wayzata, MN; Jane Nayes (Terry), Eden Prairie, MN; John Rothstein (Jennifer), Milwaukee, WI; Anne Anderson (James), Chico, CA; Paul Rothstein, deceased (Heidi Fischer); Gregory Rothstein (Stephanie), Milwaukee, WI; Lucy Rothstein Allen (Todd), Milwaukee, WI; Susan Foss (Jon), Shorewood, MN; 18 grandchildren: Alesha, Chris, Laura, Tim, Emily, David, Alex, Kathryn, Peter, Paul, Jacqueline, Grace, Leah, Will, Jonathan, George, Josie, and Mae, and six great grandchildren; as well as his brothers-in-law, James Schulte and Fr. Lyle L. Schulte, sisters-in-law Jean Ryan Rothstein, Myrtle and Vicki Schulte, numerous nieces and nephews, and many good friends. Predeceased by his parents, son Paul (2005), brothers James, Peter, Joseph (in infancy) and Eugene, sister Patricia Milliren, and many Schulte and Rothstein in-laws.

A mass of Praise and Thanksgiving to celebrate Ralph's life will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Highcrest and Alpine Roads, Rockford, with Eileen's brother Fr. Schulte officiating and Fr. David Beauvais concelebrating. Visitation will be held in the church from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Private burial at St. Mary's Cemetery, Rockford at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rothstein Endowment Fund for the Indigent/Aged, c/o Presence St. Anne's Center, 4405 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107, or to a charity of choice.