Gerald Rosensteel's Obituary
On February 24th, 2025, Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Rosensteel passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the medical center in Easton, Maryland. He was 86.
Born to William and Alice Rosensteel in Baltimore, Maryland, Jerry was an avid storyteller, entertaining friends and family, volunteering in hospitals and nursing homes, and passing along his love of the sea, including fishing and crabbing, to his children and grandchildren.
Jerry served his nation honorably as a member of the U.S. Navy, including tours on both the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) and U.S.S. Oriskany (CV-34). While on the Oriskany, Jerry served as an Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics) Airman (AMHAN) in Air Group Fourteen as a part of heavy squadron four (VAH-4), helping to maintain the airwing’s Douglas A3D Skywarrior aircraft.
In 1963, Jerry began his 37-year career with Baltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E), where he retired as a supervisor for the Instrument Technician Group located at Spring Gardens. Throughout his career, Jerry’s team serviced critical steam and natural gas equipment throughout Baltimore, including most of the city gate stations, and some of the now famous landmarks, including the Pratt Street Power Plant in the Inner Harbor. He was one of the final employees to work in one of the old carbureted water gas manufacturing buildings before the adoption of liquified natural gas (LNG) as is used today.
While at BG&E, Jerry met his loving wife of nearly 40 years, Betty Jean Rosensteel (nee White) in 1985.
His involvement with BG&E extended beyond his years of service and day-to-day responsibilities. Jerry was an accomplished bowler in the company’s duckpin bowling team, served as president of the Baltimore Gas & Electric Association (BG&EA), and participating in the BG&E retiree golf league. Jerry’s status as a former president of the BG&EA earned him the title of Groundhog, where he and other former presidents gathered once a year on Groundhog’s Day to share stories and meals.
Jerry was also an active volunteer in his community. Early in life, he gained a love of singing from participating in chorus at Milford Mill High School, which he later used when he and Betty were members of the “Notables”, a group of volunteers who entertained at nursing homes and other care facilities, where he was also found “banging up his guitar” singing oldies and classic tunes.
Those who knew Jerry knew his love of golf. He shared this love with Betty, and in return picked up her love of skiing. Together they both explored and developed a deep passion for traveling around the world. During his lifetime, Jerry visited every continent in the Northern Hemisphere, and more than 35 countries, with some of his favorites being Japan, Scotland, Canada, and Iceland. Additionally, he would recommend everyone visit one of his favorite places in the world, Alaska.
He and his wife were frequent patrons of the Maryland Renaissance Festival (RenFest), where they often wore many themed costumes, with Jerry often found donning one of his kilts. Arguably, his favorite performances were that from the American Celtic band The Rogues, and was happy to be considered a groupie, or Roguie as they are more affectionately known.
Among Jerry’s interests was a deep passion for the sea. This passion began early in childhood with tales of many a ferry ride across the Chesapeake Bay with his father, and fishing with the legendary Captain Larrimore from Tillman’s Island prior to the building of either span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This love for the sea and the Bay was something Jerry passed along to his children and grandchildren, teaching them the joys of fishing and crabbing while camping at Shad Landing. Oddly, his love for water skiing was not passed along to anyone.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Phillip Rosensteel, and two children, Susan and Ronald Rosensteel
Jerry is survived by his adoring family and friends, including his wife, Betty Rosensteel; son, Paul Rosensteel (wife Tina); daughter-in-law, Jeanette Rosensteel; niece, Leigh Ann Callaway; nephew, Phillip Rosensteel Jr.; two grandchildren, Jennifer Hoffman (husband Thaddeus) and Bryan Rosensteel (wife Christine); and three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Ronald “RJ” Hoffman and William Rosensteel. Additionally, he is survived by his final boat, now rechristened as Grandpop’s Skiff.
What’s your fondest memory of Gerald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gerald?
Share a story where Gerald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gerald you’ll never forget.
How did Gerald make you smile?