Thoughts about Var Rosenbaum

Var Rosenbaum holding Jonathan Ewell

We all know Var Rosenbaum by different names Dad, Grandpa, or Great Grandpa. No matter what name you call him he still deserves to be highly revered. For all those who wanted to participate we have gathered our thoughts and feelings about him. This was suppose to be for father's day, but better late than never. Have fun reading.


6-28-09

A great memory I have that will be treasured by the whole family eventually is transcribing cassette tapes for my Father, Var Rosenbaum. The first project was transcribing a recording Neal Rosenbaum made at a family home evening of his father, Bennie, who was answering questions and telling stories of his life.

Another project was transcribing tapes of Var’s siblings and spouses talking about the lives of their parents, Bennie and Mary Alice, and their memories of them.

Another is scanning some photos of Dad’s from his days serving in the Navy, serving a mission in California and attending BYU.

When I did these and whenever I get back into them, I have special tender emotions. I am grateful to have the transcripts and photos and to have been able to do this. That’s where the scripture comes true about turning the hearts of the children to their fathers.

I’ll include a photo of Var on his mission in California during the time of September 1947 to 1949, taken in front of the fire station that they lived above. Also, since we’re focused on fathers there is a photo of Bennie Rosenbaum, Var’s father. This was taken in Bennie’s backyard at his home in Spanish Fork, Utah about the year 1943. Bennie would have been about 43 years old. I couldn’t resist putting in one of Mary Alice Rosenbaum, also. She’s gardening in the back yard. See how gardening has been handed down?! We all love it!

Love your daughter, Colette Ewell

Elders Var Rosenbaum and Darrell Smith

Bennie Rosenbaum

Alice Rosenbaum

I remember Grandpa putting on his grubby clothes and going outside to do yard work. I remember feeling very impressed that he did so many things with his difficulties. Some of my best memories are going to Grandpa's house and eating hamburgers and desserts in the summer time. We also had a lot of fun picking cherries up high from the tree.
~Nathan Rosenbaum~

I always love working in the yard at Grandma and Grandpa's [house]. I remember playing soccer and Frisbee in the backyard with cousins and siblings and climbing the nut trees.
~Melissa Green~


Of course, I have many fond memories, many of which that have to do while working with him in the garden. He still loves his vegetable and flower garden and was delighted to have several of his grand kids over yesterday tending to his garden.
~Rand Rosenbaum~

The best is sitting in the basement watching BYU football with Grandpa. Grandma would watch too, in addition to doing other things. I learned at a young age the importance of BYU football from Grandpa, and this knowledge has carried throughout my life.
Spencer Rosenbaum


I remember many things about grandma and grandpa's home. I remember mowing the law and grandpa supervising, telling me the wheel of the lawn mower must be placed half way over the row I just finished mowing so all of the grass would cut evenly.

But as I look back at all of the memories, one particular day sticks out in my mind. Taft and I came to visit in February and we spent one Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa's house. This day made me so happy because my parents and all of my siblings were in the living room with grandma and grandpa. We caught up on the latest news and watched Kayla play. As I have grown older, those special moments of just enjoying grandpa's company have come to mean a lot to me. I am so grateful to be his granddaughter.

Love, Shauna Dorman