Robert Rosen

Robert RosenRobert “Bobby” Rosen, a native Denverite and former owner of Bobby’s Music Center, passed away Feb. 15, 2009, at the age of 74.

Rabbi Bruce Dollin and Cantor Martin Goldstein officiated at the Feb. 18 service at Rose Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.

“It didn’t matter whether you waved to him in the street, sat behind him at a Broncos game or bought one of his guitars –– you instantly fell in love with him,” his grandson Brandon said at the service.

“To him, everyone was important.”

Born and raised on Denver’s West side, Mr. Rosen was the youngest of five children.

He started working at age eight to provide for the family and began playing the drums when he was 12.

As an adult, Mr. Rosen worked with top local musicians throughout Denver. He also co-founded the Levey-Rosen Orchestra, which performed at numerous Jewish lifecycle celebrations.

He married Myrna Hoffberg when he was 20. They were together 51 years.  Mrs. Rosen passed away in 2006.

Mr. Rosen opened Bobby’s Music Center, a popular Denver music store and gathering place for aspiring musicians.

He later sold the store and worked as a realtor for 10 years. He joined Atlas Metal after his retirement.

A handyman, Mr. Rosen spent countless hours building, restoring and installing “just about anything” in his spare time.

He also enjoyed traveling and dining with friends and family, and his weekly outings with Leonard Sachs and Irwin Hoffberg.

“Bobby tackled many of life’s adventures with his cousin Donald Rosen,” the family said. “They remained best friends and ‘brothers’ until the day Bobby died.”

Mr. Rosen is survived by his children Mindy (Barry) Knaster and Edie Rosen; grandchildren Loren, Brandon and Adam Knaster; and sister Dorothy (Tony) Friedenson.

He was predeceased by his daughter Randi Wolfson.