Remembering long-time staff member Karen Romoser

Members of the Case Western Reserve University community are mourning the loss of Karen Elaine Romoser, a dedicated colleague, accomplished technologist and passionate advocate whose work and influence touched countless people. Romoser passed away in early June at the age of 69 after serving the university for nearly two decades.

Romoser joined Case Western Reserve University in 2007 and helped build and maintain the digital systems that support the university's daily operations. She started as an analyst programmer with enrollment management before transitioning to a senior applications architect role.

"Karen moved through multiple departments and roles throughout her time at the university, bringing her expertise, curiosity and commitment to every position she held," said Lee Zickel, director of enterprise applications, CRM, ECM and RPA in [U]Tech. "She was an indispensable architect of the digital infrastructure at the university."

Much of Romoser’s career was dedicated to building and supporting the university's OnBase system, managing critical backend processes relied upon by departments across campus, including human resources, financial aid, procurement, enrollment and student employment. Her work often happened behind the scenes, but its impact was felt throughout the institution every day.

"Karen was widely recognized and deeply respected both internally and with the clients we supported for her honesty, sincerity and constant willingness to collaborate,” Zickel said. "I will be ever grateful for her authenticity and directness.”

Romoser’s colleagues remember not only her technical expertise but also her relentless dedication to helping others. She routinely worked beyond normal business hours to resolve issues and ensure university systems continued operating smoothly. According to coworkers, it was not uncommon to receive emails from Romoser in the middle of the night as she worked through a problem or responded to a request.

"She consistently went out of her way, at literally all hours, to resolve issues and address urgent Help Desk tickets," Zickel said.

Romoser was equally committed to helping others grow. She believed strongly in sharing knowledge and providing guidance so colleagues could develop confidence and independence in their own roles. A fierce advocate for women, Romoser supported female colleagues whenever possible.

"Many times, she was the most technically savvy person in the room of an often male-dominated profession," said Kristie Lillibridge, director of enrollment operations.

Known for her sharp analytical mind and distinctive sense of humor, Romoser approached complex challenges with creativity and insight. Even as technology evolved, she championed thoughtful oversight and accountability. One of her favorite reminders was: "Someone needs to monitor the monitoring."

In both her professional and personal life, Romoser demonstrated a love for learning and exploration. A native Clevelander and graduate of Rocky River High School, she studied biology at Oberlin College, earned an interior design degree from Cuyahoga Community College, attended both Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University, and later completed an MBA from the University of Findlay. She enjoyed visiting national parks and was deeply devoted to rescuing, breeding and showing horses.

Romoser’s legacy lives on through the systems she built, the colleagues she mentored and the countless members of the university community who benefited from her dedication, expertise and unwavering commitment.

Read Romoser’s formal obituary.

Students who would like support during this time are encouraged to contact University Health and Counseling Services at 216.368.5872 or schedule an appointment online through MyHealthConnect, or access 24/7 online support through TimelyCare. Faculty and staff counseling services are available through AllOne Health, the university’s Employee Assistance Provider, at 800.227.6007 or online.