About Joseph Rosenfield
Lived 1904 – 2000 (aged 96). Joseph Rosenfield was an American lawyer.
Joseph Frankel Rosenfield (May 16, 1904 – June 7, 2000) was an American lawyer and businessman.
Rosenfield graduated from Grinnell College in 1925 and earned a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1928. He practiced law with a Des Moines law firm until 1947. Upon the death of his father Meyer Rosenfield in 1929, Rosenfield became the head of Younkers department store, which had merged with his family's retail business, and retired in 1964 as president and chairman of the board.
His work for Harold Hughes' election landed him on the master list of Nixon political opponents.
Rosenfield and his sister, Louise Noun, helped finance the Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District to promote free speech among students protesting the Vietnam War.
His friendships with Warren Buffett and Robert Noyce were key factors in the growth of Grinnell College's endowment during his time as a Grinnell College trustee. Buffett described Rosenfield as an "extraordinarily generous and smart man" and father figure: "I'd never have wanted to replace my real father—but if after my dad's death I could have adopted Joe as my father, I would have."
In addition, Rosenfield was at one time chief minority stakeholder in the Chicago Cubs.
The Joe Rosenfield '25 Center at Grinnell College acts as a general campus center, containing the student cafeteria, administrative offices, and classrooms.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Joseph Rosenfield's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Joseph Rosenfield's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Joseph Rosenfield?
American lawyer (1904-2000)
When was Joseph Rosenfield born?
Joseph Rosenfield was born on 16 May 1904.
When did Joseph Rosenfield die?
Joseph Rosenfield died on 7 June 2000.
What was Joseph Rosenfield's occupation?
Joseph Rosenfield was a lawyer.
What nationality was Joseph Rosenfield?
Joseph Rosenfield was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Joseph Rosenfield
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Joseph Rosenfield. https://biography.guide/joseph-rosenfield/
MLA: "Joseph Rosenfield." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joseph-rosenfield/.
Chicago: "Joseph Rosenfield." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joseph-rosenfield/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:21 UTC