Robert B. Rottinghaus |
White Funeral Home Cedar Falls – Robert Bernard Rottinghaus, 91, formerly of Jesup died Sunday, March 29, 2015, at the Western Home Communities Assisted Living in Cedar Falls. Mr. Rottinghaus was born May 22, 1923, on the family farm near Lacona, Iowa, twin son of John and Ella (Dittmer) Rottinghaus. He married Doris Cavanaugh on October 29, 1946, in Blessing, Iowa. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Gilbertville since his family moved to the area when he was six years old. He graduated from Immaculate Conception Grade School and attended Sacred Heart High School in Waterloo for part of his freshman year. He left school to help on the family farm. He was a member of the 4-H Club for 10 years. He served in Okinawa in the Navy during WWII, along with his identical twin brother, Roderick, who passed away in 1949. Robert belonged to the church choir for over 65 years, was a member of American Legion Post 714, a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree, and a past member of Catholic Order of Foresters. Robert and Doris lived and farmed in the Gilbertville/Jesup area until Dec., 2011 when they moved to Western Home Communities Assisted Living in Cedar Falls. Along with farming, feeding livestock, and raising 13 children, Robert started CleverTech, Inc. in the early 1980’s a business to sell his farm aid inventions. This business resulted in several U.S. Patents. He is survived by his wife, Doris of Cedar Falls; four daughters, Janice (Don) Sherman of Morton, IL, Donna (Tim) Cunningham of Cedar Rapids, Patty (Gene) Brandt of Dike, Kay (Wally) Riney of Newton; nine sons, Dennis (Marleen) of La Porte City, Joe (Sherry) of Mesa, AZ, Bob (Darleen) of McGregor, Kevin (Fiancé, Terry Corder) of Callender, Rick (Mona), Chuck (Rhonda), and Stan, all of Waterloo, Keith (Jane) and Lee (Deb) all of Jesup; 33 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 15 step-great grandchildren; one brother, Alvin (Colletta) and one sister-in-law, Marie Rottinghaus. He is preceded in death by his parents; one stillborn son, Raymond; three brothers, Roderick, Firmin (Alma) and Gilbert; two sisters, Alice Rottinghaus, Mercedes (Robert) Schrier; one grandson and one great-grandson. |