Rolf Edward Sartorius passed away on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on January 15, 2014.
He was born in Upper Montclair, New Jersey on August 25, 1939. He attended Montclair High and the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated Phi Betta Kappa. He earned his PhD. in philosophy from Princeton University at the age of 25 as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow.
At Princeton he established his lifelong interest in philosophy of law, political philosophy and applied ethics. He went on to teach and publish extensively in these areas. He taught at Wayne State University (1964-1966), Case Western (1966-69) and the University of Minnesota from 1969 until 1984, when he retired as an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy.
He was the author of Individual Conduct and Social Norms, editor of several volumes of philosophical papers and was invited to address conferences on political philosophy in the United States and Israel. He hosted a symposium on paternalism at Lutsen Resort in 1980.
Rolf is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kay McCormick Sartorius; his son Rolf Jr. and wife, Pat Hanscom Sartorius; daughter Barbara Sartorius Bjelland and husband Mark Bjelland; and grandchildren Caroline and Rolf Jacob Sartorius, Devin and Camilla Bjelland.
Rolf and Kay owned shares in a Sea Villa at Lutsen Resort before buying a home on Cascade Beach Road, Lutsen. They were active members at Superior National Golf Course. They and their family and friends spent many happy times there before he and Kay moved to Hilton Head.
During his retirement Rolf was an amateur radio operator as well as a serious stamp collector. He also built model ships and railroads.
Rolf and Kay continued to return to Lutsen for summer stays until Rolf ’s recent courageous but unsuccessful bout with lung cancer and COPD.
Rolf ’s family had a private gathering to honor his memory on Sunday, January 19 at Shipyard Plantation, Hilton Head.
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