Rose was born in Circleville, Ohio and graduated from Laurelville High School in 1966.

[1] He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University in 1970, where he was a member of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps from 1966 to 1970.

Upon graduation, he became a second lieutenant in the United States Army Ordnance Corps.

He was a Chief assistant in charge, Civil Division, Greene County Prosecutor's Office, Ohio from 1978 to 1991.

Rose was nominated by President George W. Bush on January 23, 2002, to a seat vacated by Herman Jacob Weber.