Obituary of Barnett Ian Rosenfield

Barnett (Bud) Ian Rosenfield, a father, husband, brother, attorney, and advocate passed away suddenly from a heart attack on July 8, 2023, at 57 years old. He is survived by his wife Barbara Fipp, children Hannah Fipp-Rosenfield and Jace Fipp-Rosenfield, brothers Keith (Helaine Winzelberg) Rosenfield and Paul Rosenfield, sisters Cathy (Nicholas Ruocco, Jr) Rosenfield, Mary Lynne (Jack) Cronin and Rikkie (Sandra Cornwell) Rosenfield as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lorraine Lenore (Johnson) Rosenfield, his father, Jace Louis Rosenfield, and his aunt, Bonnie Jean Johnson.

Bud was thoughtful, compassionate, and whip smart. He attended the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), where he met Barbara, and graduated class of 1987. They then moved to Minnesota, where Bud attended the University of Minnesota Law School, and graduated class of 1990. Following his law school graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Harriet Lansing, then served as the staff coordinator for the state’s Special District Apportionment Panel. Early in his career, Bud represented individuals in private practice in employment law and civil rights cases. Yet Bud’s passion really grew through his work advocating for people with disabilities. For almost 25 years, Bud worked at the Minnesota Disability Law Center, first as an attorney and then as a supervising attorney.

In 2021, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan appointed Bud as the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (OMHDD). In announcing the appointment, Governor Walz said, “I am honored to appoint Bud Rosenfield as the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. Mr. Rosenfield is a dedicated public servant with a proven track record as a passionate advocate for justice. I am confident that he will use his knowledge, experience, and role to create a more just, inclusive, and equitable Minnesota.”

The scope of Bud’s tireless work for the disability community was vast. Over the course of his career, he served on numerous state and national committees and working groups, genuinely leaning in to tackle huge social and political issues. He received numerous awards for his work and advocacy but valued equally the cards and letters he received from individuals and families he had helped.

He was a sports FANATIC, always cheering for the Red Sox, Twins, Saints, Vikings, and Celtics. While some might think watching the Red Sox end the curse of the Bambino in 2004 was his favorite sports moment, it truly was watching his children play. He loved cheering on his kids as they played for the Lynnhurst LARC, Washburn Millers, Southwest Lakers, and many more. Bud himself also loved recreational volleyball, softball, and long distance running as he completed four marathons in Minneapolis and one in Boston.

A funeral will be held at 10 am on August 18, 2023 at Lakewood Memorial Chapel, 3600 Hennepin Ave. S, Minneapolis MN, with a reception immediately following and a private internment. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Bud’s name to The ARC of Minnesota, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association Inc., The American Heart Association, or the Minnesota Disability Law Center, a project of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid.

Bud Rosenfield was intelligent, caring, and brought joy to the lives of those around him. He will be remembered in the hearts of his family and friends.