Sheldon Ira Rothberg, 81, a longtime resident of Sheffield, passed away peacefully Jan. 22, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. In 2015, he became a resident of Fairview Commons Nursing Home in Great Barrington
Sheldon was born Aug. 8, 1938, in Boston, the son of Morris and Helen Rothberg. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1962, where he returned to earn his master’s degree in 1967. He and his wife Linda moved to Pittsfield in 1970 with their two children, Adam and Jude. He married his second wife, Heidi, in 1982 and they lived with their daughter, Natana, in Sheffield.
Sheldon was professor of English and humanities at Berkshire Community College from 1970 to 2002, and founded and led Project Outreach Seniors beginning in 1978. He loved the poetry of Emily Dickinson, the plays of William Shakespeare, airplanes and teaching, and he was beloved by his students. His love for Judaism led him to serve for seven years as spiritual leader at Temple Ahavath Sholom in Great Barrington.
He is survived by his brother Warren; his ex-wives Linda and Heidi; and his children Natana and partner Ben, Adam and wife Lisa, and Jude and husband Rob.
The funeral will be held at Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, at 9 a.m. at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 15 North St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Sheldon I. Rothberg Memorial Fund c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To leave remembrances for the family, go to facebook.com/shelrothberg.
