ALBANY - John "Jack" Rosenbach, 94, passed away on November 8, 2022. Jack was born in Buffalo on September 6, 1928 to Walter John and Elvera Rosenbach (nee Jonson).
He is survived by his wife, Joanne Powers, his four children, Susan Overbaugh, Sarah Elliott Drobnack, John Stephen (Lynn) and Wendy Rosenbach (Karl Berger); step children, Peggy Kump, Judy Kump, and Catherine Hayner (Charles); grandchildren Sean Drobnack (Erin), Samantha Burgett (Joseph), John Scott Rosenbach, Anne Lily Kump, Jason Dincauze (Mollie Israel), Danielle Dincauze, and great grandchildren Sophia Drobnack, Gavin Drobnack, Leo Darvin, Harper Dincauze, and Rose Dincauze and several nieces and nephews. Jack was predeceased by his first wife of 44 years, Nan Elliott Rosenbach, his sister Carole Rosenbach Kayne and his grandson, Dylan Drobnack.
Jack started playing the trumpet at the age of 4, starting his own band, Jack Bach and the Collegiate Yankees at the age of 14, playing summer gigs in Canada and Friday night church dances in the Buffalo area. He attended college at the University of Buffalo studying Educational Psychology and earning his Masters and PhD. Jack enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War and achieved the rank of Corporal. He was asked by SUNY Albany in the early 60's to create a brand new program in Educational Psychology. He was integral in the awarding of the first Doctoral Degree in the field at SUNYA. Jack retired in the mid 90's after more than 40 years in the Department having received SUNY Chancellor's Award in Excellence in Teaching. In retirement he taught at Russell Sage and The College of Saint Rose. After retiring Jack returned to his first love, music, played in several local swing and jazz bands. Jack and Joanne also enjoyed traveling through Europe and he took great pleasure in traveling to Cuba with Joanne. He enjoyed politics, golfing, spending time with his family and writing letters to the Times Union.
A visitation celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie, NY.
We would especially like to thank Brianna Alston, Kathy Hultzsch, Community Care Hospice, the Guilderland Ems for their unstinting aide at the end of Jack's life.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Jack's memory to Peace Love Dawgs Rescue, peacelovedawgs.com or Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, weareplannedparenthood.org.