Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine
1945 - 2004
Passed by the IUPUI Faculty Council at their meeting on September 6, 2005.
Dr. Raoul (Randy) S. Rosenthal died on April 29th, 2004, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was born in Dallas, Texas, on October 13th, 1945, to Beryl Ann (Norman) and Dr. Raoul Simon Rosenthal, Sr. In 1967 he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and his interest in science led him to North Texas State University where he received a Master’s degree in 1969 and a PhD in biology in 1972. His doctoral dissertation, written under the tutelage of Gerard Vela, was concerned with the nutritional control of bacterial morphology and cell wall structure.
Randy continued his training in the laboratory of Dr. Gerald Schockman at Temple University School of Medicine from 1972 to 1974. His major project investigated the synthesis of soluble peptidoglycan and other cell wall components by protoplasts of Streptococcus faecium. An NIH Post-doctoral Fellowship with Dr. William Sawyer at Indiana University School of Medicine followed from 1974 to 1976. His major research project examined the molecular basis of antiphagocytic activity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. He then accepted a position at IUSM in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, where he rose through the ranks to become a full Professor in 1986. Throughout the rest of his career his major research emphasis was concerned with the pathobiology of gonococcal infections with an emphasis on the chemical and biological properties of gonococcal peptidoglycan.
Randy was committed to, and achieved, academic excellence and was internationally known for his uniformly well-designed and executed, thoughtfully prepared, and cautiously interpreted laboratory experiments. He was regularly invited to present major addresses on his comprehensive program on gonococcal peptidoglycan at international meetings and traveled to Hemavan (Sweden), Montreal, Berlin, Asilomar, Munich, Noordwijkerhout (Netherlands), Vancouver, and many cities in the US. His seminars occasionally opened with a slide of a quote made by a “famous professor” in the 1970s which said that “Peptidoglycan is an inert mass of stuff with no biological activity”. He would then state that his career was dedicated to disproving this notion. He succeeded, as evidenced by his long-term productivity (his scientific accomplishments in peptidoglycan biology were published in over 45 peer-reviewed journal articles) and his sought after services in the peer-review process (NIAID study section, Infection and Immunity editorial board, and multiple invitations to serve as an external referee, reviewer and examiner).
Randy was a faithful man – faithful to his family, to his friends, and to the work that he loved. Faithful first to his family – his loving wife Sherry, his adored children Matt and Stacie, and his beloved sister Gayle. Every coffee or lunch shared with friends started with stories of his children of whom he was so proud! His office walls were covered with their drawings, poems, and other messages – going back to when they were tiny. Stacie, his Princess, his golden girl, with the intelligence, courage and grace to accomplish whatever her heart desired, to survive every challenge, even grief. And Matt, whom Randy respected as well as loved, for his insight, empathy, and kindness. During lunch with friends family news always took priority, but over the years there was not much that wasn’t explored – teaching, learning, doctoring, marriage, loss, religion, opera, sports, food - in short, “life”, in which he was both enthusiastic participant and keen observer. Conversation with Randy involved intense connection - the interest, integrity and energy he brought to his work and his sports he also brought to the people blessed to be his friends.
Randy also was faithful to the work he loved – the science and the teaching, the students and colleagues who nurtured the work and deepened its meaning. Randy’s power as a teacher is legendary, due first to his exceptional organization, his extraordinary knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, but due also to his unique delivery style. In short – he connected with the students, and he was frequently hilarious. A generation of medical students will remember his lessons about salmonella poisoning at a July 4 picnic – his dead-pan description of lines of cars pulling off the interstate at predictable intervals as the food poisoning struck. Or his phrase “ring around the tush” – a related outcome. He was completely serious and worked very hard to prepare the best lectures he could, but the delivery was relaxed and approachable. He deeply respected his students, their intelligence and their efforts, and his students respected and loved him, and honored him with many awards.
Randy especially valued the side-by-side teaching of students at the laboratory bench. He took great delight in making them see the simple beauty of a properly designed experiment and a well-isolated variable. He was the mentor of 4 PhD graduates, 2 MS graduates, and trained over a dozen medical students in an academic medicine program. His commitment to mentoring extended into the community – for many years he was a consultant and judge for the Indiana High School Lung Association Research Program and he served as a faculty sponsor and advisor for high school students participating in Project Seed.
He had broad interests outside of his professional and family life. He was an avid lover of classical music and competitive sports, especially golf, tennis, and hockey. As a competitor, he would play hard and would always provide a wry commentary describing his and your performance that could only make you laugh. Dr. “Fourputt”, a nickname earned on the golf course, founded an adult hockey league in Indianapolis. He called the league “BUNS on Ice”, the acronym meaning Beginners Using No Skills, which had hundreds of participants over the past decade. It has been suggested, somewhat seriously, that BUNS on Ice saved many from their mid-life crises. He was very active in the Indy Youth Hockey Foundation. His funeral was attended by several hundred people from all walks of life, who all felt that Randy had touched them in a personal way. His loss was deeply felt throughout Indianapolis.
Even though he spent most of his adult life in the Mid-West, he was proud of his Texas heritage and had a traditional welcoming greeting of “Howdy”. We will always remember Randy for his warm personality, great sense of humor, personal honesty, and love of life. He will be missed, but remembering him will always evoke a smile.
Be it resolved that this memorial resolution be presented to the Faculty Council of Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, and that copies be sent to his wife Sherry, his son Matt, his daughter Stacie and his sister Gayle.
Submitted by Richard Haak, with contributions by Stan Spinola and Meg Gaffney.