Robert (Bob) Fredrick Rosenthal

Robert (Bob), 91, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 after suffering complications from dementia. He and his family moved to Fountain Hills, Arizona in 1976, and loved the desert community and its beautiful views.
Bob was born in Buffalo, New York, graduated from Kenmore West High School in 1951 and from the engineering school at the University of Buffalo in 1955. He started his career in the aerospace industry on Long Island, New York, and later moved to Arizona where he worked for Motorola for twenty years. One of the last projects on which he took part was the International Space Station.
In his personal life, he served as a volunteer fireman for the Brighton Fire District in the Town of Tonawanda, New York, as a coach for Pop Warner football and a Webelo scout leader in West Islip, New York, as a member of the Education Committee in Fountain Hills, Arizona, and as a member of the Fountain Hills School Board during the period when McDowell Mountain Elementary and the high school were being built.
Bob loved to sing and started singing in church choirs in 1954 and community choral groups in 1961. This avocation continued well into the 21st century. With membership in the Arizona State University Choral Union, he performed in many concerts with both the ASU Orchestra and the Phoenix Symphony, and traveled on concert tours to Hawaii, Mexico City, England, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
He and his wife continued their travels and were known as “Capitol collectors”, meaning that they toured all the United States capitols, our national capitol, six Canadian parliaments, Canada’s capitol in Ottawa, and the Mexican palace in Mexico City. Along with their American travels, they visited most of the state museums. To further their love of America and American history, they went to most of the homes and presidential museums of American presidents, up to and including William Clinton, and the countless American historical sites and battlefields.
Above all, Bob was a charter member of three Lutheran churches, both in Kenmore, New York and in Fountain Hills. He was also active at his church on Long Island. He served for years on committees, on church councils, and, of course, in the choirs. His faith was strong, and his life was exemplary to his family and to all who knew him. In their high regard for their grandfather and his influence as a role model, every one of his grandchildren will be attending the Celebration of Life service, traveling to Arizona from all over the country.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Dorothy Rosenthal of Tucson, two of his brothers, Donald (Mary) of Phoenix and James (Barbara) of California, and his granddaughter, Julia Grace Nichols, of Mesa, Arizona.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Goddard Rosenthal; they were married for 67 years. His children are Elizabeth Drennon of Star, Idaho, Richard Rosenthal (Cindy) of Mesa, Arizona, and Margaret Orr of Fountain Hills, Arizona. His sister Shirley Gardner and brother Neil Rosenthal both of Tucson, Arizona.
His grandchildren are Javanna Brock, Seattle, WA; Joshua Drennon (Michelle), Parma, ID; Anastasia Drennon, Meridian, ID; Jeremy Drennon (Nicole), Nampa, ID; Jonathan Drennon, Boise, ID; Cecelia Drennon-Birch (Chris) Caldwell, ID; James Drennon (Sunshine), Portland, OR; Jason Drennon (Angelina), Meridian ID; Jaron Drennon (Amanda), Meridian, ID; Robert A.L. Rosenthal, Mesa, AZ; Heather Rosenthal Martinez (Carlos), Hickory, NC; Kathryn Nichols, Vancouver, WA; Judah Drennon (Sarah), Boise, ID; Jeeva Drennon Hall (Dillon), Vancouver, WA; step-grandson Eric Milne (April), Apache Junction, AZ; and step-granddaughter Jessica Milne Stone (Anthony), Florence, AZ.
Twenty-five great-grandchildren revered and loved “Grandpa Bob.” They are Daniel, Kenneth, Cynthia, Hailey, Danica, Zavier, Mackleigh, Jasolyn, Hazel, Kody, Raiya, Oliver, Landon, Lillian, Kinsey, Jaxon, Zachary, Isabella, Anthony II, Shelby, Braysen, Kinsley, Phoebe, Scarlett, and Alysha. In addition, a great, great-grandson, Trenton, recently came into the family.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at New Journey Lutheran Church, 16748 E. Parkview Avenue, Fountain Hills, Arizona at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, May 12, 2024. It will be led by Pastor Beth Gallen. The family requests that no flowers be given; however, a donation may be made to the Social Ministry Team at New Journey Church.