Irvin Rothenberg

Irvin Rothenberg of Dover, DE passed away peacefully on April 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, PA. He was 63.

Irv was born September 26, 1954 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, son of the late Mary and William Rothenberg. He graduated from Emmaus High School in 1972 and West Chester State College in 1976 with a degree in Music Education. He began teaching elementary music in the Smyrna (DE) School District in 1976 where he served for 31 years. Countless students grew up crediting Mr. Rothenberg for instilling a lifelong love for music. Irv retired in 2007.

In the community sector, Irv performed in and was the Music Director for several local musicals for the Community Singers of Dover and the Smyrna Opera House.  He was also the Director of Music at Asbury United Methodist Church for thirty years and at Wyoming Methodist Church for several years. 

Irv had several original choral music compositions published that have been performed internationally, and several can still be seen on YouTube. His best known song is "Down, Down the Chimney," but all of his songs are sung by church choirs, school choruses, and community groups to this day. 

Irv’s greatest love was for his son Matthew. Matt is a 4th generation of gifted Rothenberg musicians and has worked in various professional theater companies in West Virginia, Maryland, and Florida, including at Walt Disney World Orlando. 

Irv is also survived by a sister Sara in Tombstone, AZ and a brother Michael in New Bern, NC.

Friends may gather from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at Pippin Funeral Home 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, DE. Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Irv's musical gifts and outstanding creative talents brought him into the lives of many people, but it was his kind, sincere heart that they’ll remember.  He will be dearly missed.

Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com

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