Frederick Rosenfeld

Fred Rosenfeld, 79, of Ardmore, passed away peacefully Thursday, September 5, 2024. He was the loving husband of Wendy (Feierman) for 56 years; loving father of Rachel (Henry) Schaumburger and Joshua (Linn Kao) Rosenfeld; cherished grandfather of Nathan, Elena, Natalie, Sage, Brayden and Luna; and dear brother of Arthur (Ana Teixido) Rosenfeld. 

He was born in Philadelphia, son of the late Paul and Ethel (Wilen) Rosenfeld. He spent his happy childhood playing with friends in the streets of Wynnefield. He graduated from his mother’s alma mater, Overbrook High School, and then earned his bachelor’s degree in Health & Physical Education at Temple University, where he also earned his masters degree. 

He was a Philadelphian through and through and spent his entire teaching career in the public school system. He started teaching at Fitzsimons Junior High and then spent the next 24 years at Overbrook. His last 11 years as a teacher were at his father’s alma mater, Central High School. He loved teaching and was known for asking his students to think deeply – to learn not just about subject content but also about themselves. Former students recall him as playing a pivotal role in their lives.

Fred found his greatest passion outside the classroom as a track and field and cross country coach. Known as “Mr. Rose” by his athletes, Fred was a heralded coach who, in his long career, won an astounding 51 Philadelphia Public League Championships (40 as a head coach and 11 as a co-head coach or assistant coach). His teams at “The Brook” and Central High School won a total of 17 public league track and field and 23 cross country titles. Additionally, he coached four championship seasons of cross country at Akiba Hebrew (now Barrack) Academy. He also spent one year as a coach at Textile College (now Philadelphia University).

Fred was recognized many times for his coaching achievements. He was honored as the Pennsylvania Track Coach of the Year in 1989, 1998 and 2004. In 1991, he was named an Honorary Referee for the Penn Relays, and he coached in the 1993 Maccabiah Games in Israel. For years he served as boys coach for the Pennsylvania Cross Country All Star teams at the Mideast Championships. Fred was one of the creators of the Overbrook High School Athletic Alumni Association (OHSAA) and was honored to lead the induction of the first class in 1991, which included Wilt Chamberlain. He himself was inducted into several halls of fame, including OHSAA, the Pennsylvania High School Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and the Belmont Plateau Cross Country Hall of Fame. 

At Overbrook, he cemented his legacy, coaching an unprecedented 14 consecutive Public League Track Championships from 1972 to 1985. In Cross Country, his 1979 team won the last-ever City Championship, while his 1988 team recorded the only perfect score in Public League Championship history. Fred mentored a large group of outstanding athletes, including a few Olympians. Many went on to run in college and became coaches themselves. Fred motivated his athletes through a combination of high expectations and an endless stream of humor. Over the years, he stayed in regular contact with his former runners, who often shared with him the tremendous impact that he had on their lives. Several of them were by his side in his last days.

Not one to relax – ever – Fred spent his summers at overnight camps in leadership roles. He and his beloved wife, Wendy, a.k.a. Canteen Lady, spent two decades at Camp Nock-A-Mixon with their children, where he served as boys head counselor and athletic director. There, he was known for his energy, charisma and countless stories. He was co-founder and co-director of Briarwood Running Camp for 25 years. 

After retirement, Fred stayed active by serving as a PIAA Cross Country and Track and Field official, and as an official at the Penn Relays. He volunteered with Students Run Philly Style and helped to establish the Penn Running Club. He was a key member of the committee that created the Academy at Palumbo, located in South Philadelphia. Also in retirement, he took up golf and was an avid cyclist.

One of Fred and Wendy’s greatest joys was spending time with their children and grandchildren. He brought his boundless energy and athleticism to this role, so that his grandchildren always looked forward to a fun time with their silly, loving and proud grandpop.

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service Monday, October 21, at 12 p.m., at Joseph Levine & Sons, 1002 W. Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA. Services will be webcasted at www.levinefuneral.com/blue-bell-webcam. Please join us for a luncheon at 2 p.m. following the Memorial Service at Sang Kee Asian Bistro, 339 Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Fred’s memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (michaeljfox.org) or to the Parkinson Council (theparkinsoncouncil.org).

www.levinefuneral.com