FACES & PLACES
THE ARTS JUNE 2006

Jack Rosen
by John Larsen

Editor's Note: I first met Jack when I did an interview on him a couple of years ago. I met up with him at Duck Soup, where he would hang out on Tuesday mornings with his buddies John Larsen and Joe Crilley (and others.) The thing I remember most is how much Jack DIDN'T say. (Perhaps that was a good thing for me, since most of what he DID say was not always complimentary.) I got most of my information form John and Joe. To this day, I am uncertain of how much of the information given me was true.

Many tributes have been offered about Jack Rosen, all of them have touched on some portion of his many accomplishments. But I am curious how a photographer becomes more than the photographs he has taken?

Jack was more than a music lover, intellectual, excellent photographer, editor of the New Hope Gazette - he was also a conscience to many people - including myself. It was the last of these qualities I found most enduring.

Jack was my friend and I will miss him - more importantly, New Hope will miss him. As we become more urbanized we need Jack Rosen to laugh at us, to encourage us, to be cynical when we need cynicism. His death has left a big void in our community - one that has to be filled.

Luckily, I am an optimist and I am taking applications for the job of new town conscience.

We miss you Jack.

Photo by John Larsen