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Eugene Rothi

September 14, 1921 - November 23, 2004
Grand Haven, MI

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Visitation

Saturday, November 27, 2004
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Dykstra Funeral Homes
Downtown Holland Chapel
29 East Ninth Street
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-2348
Driving Directions

Service

Sunday, November 28, 2004
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM EST
Dykstra Funeral Homes
Downtown Holland Chapel
29 East Ninth Street
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-2348
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


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Dedication is the best word to capture the essence of Gene Rothi. Never putting himself in front of others, he always asked the question, "What can I do for others?" He found the answer in his roles as a teacher, coach, guidance counselor, and volunteer. An icon of kindness and devotion, he inspired a great many.

With a successful close to the Great War, the American economy boomed through the Roaring Twenties, and the new big band and swing music matched the pulse of this prosperity. Though the unforeseen Great Depression would soon turn the tide of this good fortune, the 1920s are remembered for its luck and prosperity. But for Albert and Gretchen Hall Rothi, luck and prosperity meant something more--it meant the blessing of four boys and happy family.

Their third child, Eugene was born on September 2, 1921 in Faribault, Minnesota where he would spend the first five years of his life. It was in Faribault that Albert operated his own farm, but soon the Great Depression struck and life quickly became uncertain. In the face of a broken economy, the Rothi family lost their farm. It was difficult to find work anywhere, and Albert's search for a job ultimately led him to Grand Haven, Michigan. With a few relatives in Michigan, he had heard of an available job at a piano factory, and thus the Rothis resettled on the Northwest Side of Grand Haven.

It was in Grand Haven that Gene spent most of his childhood. He attended their public schools and involved himself in all kinds of sports, exuding an athletic talent that would show for the rest of his life. His childhood was generally peaceful. He had the company of his brothers Oscar, Arthur, and Martin, and together they often helped their father tend the small farm on their property, where they raised crops to meet the needs of family and neighbors. His father did the gardening, and his mother would set aside some of the vegetation for the homeless in the area. Albert stayed very busy during this time. Beyond the responsibilities of his farm, he also worked the piano job. This was a difficult time for the family, but the hardest challenge came with the unexpected death of Gene's brother Art. He had been accepted to the Coast Guard Academy, but he came down with appendicitis during his travel out there. He died from complications of his illness before reaching the Academy, but Gene always remembered him proudly for the brother that he was and for his honorable acceptance into the Coast Guard.

Like his brother Art, Gene envisioned a future for himself where he would serve his country, and upon graduating from Grand Haven High School in 1940, he entered his training for the Air Force. With the war raging in Europe, he soon came to serve overseas by flying C-47 transport planes filled with Air Force brass in and out of war zones. He served for three years, from 1942 to 1945, which must have felt like an especially long time with his young wife waiting for him at home.

Since Gene was a Methodist, not a Christian Reformed, he wasn't exactly what his girlfriend Ruth's parents had in mind. Eventually, Henry and Nan Casemier decided to look past their denominational differences--but that didn't mean that they expected Ruth to hop on a train to Texas where Gene was stationed and then marry him on July 27, 1943. It was a happy time for Ruth and Gene, though it did make his return to Europe more difficult; meanwhile, Ruth's father was so irate that he went out on his farm and killed 100 chickens. Because he owned a market, chicken was the meat of choice, and he was able to take out his frustrations.

When Gene returned from Europe, he was welcomed by his wife, and they eagerly looked forward to setting up their lives together. He went back to Hope College to finish his degree. Gene then found a job as a schoolteacher in Grandville, where he would work for three years until 1949. At that time, he returned to Grand Haven to teach English and History and also work in the Guidance Office. For the next thirty-four years, this was his job, though he also spent a lot of his time contributing to the school as their football, basketball, and tennis coaches. In his first season as the head football coach (1953-54), he guided the team to a 9-0 undefeated record and a state championship. In the sixty-five year history of football in Grand Haven, Gene continues to hold the most impressive coaching record: 57 wins, 18 ties, and just six losses. One of the proudest moments in Gene's sports life came fifty years after his football team went undefeated, when he and his players got together for a big reunion. It was September 10, 2004, at Buccaneer Stadium. All the coaches and players were honored at half-time of the game.

