Dr. Gerald Rosander

Dr. Gerald Arthur Rosander

September 14, 2022
Jerry Rosander, age 92, went home to be with the Lord on September 14, 2022. Jerry was born in
October 1929 – “the day the stock market crashed,” he would often say when mentioning his birth year.
He was raised in Kingsburg, California by loving parents, Richard and Alveda Rosander, and was
preceded in death by seven wonderful siblings – Alice, Carol, Doris, Irene, Mae, Norman and Winnie.
Jerry was proud of his Swedish ancestry and remained active in the Kingsburg community.

Later in life, he published guest columns in the Kingsburg Recorder, where he had been a sports reporter
at the young age of sixteen. Many of his guest columns reminisced about fond childhood memories,
including the hilarious antics engaged in by his infamous “Daredevil Club,” a club of grade-school
students for which he was the originator and ringleader. Jerry continued to help organize his high
school class reunions well into his 80’s and was honored to serve as Grand Marshal for Kingsburg’s 43rd
Annual Swedish Festival Parade in 2008.

The youngest of eight children, Jerry was the first of only two in his family to earn a Bachelor’s degree.
While a student at Reedley College, Jerry was named “King of the Campus” in 1950 and was an All-
Conference football player. He graduated from Fresno State in 1952 with a degree in Education and
then later earned a Doctorate from USC. He served locally and internationally as a teacher, professor
and administrator, both in private and public schools.

Over the course of his 50-year career in education, Jerry had been called an innovator, motivator and
role model. The breadth of his contributions across California education was wide. He served as
principal of five schools, superintendent of Fresno Unified School District, superintendent of San Diego
County Office of Education, dean of education at U.S. International University, and later came out of
retirement to serve as interim superintendent of Sanger Unified School District.

Jerry was responsible for major positive changes in the field of education, including desegregation and
integration, hiring women and minorities in leadership roles, developing leadership academies, and
changing the junior high schools from a departmental structure to curriculum core middle schools.
During their time at U.S. International University, Jerry and his wife, Kendra, established new Bachelor of
Arts and Master of Arts programs in London, Kenya, and in the Pacific Islands of Palau and Samoa.

The Rand Corporation recognized him as one of the “Innovative Change Agents in California.” He was
honored at the White House by President Ronald Reagan for the nationally recognized “Partnership in
Education Program” he developed while serving as superintendent of San Diego County Schools. He
appeared as a guest on Good Morning America and the Today Show. Jerry also served in the U.S. Navy
and retired as a Major after serving 23 years in the Air National Guard.

Jerry was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. In his free
time he was happiest golfing, working on writing or home improvement projects, and, especially,
gathering with family and friends. Jerry will always be remembered as “coach and mentor” to many, as
well as touting the achievements of others. He lived life on earth to its fullest, and we can imagine him
doing the same in Heaven. Thank you, God, for the life and love of Jerry Rosander! And Jerry, save us a
tee time in the not-too-distant future ��

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of fifty years, Kendra Rosander; his former wife, Sonje Rosander; his
children, Katy, Chris, Brett (Laura), Melissa, Seth (Shanti) and Kimberly, as well as ten grandchildren and
three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the Rosander family requests any donations be made in the name of Gerald Rosander
to Alzheimer’s San Diego – Team Quest for the Cure.
https://alzsd.org/tag/quest-for-the-cure/