Bern Rotman

Bernard Rotman passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Anna and Morris Rotman. Bern attended Marshall High School, after which he served for nearly two years in Germany as part of the Army Signal Corps. After his military service, Bern attended the University of Missouri Columbia, where he met his future wife, Elaine Chazanow. Upon graduation, the couple moved to New Orleans, where Bern began his career as a broadcast journalist for WDSU. During his time in New Orleans, he reported on numerous hurricanes and covered the civil rights movement. It was also in New Orleans that Bern and Elaine adopted their two daughters, Renee and Lauri. Bern’s career in journalism advanced as he became News Director at KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later at WBEN in Buffalo, New York. The family eventually settled in Niskayuna, New York, where Bern transitioned to Public Relations at SUNY Albany. He later served as Director of Communication for the New York State Department of Commerce, where he played a key role in launching the “I Love NY” campaign. Throughout his life, Bern enjoyed sports, particularly tennis, and embraced a wide variety of experiences. He and Elaine shared a love of travel and explored the world together. Bern especially loved to photograph wildlife. Bern was predeceased by his parents, Anna and Morris Rotman; his siblings, Jack (Ruth), Rochelle, and Sidney; his wife, Elaine Rotman; as well as sister-in-law Barbara Rabovsky (Marshall). He is survived by his daughters, Renee Rotman (Jan Morgan) and Lauri Koen (Brian Koen), his grandchildren, Charli and Max Koen, his sister-in-law Genie Hayner (John), numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Bern had an amazing life. He is on to the one place left on his travel list. Family is mourning privately.

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