SYRACUSE – Alan W. Rothschild, 79, died Feb. 17. 2021, in Syracuse. Alan was a business leader, inventor, collector, author, craftsman and philanthropist. He died following a fierce battle with COVID-19. He was a true Renaissance man.
Alan was born on Dec. 12, 1941, the youngest of three sons born to Gustave and Rose (Wellin) Rothschild. He graduated from Nottingham High School in 1959 and Union University, Albany College of Pharmacy in 1965. After working in the family pharmacy for several years, Alan established medical supply and home health care businesses. He then developed several real estate projects, including Madison Irving Medical Center in Syracuse, Central New York’s first condominium medical office building. Alan also worked to help establish the East Genesee Regent Association (EGRA) to encourage the redevelopment of the University Hill area, and was president of the EGRA for nearly 30 years. In addition, he served as a member of the board of directors of several non-profit agencies, including the University Hill Corporation, the Rescue Mission Advisory Board and Syracuse Stage. Alan also served as the secretary of the Upstate Medical University Foundation.
Throughout his life, Alan was also a collector of artifacts that were significant to business and industry. He was a collector of antique cars. He collected apothecary artifacts, patent medicines and related items in order to create a reproduction of a complete 1900s apothecary shop, which he donated to the Milton J Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in 1989. In 1998, Alan created the Rothschild-Petersen Patent Model Museum at his home in Cazenovia. The museum housed the largest privately-owned collection of United States patent models in the world, containing 4,000 patent models and related documents. Models from the collection were on display at Euro Disney in Paris, The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and in a traveling exhibit that visited museums throughout the United States. In 2015, Alan and his wife Ann authored the book Inventing a Better Mousetrap: 200 Years of American History in the Amazing World of Patent Models. The patent model collection is currently part of the world-renowned Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware.
Combining his love of automobiles and technology, Alan was also the co-inventor of two U.S. patents for an intelligent label and a motor vehicle inspection sticker. Most recently, Alan developed his expertise in woodworking, creating fine writing instruments from exotic woods that he shared as gifts and were sold in local stores. He especially enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren, Thomas and M.J., who knew him as “Gampsy.”
Alan and his family were long-time benefactors of many Syracuse area organizations including the Rothschild Early Childhood Center at Temple Adath Yeshurun, Rothschild Adult Day Services at Menorah Park, and the Rothschild Endowment in Family Medicine at Upstate Medical University.
Alan was predeceased by his parents and brother, Lee Rothschild. He is survived by his wife Ann (Silverman) Rothschild; son David (Marissa) Rothschild; grandchildren Thomas and MJ Rothschild; brother, Gerald (Carol) Rothschild; sister-in-law, Marcia Rothschild, brother-in-law David (Lisa) Silverman; and several nieces and nephews. Alan also leaves behind countless lifelong and newly made friends, business associates, museum folks, and fishing buddies.
Alan was a member of Temple Adath Yeshurun and will be buried at Temple Adath Yeshurun cemetery in a private ceremony. The service may be viewed on the Sisskind Funeral Service Facebook page beginning at 10:55 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21
Contributions in Alan’s memory may be made to Upstate Medical University Foundation (upstatefoundation.org), Rothschild Early Childhood Center (rothschildearlychildhoodcenter.org) or to the charity of your choice.
