Hamilton "Rocky" Rothrock

I was thinking of you tonight. Here on this mountain in the Smokies. I think you would like it here. I wish you could see the Lunar Moths everywhere and know... I am here because of you. Literally. This mountain and the wilderness that abounds was your gift to me. Thank you. Miss you, Dad.

Rocky Rothrock was my first boss at Bell Labs. He was a perfect gentleman. He made me feel comfortable at Bell Labs when I was in awe working at a high-tech lab! Although very highly accomplished by his education and his work, he had a extremely simple demeanor - no unnecessary pomp! I knew he was an outdoors man. The way he breathed his last, at a location viewing what he cherished so much in his life, is so touching! My humble respects to this nice man and condolences to his family and...

I know Hamilton only through the loving words and pride of his son Steve, but I would have loved to meet this fascinating man.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rocky at Echo Lake Camp, Maine, back in 2009. We discovered that the river he rowed upon most mornings was the same river I gazed out at during my workday. I vowed to meet him back in Red Bank for some lessons and was really hoping to do that this summer. I am so sad to hear of his passing, sad that I will not row with Rocky or learn from him this summer when I return to Camp. But he lived a full and passionate life and that is a gift.

I am...

Such a nice memorial service -- a fitting tribute. Is there a creature or remote landscape your father didn't photograph?

I'm another of those who grew up with him in the Beverly Hills part of Alexandria. He might have been a half year ahead of me at George Mason School.

Those stories you-all told of him have me doubting my memory. Because I remember him from early in Boy Scouts as being close to the last boy who would have been expected to become a world-class...

Stephen, like the others who have written, I was touched by your obituary. I was a neighborhood kid, and was privileged to know your Dad in grade school and thru high school, albeit he was in the class behind me. Indeed a smart man, an adventurer and a true soul as you so lovingly captured. My condolences to all the family.
Pete Latimer

I went to GW with Rocky and remember him as being one of the smartest and nicest person in our class. So sorry to hear of his death but agree that he passed on doing what he truly enjoyed and loved. Barbara Hyde Fariss, Prospect, KY

Rocky hired me at Bell Laboratories in 1982 and was my first boss there. He opened up a fabulous career opportunity for me for which I am eternally grateful. While I was away at Univ. of Pennsylvania for gradute school, Rocky stayed in touch, which I learned from my peers was rather uncommon among managers. Of course, it was part of Rocky's character to nurture and coach the next generation.
I did not work for Rocky long after returning from graduate school, because of the perennial...