Joel Rosenbaum '01
November 15, 2016 8:31 AM
updated: November 15, 2016 8:33 AM
Published in (Neptune Township NJ) Asbury Park Press on Nov. 15, 2016
Joel Rosenbaum(1945 - 2016)
Joel Rosenbaum
AGE: 72 • Eatontown
Joel Rosenbaum, 72, of Eatontown passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey having lived in Linden and Asbury Park before moving to Eatontown 25 years ago. Joel served in the
US Armed Forces from 1966 to 1970. He held the rank of Captain serving as Chief Forecaster of the USAF in the 14th Detachment, 26 Weather Squad in Cam Rohm Bay, Vietnam. He received excellent reviews from his commanders and was honorably discharged awarded
the National Distinguished Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal and the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal. He worked at Bayshore Community Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist Supervisor and held an accredited membership to the National Board for Respiratory
Care. He held undergraduate degrees from Rutgers and Texas A & M Universities.
Joel was interested in railroads and railroad history obtaining his first formal recognition as a boy scout earning a "Railroading Badge." Growing up in Linden close to the Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line, train studying and watching was a daily occurrence.
He later commuted locally and long distance by train often. In his early 20's, he began corresponding with railroad companies by US Mail asking for historical or detailed information. He received replies that included pictures and timetables which became the
beginning of a life time collection. Joel's father worked for the US Postal System and in his early years worked on board trains as part of the Railway Mail Service contracts. Joel's interest lead to writing hundreds of published short articles about varies
aspects of railroad history, most of which were named trains and special services and were not limited to New Jersey, although this was his favorite area. Throughout his life, he co-authored ten books about railroads and recently was still co-producing monthly
articles. He was a member of the National Railway Historical Society, the Jersey Central Railway Historical Society and several others. His respect for all those who served in the military and his deep interests in railroads were combined recently for the
National Railway and Locomotive Society, of which Joel was a member. The article details how the Central Railroad of New Jersey dedicated new diesel locomotives to their employees who died in combat during World War II by placing a bronze plaque on a locomotive
with the name and title of the deceased as family members attended the ceremony. It was printed in time for Veteran's Day this year pleasing him immensely. Joel always took time to respond to anyone who requested information he might have in his collection
or know where to find it. He communicated and met with officials as the railroad transportation services in New Jersey changed over the decades, offering suggestions and providing historical background. He received many letters of appreciation in return.
Joel is predeceased by his father, Herman Rosenbaum, and mother, Mae Zall of Jersey City and Goldie, his loving retriever. He is survived by his sister, Sara Rosenbaum, his former wife Dona L. Brown of Pennsylvania, two step daughters, Christine and Lauren
Scott of New Jersey and his friends of 41 years Tom and Lona Joyce Gallo of Keyport. Interment is private.
Funeral Home
Braun Funeral Home
106 Broad St Eatontown, NJ 07724
(732) 542-0383