Pillar of local, base community passes away at 97

Published June 23, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Michael Longoria
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Whether enlisted or officer, Airmen move every few years to new offices and new locations. With joint basing as well as base realignment and closure, those locations are invariably changing too.

For example, Grand Forks Air Force Base has seen numerous transformations to the wing over the years. Most recently saying goodbye to one mission and welcoming another.

It is safe to say the only constant in the Air Force is change. However, there are certain things Airmen can count on. For the Warriors of the North, the one thing they have been able to depend on since the late 1960s was the support of Harriet Rothkopf.

"Mrs. Rothkopf's passion and commitment were a big part of why she was selected as an ambassador to Grand Forks Air Force Base," said Col. Scott Rizer, 319th Air Base Wing vice-commander. "However, it was her wit and good cheer that will be fondly remembered by the countless airmen and base leaders she supported over the years."

Harriet, 97, of Grand Forks, N.D., passed away June 17, 2011, in St. Louis Park, Minn.

Harriet Hoberman was born on March 14, 1914, the daughter of Max W. and Fega (Bernstein) Hoberman in Chisholm, Minn. After graduating from Chisholm High School and Hibbing Junior College, Hibbing, Minn., she worked for what is now the U.S. Treasury Department in St. Paul, Minn., and Washington, D.C. She later was employed in the family-owned appliance business in Hibbing, and Seeger's and Eileen's in Grand Forks.

For many years she was an active member of Haddasah, serving as president of the Grand Forks chapter. Her interest in current affairs lead to membership in The League of Women Voters. She was an avid bridge player during her years in Hibbing and earned master points in a number of tournaments.

Shortly after moving to Grand Forks in 1967, she and husband, Maury, became active participants in the Air Force Association. They were honored and proud to be named the first ambassadors to Grand Forks Air Force Base.

She is survived by "the light of her life" daughter, Sheila, and "her best son-in-law", Roger Stageberg; grandsons, Brad (Leslie) and Ryan Stageberg; great-grandchildren, Ben, Casey and Jessica; brothers, Gene (Shirley) and Ben (Jackie) Hoberman; her dear nieces and nephews and treasured friends.

Harriet was preceded in death by husbands, Bernard Dorfman and Maurice Rothkopf; brother, Robert Hoberman and sister, Jeanette Kushel.

Harriet's funeral service was held June 21, 2011, at B'nai Israel Synagogue in Grand Forks.

(Editor's note: Harriet's obituary was pulled from the Grand Forks Herald)

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