Robert C. Rotterman Sr.

Robert C. Rotterman, Sr., passed away peacefully at The Carlyle House in Kettering, Ohio on Wednesday March 5, 2014. He died the way he lived, with strength and dignity. He was surrounded by family as he made his journey home.

Bob is survived by his wife, Doris Smedley Rotterman. His 4 children: Mike (Jan) Rotterman, Barb (Jack) Grobmyer, Bob (Brenda) Rotterman, Mary Ann (Vincent) Porreca, 9 grandchildren: Michael (Dena) Rotterman, Annie (Lee) Ramey, Jenny (Chris) Caldwell, Matthew (Meghann) Rotterman, Katie Grobmyer, Bob (Paula) Grobmyer, Maggie Rotterman, Chris McNew, Jennifer McNew (Chris Rodney), 13 great grandchildren: John C., Alex & Eli Caldwell, Connor & Ellie Rotterman, Hailey West, Caleigh & Chloe Ramey, Norah & Max Rotterman, Karen, Esther & Felicity Grobmyer. His stepdaughter Claire (Jack) Dwyer, 4 stepgrandchildren: Amy (Mike) Delaplain, Stacy (Neil) Baumeyer, Cyndi (Jason) Parsons, David (Jenn) Dwyer, 5 stepgreatgrandchildren: Nicholas, Alexis & Hope Baumeyer, Julia & Joshua Lieberg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Catherine Lawrence Rotterman and his sister Dorothy Coover.

Bob was born March 24, 1922 to Charles and Edith Miller Rotterman. He grew up in South Park with his lifetime buddies, Jerry King, Dr. Richard Miller (Pete) and Gene Robinson. They went to Holy Angels Grade School and from there Bob and Richard attended Chaminade and graduated in the Class of 1940. Bob was proud that he earned the $25 tuition fee to Chaminade by delivering both the morning and evening papers.

Bob participated in the first Soap Box Derby held in Dayton. He made his own cart with scraps of lumber and parts. His friend, Jerry was his starter who pushed him down Burkhardt Hill.

Bob was an avid U.D. fan and as young men he and Richard helped line the U.D. football field in order to get in free to the games. He later had season tickets to U.D. basketball and was a regular attendee over the course of his life.

Bob fell in love with tennis at the age of twelve. He was a player/coach at Chaminade. Bob was proud to be invited to participate in the dedication of the new tennis courts at Chaminade in 2011. As a participant he was invited to serve one of the first balls on the new courts. Other tennis accomplishments include: captain of the intramural team at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and was a member of the D.I.A.A. league where he served many years as secretary and was inducted in the D.I.A.A. Hall of Fame. Bob played in the league for 50 years and he was extremely proud that his team won every year.

Bob enlisted in the Navy during WWII and served his country with pride from Oct. 24, 1942 to Oct. 6, 1945. During the Philippine Invasion, Bob's ship, the Abner Read served as General McArthur's escort. The Abner Read ended up being the first destroyer sunk by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft on Nov. 1, 1944. Despite heavy losses, Bob survived even though it was mistakenly reported in the Journal Herald that he was killed in action. Bob eventually returned to the states and was assigned to a ship in New York Harbor. It was during that time that he met his first wife, Catherine M. (Kay) Lawrence whom he married in 1947. Kay preceded him in death in 1972. Bob married Doris Wilt Smedley in 1979 and they had 34 happy years together.

Bob was an electrical engineer for 39 years at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. After retirement Bob pursued many hobbies, including woodworking, gardening and working with stained glass. He took great pride in his work and made many pieces for his family to cherish. Retirement also afforded Bob and Doris the opportunity to spend many winters in Bradenton, Florida.

Bob cherished his faith and passed that gift onto his family. He was a founding member of The Church of the Ascension in Kettering where he served on many committees and coached CYO basketball.

Bob's family wants to thank the entire staff at The Carlyle House for all the love and care they provided during the last five months of his life. Bob loved his new home and his family appreciated the compassion that was shown to him by his caretakers and Hospice of Dayton at the end of his journey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the The Alzheimer's Association of Miami Valley, 31 W. Whipp Rd., Dayton, OH 45459 or Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420.

Visitation at Newcomer Funeral Home (South Chapel), 3940 Kettering Blvd., Kettering, OH 45439 on Monday, March 10, 2014 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Funeral Mass will be held at The Church of the Ascension, 2025 Woodman Dr., Kettering, OH 45420 on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 10:30am. Burial at Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors.