Chris Edmund Rossman

Unassuming on the outside to casual acquaintances, but a powerfully intellectual lawyer and deeply caring family man to those who knew him well, Chris E. Rossman passed peacefully in his sleep on April 13th in Sarasota, Florida. He was a lifetime Michigan resident, having been born and growing up in Lansing, and then residing in and around Oakland County, before retiring to Florida in 2016. His father was a Michigan State University professor and scientist, while his mother was an accomplished artist, instilling in him a lifetime love of learning and appreciation for the creative arts, which he has passed on to his family. Academically and professionally, Chris was an absolute standout and became one of the nation’s leading health care merger attorneys. He embarked on a brilliant career following graduation from Wayne State University Law School (J.D. magna cum laude), and before that Michigan State University (B.A. with high honors). Chris practiced law for two of Detroit’s finest law firms, first at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn (now Honigman LLP) and then at Foley Lardner, LLP. Over the course of his career, he built a substantial national health care practice, concentrating in the fields of mergers and acquisitions, reimbursement and payment, and compliance. He was lead attorney in over 20 large merger and acquisition transactions concerning various types of health providers throughout the nation. Chris was an active member of the State Bar of Michigan Health Law Section, past chairman of the Reimbursement and Payment Substantive Law Committee of the American Health Lawyers Association, and a frequent keynote speaker and trade publication contributor, all of which left an indelible mark on the legal profession. Chris also gave back to his community in a major way as an influential leader of the arts in Metropolitan Detroit. Most notably, he was chairman of the Detroit Chamber Music Society for almost a quarter of a century. Under his stewardship, the Society attracted a veritable who’s who of performers, including Joshua Bell, the Shanghai Quartet, Yo-Yo Ma, and many others. He was also an avid golfer, belonging initially to Twin Beach Country Club in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and then Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, as well as Pinehurst in North Carolina. He was also a member of the fabled Detroit Athletic Club. While at Michigan State, Chris played flute in the University Orchestra, and after graduation remained a loyal Spartans fan, while closely following Detroit’s professional sports teams. A highly devoted family man, Chris is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Judy, and children Mark (Alana) and Jonathan. Surviving step-children are Michelle (John) Wagner-Gutowski, Michael (Jenny) Wagner. Also surviving are brother David (Patty) of Buckhead, Georgia, and sister Janet (Bill) Rossman Giusti of Greenwich, Connecticut. Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Jean Rossman of East Lansing, and step-daughter Jennifer (Timothy) Bennett Hamilton. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren. Chris was also very devoted to his cockapoo, Benjie, who was always at his side as a faithful companion. A memorial service is scheduled for a later date in Michigan.

Chris Edmund Rossman

October 13, 1950 - April 12, 2025