Richard Rose

Richard (Dick) Alan Rose passed away in the loving presence of his wife, Sandy, in Columbus Ohio at the age of 83. In the weeks preceding his passing, he was surrounded by his brother, children, and a team of adoring caretakers.

Dick grew up in Cleveland Ohio, playing clarinet in the Cleveland Heights High School orchestra and marching band. He graduated from Cleveland Heights in 1959 then enrolled at University of Michigan where he continued his musical passions playing in the Michigan Marching band and pursuing degrees in marketing and business. While pursuing his education and love for music, he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Killmeyer (Peg Walker) and in 1964 became a loving father to his daughter, Debra Lynn Rose.

In 1965 Dick moved his family to Portage, Michigan and accepted a strategic planning position with the Upjohn Company (now Pfizer). Soon after Dick and Peggy welcomed their second child, Mark Lewis Rose. In addition to 18 years as part of the Upjohn family, and a lifetime of following Michigan football with great passion, Dick joined Temple B’nai Israel where he served several terms as Temple President and parlayed his clarinet talents into Shofar duties for the congregation.

In 1982 Dick married his second wife, Michi Ishida Rose, and in 1985 his youngest son, Brian Ishida Rose was born. Michi and Dick remained in Kalamazoo where Dick refined his passion for flea market and antique hunting into Rose Vintage Instruments, a side-gig turned retirement passion for collecting old musical instruments, slide rules, and antique drafting instruments. He became a proud member of the Oughtred Society and traveled the world visiting others with similar interests. In 2022 a significant portion of Dick’s slide rule and drafting instrument inventory became a part of the MIT Science and Technology Museum collection.

In 2000 Dick married his beloved Sandy Zimmerman Rose and returned to his native state of Ohio, traipsing proudly around Ohio State territory wearing his beloved Michigan Marching Band hat. In 2022 Dick and Sandy moved to Wesley Ridge and became active contributors to the community. Dick excelled in corn hole, chair volleyball, and whatever else Sandy signed him up to do!

Dick cherished his family and never missed an opportunity to tell them that he loved and was proud of them. Dick also ensured his children and grandchildren were conditioned to smile for the camera, taking 1000s of pictures of each of them.

Dick is survived by his extraordinary wife, Sandy Zimmerman Rose, his younger and beloved brother, Mitchel David Rose (Karen), his daughter, Deb Rose, his son Mark Rose (Beth), his son Brian Rose (Nika) and his nieces Lauren Rose (Courtney), and Erica Rose (Leah). His trail of influence is extended through his grandchildren, Claudia Rose, Bennett Ralston (Victoria), Julia Rose, Grace Ralston, and by Sandy’s beautiful daughters, Ellyn (Waleed) and Stephanie (Jeff) and their children. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian Shanman and Sanford Rose.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Temple Israel (link below) or a charity of your choice.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am, Friday, May 30, 2025 at Temple Israel, 3100 E Broad Street, Columbus.