Obituary of Bert Rosecan

We are deeply saddened to announce that Albert “Bert” Rosecan, 84, a longtime resident of McLean, VA passed away at his home surrounded by family on February 20, 2022. Bert was born on June 17, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri to attorney parents Mortimer Rosecan and Alice Rosecan (Sharpe) and raised in Chicago and St. Louis. He graduated from Clayton High School, studied business at Washington University in St. Louis, then taught academics in the Army until his honorable discharge in 1963. Determined to forge his own path, Bert pursued a career in technology sales and management and moved to Washington, DC where he initially found success working at Xerox. Bert met Linda, the love of his life, at Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown, and they eventually married in 1967. Together they raised three children in Fairfax (Mantua) and McLean.

Bert recognized a gap in the federal market for cost-effective mainframe peripherals that could compete with IBM’s solutions, which dominated the marketplace; as a result, a partnership with Documation, a high-performance printer manufacturer, jumpstarted business for SMS Data Products Group, Inc., the company Bert founded in 1976. SMS would go on to support the Department of Defense on numerous information technology initiatives over the ensuing decades, including a landmark contract to supply the Army with its first large scale desktop computer deployment in the 1980’s, as well as essential support for the redesign and engineering of the Pentagon’s communications network following the attacks of 9/11. As CEO for 45 years, Bert was a force, providing a unique blend of creative vision and a sincere, personal approach to his employees, partners and customers. SMS continues to be a destination for top engineering talent under the leadership of Bert’s son, Matthew.

Bert will be remembered for his generous spirit which impacted so many, his sense of humor, enthusiasm and his “clubby” style. He always had a joke or a story to tell and cherished adventures with family and friends. Bert was a baseball fanatic (Cardinals and Nationals), car aficionado, avid cigar collector, photographer and golfer for many years. He had special interests in the arts and travel and loved London in particular.

Bert is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda; his three children, Stephen (Mina) Rosecan, Stacy Rosecan (Mark Hagen) and Matthew Rosecan; eight adored grandchildren, Emilie, Alice and Michael Rosecan, Lucy, Finn and Kai Hagen and Ava and Will Rosecan; two siblings, Miriam (Sandy) Shapiro and William “Bill” Rosecan; and nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends. Bert was one of a kind and will be dearly missed.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1315 36th St NW, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with a Funeral Liturgy following at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial donations in Bert’s name may be made to the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area online at pfnca.parkinsonfoundation.org or by phone at 310-844-6510 or to Camphill Village, a community for adults with disabilities, Camphill Village, 84 Camp Hill Rd, Copake, NY 12516.

For online condolences, please visit www.adventfuneral.com