Beyond the services he provided for Grand Haven Senior High, Gene also kept himself very active in the community. His faith continued to play a central role in his life, and thus Gene was a member, former elder, deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Second Christian Reformed Church. In an endeavor to make athletics easily available to the community, he was past president of YMCA during the time that the decision was made to build the YMCA. Gene was in charge of the study which led to the Ottawa County Career Line Tech Center. He was past president and board member of Christian Haven Home, Charter Chairman of Wigginton Foundation, served on the Education Committee of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, was the regional director of the Luke Society for 23 years. He also was a Michigan High School Basketball Official for many years and received special recognition from the State of Michigan. He was a former member of Kiwanis Club, the MEA and NEA, and a veteran of World War II. He also was a member of the Charles A. Conklin Post #28 where he served on the scholarship committee in 1955. In 1956, the people of Grand Haven saw Gene's great dedication and potential for the community; he was honored as the Man of the Year as well as the Administrator of the Year.

When it came time for retirement, Gene continued to do his best to help out his community. He volunteered with counseling programs and played a key role in setting up a full time counseling center for students at West Michigan Christian High School. He was involved in Love, Inc., where he drove many people to doctor appointments and other errands. He also spent some time with the inner city school districts, where his daughter Nancy taught, helping children read.

Gene had many pass-times and hobbies that he enjoyed. He liked tennis and table tennis, and he closely followed all high school, college, and professional sports. He loved to fish and held many fish fries for friends and family. When he sat in front of the television, he was usually watching a sporting event, though he sometimes tuned into "In the Heat of the Night." He liked to listen to the big band music of his era, especially the stylings of Glen Miller, and he carried an interest for history, genealogy, and the outdoors. Always proud of his Norwegian heritage, one of Gene's favorite trips was to Lillehammer where he attended the Winter Olympics with his son Pat, after his cousin managed to procure a few tickets. He stayed in the same area as Olympic skater Scott Hamilton.

Always an active and inspiring member in his community, Gene was again recognized by Grand Haven in the year 2002. He was selected as one of their 100 Stars, for all of his time and dedication to the community and its children.

Gene died on November 23, 2004 at North Ottawa Community Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife, and is survived by 2 daughters, Sharon Yonker of Grand Haven and Nancy (Jack) Misner of Lowell; 2 sons, Mike (Kerry) Rothi of Ferrysburg; Pat (Ellen) Rothi of Lawton; 8 grandchildren, Kim (Shawn) Schrader, Marci Yonker, Lyndsey Yonker, Trisha (Matt) Leighton,Kris (Brian) Nogar, Nathan Livingston, Jack Livingston and Patrick Misner; 6 great grandchildren; Rebekah Schrader, Parker Leighton, Kennedy Leighton, Karson Leighton, Madison Nogar, and Cameron Nogar; and Layne (the dog) and Sister-in-law, Marge Rothi, of Phoenix, AZ; many sister and brothers-in-law, Marge Borst, Dorothy Boyink, Pete and Nina Klaassen, Jerry and Pat Wolffis, Harry and Betty Bosscher, Barbara Casemier, Pricilla Pedersen, and Bud and Marilyn Casemier. He was preceded in death by his son in law, Walter Yonker in 1987 and his brothers, Oscar, Arthur, and Martin Rothi. Services are scheduled for Sunday, November 28, 2004, 1:30PM, at Second Christian Reformed Church, 2021 Sheldon Rd., Grand Haven. Officiating will be the Revs. Eugene Los and Edward Tamminga. Burial will be at Lake Forest Cemetery. Military rights by the American Legion Charles A. Conklin. Visitation will be Saturday, from 3-5, and 7-9PM, at the church. Memorial Contributions may be made to Christian Haven Home, or Hospice of North Ottawa.

Gene’s ability to bring out the very best in students, athletes, and people will not be forgotten. Most of all...he was a true gentleman in the true sense of the word. He was the exemplification of class and living life to it’s fullest. All who new him will miss his unwavering devotion to his faith, family, and friends. He has provided a lasting example for everyone to follow and a legacy of a man who lived what he believed. Please visit Gene’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory, sign the guestbook, or to send flowers.

Arrangements are by David J. Klaassen, Nephew.