John A. "Jack" Rothenberger

Rothenberger, John A. "Jack" Age 83, of Phoenix, MI, and a resident of Houghton County Medical Care Facility, passed away on Wednesday August 15, 2012. Born on February 24, 1929 in Cleveland, OH, he was the son of Arthur John and Agnes (Huebner) Rothenberger. Jack was a successful, self-made man. After serving in the U.S. Navy at the Glenview Naval Air Station, he married the love of his life, Connie (Dolores), on August 9, 1947. He worked in the fire protection industry starting in the shop and working his way up to become a Fire Protection Engineer and eventually into sales at Viking Automatic Sprinkler Co. in the Chicago area. He served as President and General Manager for Valley Automatic Sprinkler in Elgin, IL and was co-owner, with Connie, of D & J Design Co. Jack was also committed to volunteering. He started as a volunteer firefighter and became a Deputy Chief on the Carpentersville, IL Volunteer Fire Department for a number of years. He was instrumental in the development of the Emergency Medical Technician program in the mid 1970's himself becoming an EMT II, paramedic. He also served as a polling judge and the liquor commissioner for Keweenaw County. In 1986 he began a labor of love with his wife Connie to restore the family farm built in the mid 1800's by Connie's Great-Grandfather, Frank Hepting. Jack and Connie then permanently moved to the farm in 1992. Jack is now rejoined with his beloved wife of 65 years, Connie (Dolores) who preceded him in death in 2009. He is dearly missed by, and was the loving father of, John (Marilyn) Rothenberger and Wendy (Alan) Smith; grandfather to Michael (deceased), Todd (Tricia), Angela (Dan) Rinaldi, Rebecca Smith, and Erica Smith; great-grandfather to Curtis, Maddie, Tyler, Jessica Rinaldi and Alex Rinaldi; special friend and cousin to Scott and Lori Mills, and beloved friend to Shadow. Jack and his family would like to express many special thanks to his friends and devoted helpers at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility. Donations made in memory of Jack to the Copper Country Humane Society in Houghton, MI would be greatly appreciated. The Erickson Crowley Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowley.com