Obituary for Stephen Michael Rothrock
Stephen Michael Rothrock, of Westfield Drive in Holliston, died of a heart attack on the evening of April 28th. He was 68. Steve was a devoted husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, and friend who brought a can-do attitude to life and made wonderful friends everywhere that he went. Steve and Debbie moved to Holliston, MA in 2018, and they have been very happy living closer to their only daughter, Kimberly Boyd, who lives with her husband, Steve Boyd, and their children Emily and Matthew in Wellesley.
Steve was born October 4th, 1951 in Witpane Village, PA, the son of John and Margaret “Mickey” (Knight) Rothrock. He is survived by his two brothers, John Rothrock of Columbus, Ohio and David Rothrock of Fairplay, CO, and his two sisters, Debbie (Rothrock) Pfueller of Warminster, PA and Tracy (Rothrock) Kulaga of Perkasie, PA. Steve was active in sports and was a committed Eagle Scout. As he got older, he and his older brother, John, enjoyed the rock music of the time, and Steve loved to tell stories of his trip to Woodstock.
Steve attended Catholic University where he studied chemical engineering and competed fiercely as a member of the men’s basketball team. One evening at Catholic University, he met Debbie Sawin through her brother, Jim, a close friend. On the third day of knowing her, he asked her to marry him and she said yes! He transferred to Manhattan College to be near Debbie, and they began their married life in Williamstown, NJ. Steve’s work for Mobil Corporation and JMJ Associates led him and their family around the world, including living in Fairfax (VA), Beaumont (TX), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and London (England). Steve’s work put his leadership strengths to great use as he managed complex projects to completion with an ardent focus on worker safety. His work with energy companies, on civil infrastructure projects, with the aerospace industry, and with cultural institutions has touched many lives. He was perhaps most excited by his work with the Tacoma National Bridge, the British Museum, and NASA. After a meaningful career, they were fortunate to retire first to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where they had enjoyed many summers with their family and friends before creating a home in Holliston (MA).
Debbie and Steve have been married for 43 years. Steve loved his wife deeply, and they were almost always side-by-side. Steve was an amazing father, his daughter’s biggest cheerleader, and he was so happy when she met Steve Boyd in 2005. He adored their grandchildren, and he delighted in having Matthew and Emily to their house for sleepovers, to go swimming, to make improvements to the treehouse, and to build wooden toys with him. In his spare time, Steve had lots of hobbies. Steve was a passionate collector, and while he leaves us with many butterflies, intricate boxes, and pens, what he truly prized was his vast collection of friends. He loved deep sea fishing, enjoyed daily walks with Debbie, and was an avid New England sports fan. He had an infectious enthusiasm for life, and a smile, a story, and a helping hand for everyone he came across. Steve was a larger than life figure, but people were drawn to his warmth, sincerity, and kindness. Steve and Debbie have always been active members of their church communities, and they are parishioners of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holliston.
Steve lived life to the fullest and made the most of every day God gave him. Steve was unafraid to tell his family and friends how much they meant to him and how much he loved them, for which we are all very grateful. Steve will be forever remembered by his wife (Debbie), his daughter (Kim), his son-in-law (Steve), his brothers and sisters (John, Debbie, Tracy and David), his brother-in-law and his wife (Jim and Mary), his grandchildren (Emily and Matthew), and many nieces and nephews. There will be a small private gathering at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Needham on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association.
Steve was born October 4th, 1951 in Witpane Village, PA, the son of John and Margaret “Mickey” (Knight) Rothrock. He is survived by his two brothers, John Rothrock of Columbus, Ohio and David Rothrock of Fairplay, CO, and his two sisters, Debbie (Rothrock) Pfueller of Warminster, PA and Tracy (Rothrock) Kulaga of Perkasie, PA. Steve was active in sports and was a committed Eagle Scout. As he got older, he and his older brother, John, enjoyed the rock music of the time, and Steve loved to tell stories of his trip to Woodstock.
Steve attended Catholic University where he studied chemical engineering and competed fiercely as a member of the men’s basketball team. One evening at Catholic University, he met Debbie Sawin through her brother, Jim, a close friend. On the third day of knowing her, he asked her to marry him and she said yes! He transferred to Manhattan College to be near Debbie, and they began their married life in Williamstown, NJ. Steve’s work for Mobil Corporation and JMJ Associates led him and their family around the world, including living in Fairfax (VA), Beaumont (TX), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and London (England). Steve’s work put his leadership strengths to great use as he managed complex projects to completion with an ardent focus on worker safety. His work with energy companies, on civil infrastructure projects, with the aerospace industry, and with cultural institutions has touched many lives. He was perhaps most excited by his work with the Tacoma National Bridge, the British Museum, and NASA. After a meaningful career, they were fortunate to retire first to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where they had enjoyed many summers with their family and friends before creating a home in Holliston (MA).
Debbie and Steve have been married for 43 years. Steve loved his wife deeply, and they were almost always side-by-side. Steve was an amazing father, his daughter’s biggest cheerleader, and he was so happy when she met Steve Boyd in 2005. He adored their grandchildren, and he delighted in having Matthew and Emily to their house for sleepovers, to go swimming, to make improvements to the treehouse, and to build wooden toys with him. In his spare time, Steve had lots of hobbies. Steve was a passionate collector, and while he leaves us with many butterflies, intricate boxes, and pens, what he truly prized was his vast collection of friends. He loved deep sea fishing, enjoyed daily walks with Debbie, and was an avid New England sports fan. He had an infectious enthusiasm for life, and a smile, a story, and a helping hand for everyone he came across. Steve was a larger than life figure, but people were drawn to his warmth, sincerity, and kindness. Steve and Debbie have always been active members of their church communities, and they are parishioners of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Holliston.
Steve lived life to the fullest and made the most of every day God gave him. Steve was unafraid to tell his family and friends how much they meant to him and how much he loved them, for which we are all very grateful. Steve will be forever remembered by his wife (Debbie), his daughter (Kim), his son-in-law (Steve), his brothers and sisters (John, Debbie, Tracy and David), his brother-in-law and his wife (Jim and Mary), his grandchildren (Emily and Matthew), and many nieces and nephews. There will be a small private gathering at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Needham on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association.