David E. Rotigel

1937 - 2017

Dr. David Emery Rotigel, 79, of Bonita Springs, Fla., formerly of Greensburg and Indiana, Pa., died Monday, Nov. 6, 2017. He was born Nov. 10, 1937, in Detroit, Mich., son of the late Joseph and Fern M. Emery Rotigel. He was married to Jennifer Vickers Rotigel, of Greensburg, on Nov. 14, 1981, and they had 36 wonderful years together that included raising six children. Dave enjoyed living in the country and was an avid gardener, house builder, hunter, woodworker and lover of all things mechanical. Dave received his doctoral degree in Philosophy of Education from the University of Illinois. He served as a professor for 39 years, first at the University of Indiana and subsequently at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was chair of the Foundations of Education Department and coordinator of the Langley/IUP Urban Teaching Center in Pittsburgh. He was an active professional and made many presentations and published many professional articles. Dave was a gifted educator and enjoyed mentoring novice teachers. Dave was a loving husband and father who was very involved with his children and their activities. He served as Packmaster of Cub Scout Troup 212 in Delmont for a number of years and coached his sons' dek hockey and baseball teams. He was also active in the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education. An active member of the Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association, he enjoyed repairing and restoring antique farm equipment, especially Hit and Miss Engines. He loved attending engine shows all over the country and showing his many engines and tractors. Dave was widely sought for his expertise and experience and was instrumental in several large projects to preserve the historical nature of the equipment he loved. Dave was internationally known and kept in touch with his engine friends around the world. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Vickers Rotigel, of Bonita Springs, Fla.; children, Seely Emery (Tammy) Rotigel, of Kalamazoo, Mich., David John (Misty) Rotigel, of York, Todd Michael (Tina O'Hara) Rotigel, of Mt. Pulaski, Ill., Pedro Martin (Marisa) Bidegaray, of Miami, Fla., Daniel Leslie (Brigid) Rotigel, of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Michael Steven Rotigel, of North Fort Myers, Fla.; a granddaughter, Sydney Rotigel-Finegan; a grandson, Pedro Julian Bidegaray; sister-in-law, Julie (James) Etling, of Greensburg; a nephew, Alex (Kiley) Etling, of New York, N.Y.; and a niece, Emily Etling, of Washington, D.C.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Entombment with full military honors accorded by the VFW Post 33 will follow at St. Clair Cemetery, Greensburg.
For online condolences, visit BarnhartFuneralHome.com.