Lt. Col. Edward "Rosy" Price Rosenthal, USAF (Ret)
November 7, 1947 ~ July 9, 2025
Born in:
Taylor, TX
Resided in:
New Braunfels, TX
Lt. Col Edward “Rosy” Rosenthal, USAF (Ret.), of New Braunfels, passed away at his
residence Wednesday evening, July 9, 2025 at the age of 77. Lt. Col. Rosenthal was born on
November 7, 1947 in Taylor, Texas to the late Herman Rosenthal and Ruth Price Rosenthal.
A retired U.S. Air Force pilot as well as a pilot for Southwest Airlines, Lt. Col. Rosenthal’s life
was marked by a love of flying and of service to his country. In his 28 years of dedicated Air
Force service, Lt. Col. Rosenthal flew combat missions around the world, including in Iraq
and Afghanistan. He was particularly proud of his role flying F-16 air fighter missions. Upon
his retirement from the Air Force, he served as a commercial pilot for Southwest Airlines for
an additional 15 years. He subsequently trained Afghan Air Force pilots another six years.
Lt. Col. Rosenthal was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Ruth Rosenthal,
and by his brother, Bob Rosenthal. Survivors include his loving wife of 23-years, Yerma
Rosenthal; children Tara Hodges (husband Woodland) and Erica Seamans (husband Mark);
step-daughter Krystle Muras; grandchildren Caroline Hodges, Greyson Hodges, and
Madison Seamans; nephew Paul Rosenthal (wife Jessica) and nephew Dr. Mark Rosenthal (wife Pamela).
Also left to cherish Lt. Col. Rosenthal’s memory are numerous pilot friends from
Southwest Airlines, as well as much-loved neighbors who often gathered in his home for
his famed poker parties. Lt. Col. Rosenthal was never happier than when he was in the sky
piloting an airplane (or eating Texas barbecue!). His friends and family will look upward to
honor him as he now makes his final flight to the heavens.
A time to visit with the family will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on July 28, 2025
at the Lux Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service there will follow at 12:00 PM. The funeral
procession will depart at 1:00 PM sharply from the funeral home for a 1:45 PM arrival at Fort
Sam Houston National Cemetery, where full military honors will be rendered.
Services
Family Gathering: Monday, July 28, 2025 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Room: Chapel
Lux Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1254 Business 35 N.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-624-0500
https://www.luxfhcares.com/
Service: Monday, July 28, 2025 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Room: Chapel
Lux Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1254 Business 35 N.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-624-0500
https://www.luxfhcares.com/
Graveside: Monday, July 28, 2025 1:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78209
210.820.3891
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Rosy had a distinguished, decorated career in the USAF, and served two “tours” with SWA, having first retired (mandatory) at age 60, then signing back up as a First Officer again when the airline pilot retirement age went from 60 to 65.
He kept fastidious notes about every pilot and person he met, including the names of their families, and would ask about them each time he saw them.
He was a staple at our monthly Southwest Retired Pilot luncheons. Our sizable crowd enjoyed lunch with him just last week, on July 1. Rosy always made sure we got a group photo.
Rosy would give a stranger the shirt off his back, buy him a beer, and invite him to his regular poker games, making another friend for life.
Please say a prayer for his family and his wife, Yerma.
Here’s a nickel on the grass and a beer held high for my dear friend.
We will miss you.
Dear Kenneth,
You don’t know me but may I add, from here in England, that Ed very much enjoyed flying F1-11 s back in 1975-78 at RAF Upper Heyford here. I met him on a train out of Oxford because he stepped forward and carried my heavy suitcase for me. He was off to an air accident board and looked very handsome in his full uniform. After he left England, I visited him twice; in Clovis and then Albuquerque. He was certainly a character. I was just four years younger than him and he changed my life completely at that time and also now for reasons one might guess at. I enjoyed hearing about his Service and some of the mental trials he’d struggled with whilst serving. He was distressed at having to leave England and move on but he wrote to me and sent voice tape cassettes. For some reason, while I’ve forgotten much of my early life, I never forgot Ed. He talked a lot about his twin daughters. He was the first American I’d ever met. Life at Upper Heyford was also an absolute joy. Yes, he was all about poker, fifty years ago. I so wish I could have met him one more time. Hope you don’t mind my contributing. Thank you.
Our deepest Sympathy to you Yerma and to all of your and Ed’s Families! Our thoughts and prayers have and will be with you all during these difficult times. We are all grateful for Ed’s 28 years of Service in the United States Air Force serving our dear Country! May Ed’s Soul and all the Souls of our Faithful Departed, through the Mercy Of God Rest In Peace! Our hearts are all with you Yerma!!! Much Love and Prayers from all your Divine Mercy Cenacle Sisters!
I knew Ed Rosenthal when he was at RAF Upper Heyford in the 1970s. I’m English and enjoyed showing him around Oxfordshire, which he loved. I was fortunate enough to be invited by him to visit Clovis in 1979.
Of course, I had a very different view of him from his friends and workmates in the USA. We were young. But coming across his name now, nearly fifty years later, has made me very sad indeed. I always wondered what became of Ed and thought of him often. I suppose he introduced me to American society and I visited him at Upper Heyford often. This is very sad news because although I never saw him again after 1979, he never left my thoughts.
Monica.
Hereford