Walter Rosenberry III, 74, educator and philanthropist

Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Walter S. Rosenberry III, a longtime teacher at the Kent Denver School, was known as a quiet philanthropist who gave generously of his time and money.

"He lived a very worthy life and deserved all the recognition that he avoided in his life," said Todd Horn, head of the Kent Denver School.

Mr. Rosenberry died Tuesday while swimming in the pool at his Denver apartment complex. He was 74.

Born Aug. 26, 1931, in St. Paul, Minn., he graduated from the elite Taft School in Watertown, Conn., in 1949. There, he developed a lifelong interest in education.

"He believed in the power that knowledge had in order to better understand the world and effect change," Horn said.

Mr. Rosenberry graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1953 and served with the Army at Fort Riley, Kan., from 1953-1955.

In 1955, he started his teaching career at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Kamuela, Hawaii, where he taught English and history.

"He always had a keen interest in the English language and the language being spoken properly," said his son, Charles Rosenberry, of Vashon, Wash.

Mr. Rosenberry married Margaret Ross in 1956 in Los Gatos, Calif. They divorced in 1999, and he married Susan Bonsall in 2001.

In 1957, he came to Denver, where he taught English and history at what then was known as Denver Country Day School. It later merged with the Kent School for Girls to become what is now the Kent Denver School.

Charles Rosenberry said his father often invited students home for dinner.

"That was a real highlight for him," he said. "He loved teaching, and he loved interacting with the students."

A descendant of Charles Augustus Weyerhaeuser, who made a fortune in lumber in St. Paul, Mr. Rosenberry decided to retire from teaching in 1981 and devote his time and resources to philanthropic organizations.

One was the Children's Hospital Foundation, where he was a board member from 1978 to 1993 and chaired the board for two years.

"He's remembered for attending the monthly service-award luncheons so he could meet the people who make the hospital run," said Sandy Morrison, vice president of the foundation.

Mr. Rosenberry also served on the board of trustees for the Denver Art Museum.

"As a trustee, he played a central role in the growth of the Denver Art Museum in the 1980s and an active role right up to the selection of Daniel Libeskind as architect for the Denver Art Museum's expansion," said Lewis Sharp, director of the museum.

Another longtime association that Mr. Rosenberry had was with Graland Country Day School, which all three of his children attended. He became a lifetime trustee in 1971.

Rob Stein, head of the school, said Mr. Rosenberry was also a remarkable donor in that he never imposed conditions on his gifts.

"He was very generous and asked the school to determine what the needs were," Stein said.

Some of his fondest memories of Mr. Rosenberry were of his voice messages.

"The guy had the most incredible command of the English language," Stein said. "He didn't speak in full sentences but in full paragraphs."

Other boards on which Mr. Rosenberry served include: Forest History Society, Supreme Court Historical Society, Colorado Public Radio, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Community Resource Center, Seeking Common Ground, Menninger Foundation and Hospice of Metro Denver.

In addition to his wife and son Charles, Mr. Rosenberry is survived by another son, Philip Rosenberry, of Amherst, Mass.; daughter Nancy Gaustad, of New York City; and three grandchildren.

Other survivors include his mother, Sarah Maud Sivertsen, and stepfather, Robert Sivertsen, both of St. Paul, Minn., and two sisters, Elise Donohue, of Clyde Park, Mont., and Lucy Jones, of Wayzata, Minn.

A private service will be held, but a public memorial will be scheduled later. His body will be cremated.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Graland Country Day School, Kent Denver School, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Community Resource Center, Fenway High School or donor's choice.