Eric Rosenau

It is with sadness that we mark Eric’s passing. My exposure was limited to exchanges at MODOC tours, but I was aware that his contributions to the Society were noteworthy. Ave atque vale!

Several of us having been searching for a print media obituary without success since receiving the sad news.

In the meantime, please post your personal recollections of Eric in this thread.

Eric was the PAS Chief Judge for many years, a pre-eminent restorer of Pierce-Arrows and other extraordinarily fine vehicles, and the current consummate authority on P-A authenticity issues and mechanical techniques. He was a frequent contributor to Service Bulletins over many years. He gave freely of his time to consult with many of us on mechanical and authenticity issues. He was among the first to stop and help when one of us broke down on tour. Eric was a wonderful human being and a superb resource to all members of the PAS.

We send our deepest condolences to his family, and the message that we will always fondly and gratefully remember his superb contributions of the world of Pierce-Arrow and to the Pierce-Arrow Society.

I am very sorry to hear of Eric’s passing.

He was a great contributor to the PAS and, as others have mentioned, he was an invaluable resource for all things Pierce Arrow.

My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to his family.

Eric was a man for all seasons. Many talented, always helpful, always a gentleman. Without doubt the most deserving recipient ever of the Klausmyer award, his decades of experience with Pierce-Arrows and the kind spirit with which he shared it were equally legendary. Our most sincere sympathy to the family.

All of us are certainly much the better for Eric having passed our way.

I would like to add my deepest condolences to all the family and agree with all the good that has been said about his knowledge and integrity. and add a fond memory about a gathering at his home at the end of a tour over twenty years ago when we ate home made ice cream made with an ice cream maker powered by an antique stationary engine, WHAT FUN WE ALL HAD !!

We miss you Eric

Jim

When I was a college student in Orange, California in 1958, I worked part-time at the local J.C. Penney store on Glassell Street. One Saturday, Eric Rosenau parked his 1929 Pierce-Arrow roadster in front of the store. I rushed outside to speak with him. He was very friendly and spoke with me about the Pierce-Arrow fame and quality. I told him about my 1930 Pierce-Arrow and the fact that I knew practically nothing about the make. He invited me to go with him to a car show in Long Beach the next day. I accepted his invitation and met him the next day. We rode in his 1920 Pierce-Arrow touring to the show. It was the first car show I had ever attended. Over the years, I kept in touch with Eric and was indebted to him for all the information and help he rendered to me with the various Pierce-Arrows I’ve owned over the years. When I served the Southern California Region as its editor and Director, I enlisted Eric to write a quarterly column about various technical aspects of Pierce-Arrows. It was one of the features members enjoyed the most. Eric was one of the great men in the old car hobby and one who will be missed very much. We are indebted in the PAS to his contributions which will continue for years to come.

It is over a year since Eric Rosenau’s passing. From that moment I have tried to find this photo. Today I had luck. It is from 1990 and I had just installed the engine in the chassis and fired it up for the first time since the Pierce was a wreck. There was something that did not work satisfactory. Accidentally at the same time Eric Rosenau was visiting Norway and Oslo and called me to have a look at my project. He at once found a wrong adjustment in the choke system…! After that the Pierce engine was running smothly.