Isaac Irving Rosen

Born January 4, 1947 in Germany, Isaac Rosen grew up in Los Angeles, CA the only child of Sally and Sam Rosen. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, as well as a distinguished medical physicist in radiation oncology who was at the forefront of his field.

After graduating from University of California Los Angeles, he met and married his wife, Ellen Unell, on August 20, 1972. After completing his Masters Degree from California State University Northridge, they moved to Albuquerque, NM, where he received his PhD from the University of New Mexico while working at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center.

In 1983, they moved to Houston, TX, so Isaac could pursue his career as a medical physicist in radiation oncology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) atGalveston. Isaac had a successful career at UTMB for 10 years, ultimately becoming a tenured Associate Professor. In 1995, he joined MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) where he became Section Chief, earned tenure, and then was appointed Clinical Professor. In 2006, he retired from MDACC as Emeritus Professor. He then accepted a teaching and clinical position at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, LA, and subsequently entered his first retirement. In 2009, he returned to work at Houston Methodist Hospital as a medical physicist in radiation oncology, before finally retiring in 2014.

Isaac had a lifelong passion for art, which he continued throughout his professional career. He took classes at the Glassell School of Art, exploring different media and participating in art shows around Houston. In addition to art, Isaac spent his retirement pursuing various hobbies, including computer programming, digital imaging, restoring a vintage Triumph car, and hiking National Parks in the Southwestern United States.

As an active member of Congregation Shaar Hashalom, Isaac dedicated many years to serving as a board member and on various planning committees. He volunteered regularly at MD Anderson Cancer Center and at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.

Family always came first for Isaac. He was a devoted husband of almost fifty years, father and grandfather, and he will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Rosen, and the beautiful family they created together: daughters Rachel Rosen and partner Dar Malecki of Charlottesville, VA; Laura Jessee and husband Chris of Austin, TX; and Emily Olin and late husband Andy of Houston, TX. He is survived by six much beloved grandchildren: Tyler and Caroline Jessee; Alexandra and Elena Mason; and Grace and Emma Olin.

A graveside service for Isaac will be held Friday, July 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Forest Park East Cemetery, Webster, TX. It will also be live-streamed through Levy Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Sha’ar Hashalom

(https://www.shaarhashalom.org/payment.php) or MD Anderson Cancer Center (https://gifts.mdanderson.org/).