I last saw and spoke with Arnie in l991. What I always noted about him was his great intellectual and creative capacity.
He was engaging to talk to, witty, and funny. He was passionate about what he did in all things.  He won't be forgotten--he was unique! My condolences to his family.

I first knew Arnie as Professor Rosner at Wagner College in the early 1970s. He had a talent for making music class fun, engaging, and always rewarding. We developed a close friendship that lasted a lifetime. For decades we kept in touch by the means of cassette tapes which we mailed to each other on a regular basis. I looked forward to the arrival of each and every one of them. The conversations on those tapes were wonderful lessons in music, in life, in laughter, that I shall forever remember. Arnie let me eavesdrop on his latest compositions in progress. His commentary about his own works, and those of Vaughan Williams, Hovhaness, Shostakovich, Holmboe, and a host of other favorite composers (as well as those whose music we mutually despised!), were just as lively, insightful and instructive as I had recalled from his music class. They made deep impressions and still very much influence my embrace of this music. The premieres of Arnie's works in concert were extraordinary events. Present at these were his sister Irene and her husband Raphael, his parents, the late Lillian and David, who, like Arnie himself, were/are wonderful generous people flowing over with warmth and humanity. The last live performance of Arnie's music I attended was the one at Merkin Concert Hall in celebration of Arnie's 60th birthday; and the last I saw Arnie was on June 1st of this year at the wake of our mutual friend and Arnie's colleague, Dr. Ronald Cross. Arnie and I dined together that evening at a local Thai restaurant where his love for music, fine food and good wine had lost none of its luster or intensity. It was a privilege to know Arnie. I shall deeply miss him and will cherish his memory forever.

I am deeply saddened at the passing of my friend Arnold, whom I knew for 34 years. We met at bridge but became friends over a love of music---his and others'. He was eccentric, mentally rigorous, with fierce passion which he expressed in his art. I always enjoyed his company and I will miss him forever.

It is with great sorrow that I learned of Arnie's passing.  We knew each other for almost 50 years, and although we didn't see each other often, it was always an event that I look forward to.  He had three major loves his life: bridge; food; and music.  I put them  alphabetically on purpose, as I would have difficulty ranking them.  He was passionate about all three.  My greatest wish is that h
is music be preserved, and eventually achieve the widespread fame and appreciation that it didn't achieve during his lifetime.  May his memory be a blessing.

OBITUARY

Arnold Rosner

November 8, 1945 – November 11, 2013

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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