Professor Momčilo Rosić, 105, died peacefully in his Glenview home on January 7, 2022. Born on February 12, 1916 in Glušci near Šabac in Serbia to father Stevan and mother Miljana Rosić.

He is survived by one son, George (Mary) of Evanston, Illinois; two grandsons: Nicholas (Valerie) of Broomfield, Colorado and Gregory (Rocio) of Milton, NH. He is also survived by six great grandsons: Oliver, Callan and Evan in Colorado and Daniel, Aaron and Jonathan in New Hampshire. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Loni.

Momčilo Rosić had a full and remarkable life. He was born during the midst of the fighting near the Serbian front with Austria in World War I. Following graduation from the Royal Military Academy in Belgrade he was commissioned an Army officer in 1937. Among his many accomplishments was participation in the March 27, 1941 coup d’état which brought a pro-Allied government to Yugoslavia. Momčilo Rosić was captured by the German Army when it invaded Yugoslavia in 1941 shortly thereafter, and spent four years in German POW camp. He escaped near the end of the war as Allied troops were approaching his camp, and later served as an officer under American and British commands to bring order to the area near Osnabruck in northwest Germany after the war ended. It was here that he met his wife.

Professor Rosić obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Bonn, Germany in 1950 and emigrated to the United States in 1951. He was a professor of Russian Language and Literature at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois from 1959 to 1986. Following retirement he and his wife Loni moved to Glenview to be near his son and grandchildren.

Professor Rosić was very beloved by many of his college students. He enjoyed teaching the classics in the Russian language, particularly Tolstoy and Dostoevsky.
One of his students commented: “He taught me so much, including how to approach life. His stories revealed a remarkable capacity to accept what is, to be grateful for the good things that come one's way, and to maintain a positive attitude. The challenges and difficulties he faced never embittered him or bred pessimism. He loved life, living it to its fullest. This was obvious in the twinkle in his eyes and his ready smile. He also struck me as a remarkable observer of the human condition. He could see himself among others in a kind way. He had a one-of-a-kind sense of humor.”

One of the sayings he most liked to communicate to his family was from the 1950’s song Que Sera Sera, “Whatever will be will be; The future’s not ours to see.”

The value of education was very important to Momčilo Rosić. He took great pride in his academic degree as well as the advanced degrees his son and grandsons received in law, applied mathematics and medicine, respectively.

Opelo (Serbian Orthodox Funeral Service) will take place on Saturday, January 15, 2022 - 12 noon at The New Gračanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery, 35240 W Grant Ave, Third Lake, IL 60046.

Interment Most Holy Mother of God Cemetery.

Following interment, Daća (Serbian Orthodox Memorial Luncheon), will be served at the monastery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery, PO Box 371, Grayslake, IL 60030 (mailing address), or Knox College, Attention Library Fund, c/o Knox College, Office of Advancement, 2 East South Street, Galesburg, IL 61401.