Jeffrey Alan Rouze, 1952–2024
Jeffrey “Jeff” Rouze ’74, MS’77 was born in 1952 in Rockford, IL, to the late Ellen (née Korpi) and Robert Rouze, a Finnish-American family. He grew up in Racine, WI, and graduated from UW–Madison with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the nascent real estate program under Professor Graaskamp.
After years of working in insurance and real estate, Jeff led a wave of historic preservation in Hollywood. He managed the renovations of the El Capitan Theater after the Northridge Earthquake, working with the CUNA Insurance Group and Disney. This included revitalizing the theater and space next door, from where The Late Show with Jimmy Kimmel now airs. With his tireless devotion to the conservation of Hollywood, he next led revitalization of the historic Hillview Apartments.
Over the years, Jeff served in numerous leadership roles in Hollywood including: the Chamber of Commerce, Historic Trust, Entertainment District, Heritage, and more. In 2005, he was named Real Estate Pioneer by the L.A. Business Journal, honored with several Who’s Who awards, and presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Later in life, he devoted himself to service at the Palisades Preschool, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and various veteran support organizations.
Jeff was an extremely proud Badger and a lifelong supporter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. He was a resident of the L.A. area for over 25 years and thrilled to support when the Badgers played at the Rose Bowl. He comes from a whole family of Madison graduates and students including: sister Christine Rouze ’73, niece Kimberly Rouze ’13, daughter Mirabelle (Rouze) x’14, niece Elizabeth Rouze x’16. Along with many other family members in the wider UW system.
He is survived by his daughters Mirabelle Fall and Sophia Rouze; siblings Christine, Randy (Katie), Steven (Kathy) Rouze, and Colleen (Steve) Gottschalk; along with cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Private family services for Jeff will be held at a later date. He will be laid to rest at West Lawn Memorial Park in Racine, WI, next to his loving parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Entertainment Community Fund or the Wisconsin School of Business DEI Scholarship Fund (112172300).
