November 30, 2007

The AIDS World Loses a Friend

Bobby Rosenthal died peacefully in his sleep after a 20-year struggle with AIDS. Bobby worked for Mobilization Against AIDS in San Francisco in the ’90s and helped to organize AIDS Dance-a-thons. He and his mother, Suzanne, were a dynamic team at AIDSWatch and at other events involving lobbying for AIDS activism on Capitol Hill. It was his goal to show another face of AIDS to lawmakers. Bobby, who contracted HIV in 1987, had a wonderful sense of humor, a deep love of children and animals, and was a tireless soldier in the battle against AIDS. He is the beloved son of Suzanne Benzer and Roy Rosenthal; cherished stepson of Bernard Benzer and Jacki Beck Rosenthal; brother of Jeffery Rosenthal, stepbrother of Eric Benzer, Sheryl, Paul and Gary Silverman. A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 2 at the the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center at 208 West 13 Street in New York, NY at 10:30 a.m. Donations in his name may be made to: Love Heals, 2 Fifth Avenue, #2Q, NY, NY 10011 or Treatment Action Group, 611 Broadway, #308, NY, NY 10012. To read more from those who knew Bobby well, or to post your own remembrance, visit legacy.com.

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Previous Comments:

eric benzer, baltimore, 2007-12-26 16:01:12
i couldn't have had a better brother...or hero.

raymondhilerio, nyc, 2007-12-04 23:23:09
His strugle is over. Mine continues, hopefully one day I too will lay down and not wake up.

David, Pensacola, FL, 2007-12-04 22:04:36
Bobby Rosenthal made a difference in his life, and the life of many others. Imagine what this world would be like if we had more heroes like him. I've been poz for 17 years and have lost two lovers to AIDS. Along the way I have been blessed to have volunteered with other great poz heroes just like Bobby who tried to make a difference. Don't mourn Bobby's death but celebrate his life in the unique and wonderful man he was among us.

evette, , 2007-12-04 15:50:02
RIP Bobby...Thank you for all you've done.. You will live on in our hearts.

Rick Guzman, Pasadena, TX., 2007-12-04 09:33:38
I lost my best friend Ervey(Harvey) Hill back in July 2007 he passed away in San Angelo, Texas family lives in El Dorado, Tx. and I will miss him so much, God be with him always, and I know he has save a place for me by his side, when I get there.. Thanks, Rick in Houston, Tx.

Rick Guzman, Pasadena,TX., 2007-12-04 09:30:40
I have been living with HIV for 22 years since 1985, and I have lived a wonderful life with my partner of 8 years, I will let you know it was a struggle at times, But I'am blessed that take care of myself, and have never abused drugs or alcohol, and I believe that my faith and the support of my famliy has kept me healthy all these years.. and every day I Thank God.. Rick in Texas

Derrick R,, Washington, DC, 2007-12-02 18:17:01
May Bobby rest in peace and know that he'll never be forgotten.