Marvin Rosengarten, beloved husband, father, grandfather and coach, passed away on August 16, 2025.
His parents, Leon and Ruth came to the US from Poland and Ukraine. He also had two brothers, Joe and Norman. The brothers were always very close.
In high school he played football at Soldan High School in St Louis, lettering 2 years. He also lettered 4 years in track.
He was a proud St. Louisan who served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He then returned to Southeast Missouri State University to finish his undergraduate education and play football. During and after college he competed in weightlifting championships all over the country. His favorite lift was the overhead press.
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He then coached high school football in Sikeston before moving to Yuma, where he won a high school boys football state championship. He also won a state track meet in Pheonix at Washington High School.
After a brief coaching hiatus to help run his father’s grocery store, he returned to his alma mater to coach football, track and later serve as the athletic director. He is still well known in Cape Girardeau for taking SEMO athletics from Division II to Division I. His tenure produced 100s of All Americans and he even has a building named in his honor on the Southeast campus.
After retirement he coached boys track and field at Marquette High School in St. Louis. The team enjoyed a run of success winning multiple conference and district championships and sending many athletes to the state track and field meet.
He is in the SEMO Hall of Fame, and Jewish Athletes Hall of Fame from the JCC.
Marvin is the beloved husband for 51 years of Marlene Rosengarten; dear father and father-in-law of Mark Steven Seigel and Gary Alan Seigel (Corrine); adored grandfather of Jack, Eli, Molly, Ella, and Abigail Seigel; dear brother and brother-in-law of the late Joseph Rosengarten (Marilyn), the late Norman Rosengarten, the late JoAnn Gershman, Helene Hall (Phil), and Vickie Moskowitz; blessed with his extended family, Ilene Osherow and family, and Linda and Jerry (deceased) Vesper and family.
Marvin will be remembered as someone who always did the right thing. He would shake hands and work with anyone. His athletes found great success because of his strong belief in them and his family will miss him dearly.
Funeral Service Wednesday, August 20 at 10:30 AM at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Boulevard. Interment follows at United Hebrew Cemetery, 7855 Canton Avenue. Memorial contributions preferred to Congregation B’nai Amoona, Southeast Missouri State University, the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, and the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for live stream and other information.
