PORTLAND – A memorial was scheduled for Tuesday for Fred Rosenbaum, a well-known philanthropist and the founder of "Camp Rosenbaum" for underprivileged children.
Rosenbaum had been battling kidney cancer for years. He died last week, at the age of 83.
Camp Rosenbaum made a difference in the lives of thousands of Oregonians since it was created in 1972. Friends and family said Rosenbaum dedicated his life to serving others. His memorial was scheduled to begin at noon at the Portland base of the Oregon Air National Guard. Rosenbaum, who retired from the Oregon Air National Guard in 1986, served in the U.S. Army during WWII, and in both the Oregon Army and Oregon Air National Guard over his 42-year military career. His most recent position was as the Assistant Adjutant General (Air) for the Oregon National Guard.
Earlier in life, Rosenbaum attended Reed College, Northwestern College of Law, and Portland State University, earning advanced degrees in political science and urban studies. He also served as the Chairman for the Housing Authority of Portland for 13 years and President of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
He was probably best known for the founding of Rosenbaum Financial, LLC, a life insurance brokerage, in 1957, and the annual citizenship youth camp which bears his name, Camp Rosenbaum, in 1972.
Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard, said Rosenbaum lived a truly inspiring life.
"We have been blessed that his ardent interest in public service included the military and the Oregon National Guard," Rees said of Rosenbaum.
Rosenbaum was survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, the former Jane Schlesinger, son Mark, daughter Lori Krasnowsky, and three grandchildren.
The memorial ceremony will be held inside the hanger that bears his name at the Portland Air Base. The address is: 6800 SW Cornfoot Road in Portland.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family was requesting donations in Rosenbaum’s memory for any of the following charities:
- Camp Rosenbaum Fund, c/o GREAT, 449 NE Emerson, Portland, Ore. 97211, ATTN: Erin Parks.
- Portland State University Foundation, P.O. Box 243, Portland, Ore. 97043.
- American Cancer Society, online at cancer.org,/Gifts in Memory.
- Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders, Portland, Ore. 97209
Cards and letters can be sent to the family in care of Holman's Funeral Service, 2610 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, Ore. 97214.
