Daniel Rothstein Ph.D. (1924-2011)

It is with great sadness that the C. G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles reports the passing of Daniel Rothstein, Ph.D. on May 25, 2011, at the age of 87. Dan was a deeply loved member of the Los Angeles Jungian community. He was known for his big heart, his keen intellectual interests, and his dedication to Jungian work. Dan received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver, and was subsequently certified as a Jungian analyst in 1977. He was active on many committees in the course of his years at the Institute, and was highly respected as a profoundly knowledgeable teacher of Jung’s works. He remained an active supervisor and analyst until the very end, and was consistently seen as a healer with a gifted capacity for unqualified, heartfelt acceptance and support. In both personal and professional relationships, Dan was an inherently ethical man, always taking responsibility, with openhearted honesty, for his own shortcomings. Among his many intellectual interests, most notable was his interest in Jewish history, and Jewish-Christian relations. At the time of his death he was in the process of editing his book which, using Jung’s ideas as the backdrop, examines the antipathy between Christian and Jew and searches for ways to ameliorate that animosity. Dan served as a very dedicated member of the editorial board of Psychological Perspectives for almost twenty years, reliably bringing his thoughtful approach and his well-read background to the table, contributing greatly to the liveliness of our discussions.

Dan’s simple and conscious last days are characteristic of how he lived his life. Maintaining his keen intellectual curiosity, he studied von Franz’s research on dreams and death, and engaged in many deep and moving discussions with friends and loved ones. Near the end he dreamed of preparing new garments, and leaving behind old ones. He died peacefully in his home. Dan will be lovingly missed.

Charles Zeltzer, Ph.D.